kids encyclopedia robot

Cohutta, Georgia facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Cohutta, Georgia
Town hall
Town hall
Location in Whitfield County and the state of Georgia
Location in Whitfield County and the state of Georgia
Country United States
State Georgia
County Whitfield
Area
 • Total 4.92 sq mi (12.73 km2)
 • Land 4.92 sq mi (12.73 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
863 ft (263 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 764
 • Density 155.44/sq mi (60.02/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
30710
Area code(s) 706/762
FIPS code 13-17496
GNIS feature ID 0331428

Cohutta (/kəˈhʌtə/) is a small town in Whitfield County, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Dalton area. In 2020, about 764 people lived there.

History of Cohutta

The town of Cohutta has a rich history, especially because of its connection to the railroad. It started as a stop on the train line between Cleveland, Tennessee, and Dalton, Georgia. This made it an important place for transportation and trade for nearby farms.

The Name "Shakerag"

Local stories say the town was first called "Shakerag." This name came from how people would wave a rag to signal trains to stop. It was a simple way to catch a ride!

Life in the Early 1900s

In the 1920s, Cohutta was a busy place. It had a bank, a hotel, and even a high school. People from Chattanooga would visit in the summer to enjoy the cooler weather. Sadly, the high school burned down in 1952 and was not rebuilt.

Changes Over Time

By the late 1960s, Cohutta still had a small supermarket, a few smaller shops, a feed store, and a hair salon. But as roads got better, it became easier for people to drive to bigger cities like Dalton for shopping. This meant many local businesses closed down. By the 1990s, only a hardware store, a general store, and two convenience stores were left.

However, Cohutta has grown in a new way. Many farms around the town have become places for new homes. People now live in Cohutta and often work in Dalton. Even with these changes, Cohutta has always kept its town services. This includes its own police, fire, and sanitation departments.

Cohutta Today

As of 2022, Cohutta still has full town services. It has town clerks, a public works department, and a police department that is open 24/7. The town has about 20 employees working in different roles.

Geography of Cohutta

Cohutta is located at 34°57′33″N 84°57′10″W / 34.95917°N 84.95278°W / 34.95917; -84.95278.

The town covers about 2.5 square miles (6.5 square kilometers) of land. A very small part, about 0.04 square miles (0.1 square kilometers), is water. Cohutta also has 4.2 miles of a state highway (SR-71, also known as Cleveland Highway) within its borders.

Population Information

Historical population
Census Pop.
1890 268
1970 393
1980 407 3.6%
1990 529 30.0%
2000 582 10.0%
2010 661 13.6%
2020 764 15.6%
U.S. Decennial Census

In 2010, there were 661 people living in Cohutta. There were 275 households and 170 families. The population density was about 264 people per square mile (102 people per square kilometer).

Most people in Cohutta are White (95.76%). There are also African American (2.27%), Native American (0.30%), and Asian (0.61%) residents. About 1.97% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

The average age of people in Cohutta in 2010 was 37 years old. About 23% of the population was under 18, and 13.3% were 65 or older.

Culture and Fun in Cohutta

Cohutta is proud of its local attractions and community events.

Red Clay State Historic Park

One important place is the Red Clay State Historic Park. This park is a special meeting ground for Native Americans. It has a museum about the Cherokee people and is a great place for outdoor activities. This area is very important for Cherokee history and Southern heritage.

Cohutta Fish Hatchery

The town is also home to the Cohutta Fish Hatchery. This place used to be run by the U.S. Game and Fish Department. Now, the University of Georgia operates it. The hatchery has a small visitors' center and an aquarium that is open to everyone.

Downtown Revitalization and Events

Since 2019, Cohutta has been working to make its historic downtown area lively again. New family-owned businesses and restaurants have opened, and they have done well even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cohutta also hosts many fun events each year. The biggest is the Town of Cohutta Independence Day Celebration, which brings in over 5,000 visitors! Other yearly events include a street dance, a Ruritan Club Chicken-Q, and a Christmas parade with caroling in the historic downtown area. You can find more information about the town and its events on Cohutta's website.

Notable People from Cohutta

  • Mallary Hope – a singer who performs country and Christian music.
  • Marla Maples – known as the former wife of President-elect Donald Trump.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Cohutta (Georgia) para niños

kids search engine
Cohutta, Georgia Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.