The History of Norcross

Georgia’s first rail tracks were laid in the mid-1830′s, and during the years of post-Civil War Reconstruction, rail expansion led to town expansion.  In 1869, Atlanta entrepreneur J.J. Thrasher purchased 250 acres around the first stop north along the proposed Richmond Danville lines, and a year later, the area was incorporated. Thrasher named the new town for his good friend and fellow entrepreneur, Jonathan Norcross, who was also the fourth mayor of Atlanta.

As years passed, the town of Norcross grew to become known as “Atlanta’s Favorite Summer Resort”, a destination for Atlantans who rode the train north to escape the hot dry summer conditions of the city. Here, they could enjoy lakeside camping, or stay at one of the town’s three luxury hotels. Norcross was a thriving community whose economic growth was fueled by area farms and mercantile business, and the mainstay presence of the trains.

With well over 100 years of history, Norcross offers a rich abundance of stories and tales. The years have painted a charming patina that cannot be created by anything other than the passing of time.  The early Victorians and craftsman cottages have been carefully restored and the old brick buildings of downtown still create the hub of the community. For many, it still represents a place to escape the hustle of the big city, a welcome alternative to suburbia. The City of Norcross offers a lifestyle that appeals to those who want to enjoy the time-honored values of family and community, in a place that embraces diversity and creativity. It’s a place where historic charm blends with the easy-energy of new urbanism . . . where it’s easy to live and work and play. Norcross respects and preserves its past, while continuing to thrive with creative vision. Norcross is indeed a place to imagine.