Cassville, Georgia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cassville
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![]() Cassville Museum
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Country | USA |
State | Georgia |
County | Bartow County |
Platted | 1833 |
ZIP code |
30123
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Cassville is a small community in Bartow County, Georgia, in the United States. It's called an "unincorporated community" because it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town.
Cassville was once the most important town in the county. It was even the county seat, which means it was where the main government offices were located. However, during the American Civil War, a Union general named William T. Sherman destroyed Cassville in 1864. After that, the county seat was moved to Cartersville.
Today, Cassville is located between Adairsville and Cartersville, right off U.S. Route 41. Even though it's near the big city area of Atlanta, it still feels like a quiet, small town. You can visit places like the Cassville History Museum and the Cassville Confederate Cemetery to learn more about its past.
Contents
A Look Back: Cassville's History
How Cassville Started
The town of Cassville was officially planned out in 1833. It was chosen to be the main town for Cass County. At that time, it quickly became a busy center for trade and travel. This area was once part of the Cherokee Nation lands. Both the county and the town were named after General Lewis Cass. He was an important politician from Michigan and served as the Secretary of War for President Andrew Jackson. Cassville was the county seat from 1832 to 1861.
The Civil War and Cassville
In 1861, during the Civil War, the town's name was briefly changed to Manassas. This was to celebrate a Confederate victory at the First Battle of Bull Run. However, Cassville faced a tough fate. In 1864, Union General William T. Sherman ordered the town to be burned. It was a devastating event, and Cassville never fully recovered its former size or importance.
During the war, Cassville had several hospitals for Confederate soldiers. About 300 unknown Confederate soldiers who were injured or became sick died in these hospitals. They were buried in the local cemetery. In 1899, a group called the United Daughters of the Confederacy placed special headstones at their graves to honor them.
On May 19, 1864, there were important military movements around Cassville during the Atlanta Campaign. Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston initially planned to fight a major battle here. However, his commanders felt the position wasn't strong enough. So, the Confederate army decided to leave Cassville and move further south. Union forces then took control of the town.
Important Schools in Cassville
Cassville was once a significant place for education in Georgia.
- Cassville Female College: This college for women was founded in 1853. Sadly, it was burned down by Union forces on May 19, 1864, during the Civil War.
- Chapman Hill School: A school for boys opened on Chapman Hill in January 1854. It was a large brick building that burned down in 1856 but was rebuilt in 1857. However, it was also destroyed by Union forces on October 12, 1864. These two colleges were among the first places for higher education in this part of Georgia. Their destruction, along with the burning of Cassville, meant the end of a major educational center.
- Noble Hill Rosenwald School: Built in 1923, this was the first official school for Black children in the Bartow County School System. It closed in 1955 when all schools for Black children in the county were combined into one central school. Today, the restored building is a museum called the Noble Hill-Wheeler Memorial Center. It teaches visitors about Black history and life in Bartow County from the early 1900s until now.
Famous People from Cassville
- Barry Loudermilk: He is a U.S. Congressman who represents Georgia's 11th congressional district.
- Brigadier General William T. Wofford: A Confederate general who is buried in Cassville. He was known for surrendering the last remaining Confederate troops east of the Mississippi River in nearby Kingston.