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Sope Creek Paper Mill Ruins: A Civil War Relic

Discover the historic Sope Creek Paper Mill Ruins in Marietta, GA: a scenic blend of nature and Civil War history along the Chattahoochee River.

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Explore the hauntingly beautiful ruins of the Marietta Paper Mill, a 19th-century structure destroyed during the Civil War. Hike through scenic trails along Sope Creek and discover the remnants of this once-thriving industrial site, offering a glimpse into Georgia's past.

A brief summary to Sope Creek Paper Mill Ruins

  • Monday 6 am-9 pm
  • Tuesday 6 am-9 pm
  • Wednesday 6 am-9 pm
  • Thursday 6 am-9 pm
  • Friday 6 am-9 pm
  • Saturday 6 am-9 pm
  • Sunday 6 am-9 pm

Local tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes for hiking the trails, as the terrain can be rocky and uneven [9].
  • Bring water and snacks, especially during warmer months, as there are no concessions on-site [18].
  • Visit early in the morning or on weekdays to avoid crowds, especially on weekends [2].
  • Take time to explore both sides of Sope Creek to see the full extent of the mill ruins [17].
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Getting There

  • Driving

    From downtown Marietta, take Paper Mill Road SE towards the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. The Sope Creek parking lot is located at 3726 Paper Mill Rd SE, Marietta, GA 30067 [9, 10]. Parking costs $5 per day and can be paid online [2, 4]. Limited parking is available, and it can fill up quickly during peak times [2, 11]. Overflow parking is available 800 meters down the street at Sope Creek Elementary [11].

  • Walking

    From the Sope Creek parking lot, follow the trail towards the trailhead sign [4]. Pass through the two supports that say 'no bikes' near the picnic tables [4]. Head towards the road, and at junction SC3, continue straight [4]. At junction SC4, turn right and descend downhill [4]. The paper mill ruins will be visible shortly. This is a short, easy walk of about 15 minutes [16].

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Discover more about Sope Creek Paper Mill Ruins

The Sope Creek Paper Mill Ruins, located in Marietta, Georgia, offer a captivating blend of history and natural beauty. The site features the remains of the Marietta Paper Mill, which was established in 1859 and played a significant role in supplying paper to the Confederacy during the Civil War [5, 11]. Union forces burned the mill in 1864 during the Battle of Atlanta [3, 8, 12]. After the war, the mill was rebuilt, only to be destroyed by fire again in 1870 [5, 8, 12]. It was rebuilt once more and continued to produce newsprint and other paper products until 1902 [5, 17]. Today, the ruins consist of towering stone walls and arches, evoking a castle-like atmosphere [6, 8]. The area around the ruins offers several miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and running [6, 7, 9, 14]. The Sope Creek Trail is a popular choice, leading visitors through the forest, along the creek, and past Sibley Pond [6, 7, 10]. The park is part of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and is managed by the National Park Service [3, 8].

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