National Register of Historic Places

Johnston's Line

Mableton, Cobb County, Georgia
Listed
July 4, 1973
Type
Site
Period
Listed
Ref No.
73000618

About this property

Johnston's River Line, also called Johnston's Line, the Chattahoochee River Line or simply The River Line, is a historic American Civil War defensive line located in the communities of Mableton, Smyrna, and Vinings, Georgia that was used by the Confederate Army under General Joseph E. Johnston during the Atlanta campaign in early July 1864. While no significant battles took place along the River Line, it remains one of the most impressive defensive fortifications ever constructed, often compared to the French Maginot Line built prior to World War II. Part of the River Line Historic Area and the Chattahoochee River Line Battlefield, the site today consists of the remains of Confederate earthwork battlements including unique fortifications called Shoupades, named after their designer, Confederate Brig. General Francis A. Shoup. The remains are spread across a six to seven mile stretch along the northwest side of the Chattahoochee River from a point just north of where Nickajack Creek joins the Chattahoochee in Mableton to north of S. Atlanta Road in Smyrna/Vinings. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 5, 1973. Although many of the remains are on private property, visitors can access the site off U.S. 78 in Mableton, and off S.R. 280 and S. Atlanta Rd in Smyrna/Vinings. The site's coordinates are 33°47′31″N 84°31′23″W.

Location

Mableton, Cobb County, Georgia
33.79299, -84.52160

Categories

MILITARY
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
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LiDAR Terrain
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Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
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Notable People
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Literature
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Nearby Historic Sites

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Collier Heights Historic District
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Mable, Robert, House and Cemetery
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Carmichael, J. H., Farm and General Store
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4.1 mi

Nearby Battles

Battle of Ezra Church Atlanta
1864Civil War
3.2 mi
Battle of Utoy Creek
1864Civil War
4.1 mi

Questions about this property

When was Johnston's Line listed on the National Register?

Johnston's Line was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 4, 1973.

What type of historic resource is Johnston's Line?

Johnston's Line is classified as a site in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Johnston's Line?

The period of significance for Johnston's Line is recorded as the listed era.

Can I research the history near Johnston's Line?

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