Stone Mountain is a city in DeKalb County, Georgia. The population as of the 2000 census was 7,145.
Stone Mountain Park
Stone Mountain is a granite mountain in Stone Mountain, Georgia. It is the world's largest exposed piece of granite and one of the largest monoliths in the world, behind Mount Augustus in Australia, and larger than Haystack Rock on the Oregon coast. The massive rock, only a third, is exposed at the time. The elevation at it's summit is 1683 feet or 513 meters AMSL. It is well-known not only for its geological status, but also for the enormous bas-relief on its north face, the largest bas-relief in the world. Three figures of the Confederate States of America are carved there: Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis and Stonewall Jackson.
Geography
The town is named for Stone Mountain, which is the largest exposed granite dome in North America. Stone Mountain harbors both plant and animal life found no other place in the world. The mountain has contributed to the city's economy both through its former use as a granite quarry and its continuing status as a tourist attraction. It is also the site of a famous giant carving commemorating the military leaders of the Confederacy as well as a state park and museum, including a tourist railroad.
History
In 1822 the area that now makes up the City of Stone Mountain was made a part of Dekalb County. Andrew Johnson built a hotel along the road in 1836 and a post office was created on the old Augusta Road, and. By 1839 the village added a general store and a village was established named New Gibraltar. The name was officially changed to Stone Mountain in 1847 by the Georgia Legislature. Stone Mountain village was destroyed in the Civil War by men under the command of General John McPherson on July 19, 1864.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,145 people, 2,499 households, and 1,759 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 24.49% White, 69.21% African American, 0.21% Native American, 1.96% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.54% from other races, and 2.55% from multiple races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.09% of the population.
In the 2,499 households out of which 41.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.1% were married couples living together, 25.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. Individuals make up 23.6% of all households and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.36.
The population was spread out with 32.2% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 35.6% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 5.6% who were 65 years of age or older.
The median income for a family was $140,888 and the median income for a household in the city was $98,603. Males had a median income of $89,302 versus $83,854 for females. The per capita income for the city was $79,130. About 1.3% of families and 1.5% of the population were under the poverty line, including 1.2% of those under age 18 and 1.1% of those age 65 or over.
History
History of the carving project
The carving on the mountain was conceived in 1909 by Helen Plane, United Daughters of the Confederacy Atlanta chapter president.
The carving was delayed until 1923, finally work began on the largest project of its kind under American artist Gutzon Borglum. Gutzon Borglum was not appreciated by the local supporters of the project. Borglum quit amid a good deal of controversy on both sides.
The Venable family gave the land encompassing Stone Mountain to the Stone Mountain Confederate Memorial, Inc. on April 11, 1956, after the state had shown interest.
The carving project then resumed on July 4, 1964 and was considered complete on March 3, 1972.
