Places near me Random place
All the United States Georgia Marietta Sope Creek Paper Mill Ruins
AO Edited

Sope Creek Paper Mill Ruins

The ruins of a paper mill destroyed during the Civil War still tower over a tributary of the Chattahoochee River.

Marietta, Georgia

Added By
Jesse
Crenelation like battlements overlooking Sope Creek   jessemiers (Atlas Obscura User)
Intact, towering chimney stones.   jessemiers (Atlas Obscura User)
Weathered and mossy stones of the ruins.   jessemiers (Atlas Obscura User)
Enchanting ruins surrounded by the forest.   jessemiers (Atlas Obscura User)
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

During the Battle of Atlanta fought during the American Civil War, Atlanta was famously burned to the ground by Union forces. Residents of the city were forced to rebuild from the ground up. One of the relics left remaining from that conflict are the ruins of the old Marietta Paper Mill along the shores of Sope Creek. 

This paper mill was originally constructed in the 1850s and was destroyed by Union troops during the broader Battle of Atlanta. Emerging from the Civil War, the mill was diligently rebuilt, only to be destroyed once again, this time by an accidental fire.

Today, only a few towering stacks of stone remain, along with a partially standing wall conveying a castle-like, crenelation-filled shell, towering precariously over the adjacent creek. 

The site is part of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and administered by the National Parks Service. The ruins can be easily found along the Sope Creek hiking trail. 

 

Related Tags

Ruins Civil War History & Culture

Know Before You Go

The Sope Creek hiking trail is officially open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. The ruins can be found, fittingly, at the intersection of Paper Mill Road SE and Sope Creek itself. Parking is $5. 

Community Contributors

Added By

jessemiers

Published

March 16, 2021

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources

Nearby Places

Explore the Destination Guide

Related Places

  • Ruins of the church in Dvorine from above.

    Banja, Serbia

    Dvorine

    The remains of a luxurious 14th-century church built by the last despot of Serbia.

  • Dhamnihawa Stupas

    Kapilvastu, Nepal

    Dhamnihawa Stupas

    A pair of stupas that archaeologists believe were built to honor the parents of Siddhartha Gautama (aka Lord Buddha).

  • Birkenhead Priory

    Birkenhead, England

    Birkenhead Priory

    The oldest standing building on Merseyside is special for its rich history as a Benedictine monastery and its unique connection to the origins of the Mersey Ferry.

  • Ruins of a tower, destroyed during the Battle of Bomarsund

    Bomarsund, Åland Islands

    Bomarsund Fortress

    This impressive coastal fortress was destroyed before it was finished.

  • Church of St. Sophia in Nessebar

    Nessebar, Bulgaria

    Hagia Sophia Church

    This fifth-century church is one of the oldest Christian sites in the Balkans.

  • A soloist performing at the amphitheater of Bosra

    Busra, Syria

    Black Amphitheater of Bosra

    One of the world's best-preserved Roman amphitheaters is also one of the most unusual; it's made of black volcanic rock.

  • My Son Santuary temple

    Duy Xuyên District, Vietnam

    My Son Sanctuary

    Showcasing some of the best-preserved temples of the Champa Kingdom.

  • The archaeological site in Sisak, Croatia.

    Sisak, Croatia

    Siscia in Situ

    One of the major cities of Late Roman provinces, now in ruins of small scale.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

See Fewer Ads

Become an Atlas Obscura member and experience far fewer ads

Become a Member