Roswell, GA

Roswell is situated in north-central Georgia and is just 20 miles outside of Atlanta. The city is steadily growing, with the 2007 census figures placing the population of Roswell at 87,312 residents. Today, Roswell is Georgia's sixth-largest city, though most of the city's growth has occurred in the last 15 years. Roswell's quaintness and low crime rates have led AtlantaMagazine to name the city the best place to live in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Roswell has also been designated a City of Excellence by the Georgia Municipal Association and a Bicycle-Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists.

• 21.2 percent of Roswell's population have at least a high school degree, 43.9 percent have at least an associate's degree, and another 18.9 percent hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
• 73.9 percent of Roswell's residents are white; 12.4 percent are black; 4.4 percent are Asian. About14.8 percent of the total population identify as Hispanic or Latino.

The city itself encompasses about 42 square miles, of which 800 acres are devoted to parks and recreational outdoor areas.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

A mix of modern architecture and historic buildings peacefully coexist on tree-lined streets. Roswell is home to a historic district that measures approximately 640 acres, 122 of which are registered with the National Register of Historic Places.

Three notable homes in Roswell include:

• Barrington Hall is regarded as one of the country's finest examples of Greek Revival Temple Architecture. Barrington Hall was the home of Barrington King, who co-founded Roswell. Now owned by the city, Barrington Hill has been turned into a museum, which features tours, special events, and other educational activities.
• Bulloch Hall is where the 26th U.S. president Theodore Roosevelt's parents were married. Roosevelt's mother Mittie was the daughter of Major James Stephens Bulloch, who built the house and was one of Roswell's first settlers. The Greek Revival-style house, which was built in 1839, is now the site of tours and community outreach programs.
• Archibald Smith Plantation was home to Roswell co-founder Archibald Smith, his family, and nearly 30 slaves. This 300-acre plantation, which housed three generations of Smith's family, has been carefully preserved. In addition to the family's memorabilia, visitors can still see the two-story farm house, outhouses, servants quarters, a cook house, carriage house, smoke house, corn crib, well, and spring house.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Roswell was once known as a mill town and appealed primarily to millworkers, merchants, and shop owners. Over the decades, the economic face of the city changed, and it now includes a large number of entrepreneurs. Today, office development is at an all-time high. Entrepreneurs take advantage of generous zoning laws that allow for office space creation in historic venues.

Nationally known companies headquartered in Roswell include:

• Royal Oaks Enterprises
• Paradise Foods
• Kimberly Clark Corporation

FOR VISITORS

Roswell residents enjoy a mild climate year-round. The average high temperature is 69 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average low is 45.7 degrees Fahrenheit. The city gets about 53.7 inches of rain a year.

• The Teaching Museum North is a current events museum that focuses on sociopolitical development. It offers exhibits on the American presidents, First Ladies, and World War II. In keeping with current events, the museum also features changing contemporary exhibits.
• Roswell Ghost Tours traverses glamorous mansions and also apartments once inhabited by millworkers and their families. Some of the most haunted sites in all of Roswell are explored.
• The Fire and Rescue Museum features photographs and other artifacts pertaining to the history of fires in Roswell. The most prominent artifact is the Ford American LaFrance Pumper, which was built in 1947 and was often used by local firefighters to put out fires.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• Local and regional artists display their work at the Roswell Visual Arts Center, where exhibitions include photography, paintings, and pottery.
• Clay Collective at Roswell Art Center West is an exhibit hall that also offers works for sale. This center focuses exclusively on work in clay.
• The Atlanta Wine School offers classes and private tutoring in the fine art of wine appreciation.

EVENTS

• Roswell Magnolia Storytelling Festival takes place in June. A city known for its ghost hunting tours is sure to have its fair share of gifted storytellers. Roswell rolls out the welcome mat to anyone who believes they have what it takes to captivate an audience, and the most gifted regal attendees with their craft.
• Taste of Roswell allows local restaurants and caterers to show off a bit against a backdrop of autumn weather and bluegrass music. Visitors enjoy samples of local chefs' best dishes.

SHOPPING

Roswell is famous for its antique shops. Various dealers offer their wares at Market Place Antiques and the Historic Roswell Antique Market.