city, Fulton county, northwestern Georgia, U.S., a southwestern suburb of Atlanta. Established as the eastern terminus for the Atlanta and West Point Railroad (completed 1853), it was an important defense post for the South during the American Civil War and was the site of forts and ammunition depots. Now industrialized, its manufactures include textiles, fertilizer, and metal products. Atlanta Christian College was opened there in 1937. Inc. 1887. Pop. (1990) 34,402; (2000) 39,595.