Atlanta
About Atlanta
Atlanta, tucked into northeastern Macon County, was founded in 1858 on land first settled by Thomas F. Atterbury and named after Atlanta, Georgia. Its post office has been serving the community since 1868.
The town made national headlines in 1935 when TWA Flight 6 crashed nearby in heavy fog, killing four—including U.S. Senator Bronson Cutting of New Mexico—and spurring major reforms in air traffic safety.
Community spirit runs deep here. Atlanta celebrates its roots each June with Atlanta Homecoming in Atterberry Park, while other annual favorites include the Big Wheels event in September and the community Easter egg hunt. Residents proudly support their Hornets sports teams, with blue and white flying high at school tournaments like Little Dribblers and Pee Wee Baseball.
The surrounding landscape draws hunters seeking whitetail deer and wild turkey, with nearby conservation areas offering plenty of outdoor adventure.
Notable figures connected to Atlanta include Milton Romjue, a long-serving U.S. Congressman, and Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, the founder of osteopathic medicine, who once practiced in the area.
Today, landmarks like the converted City Hall memorial to Mayor Owen “Woody” Woodward and the repurposed Atlanta Methodist Church keep local history alive. At the same time, the town continues to thrive as a small but spirited corner of Macon County.
Directions
RESTAURANTS AND CAFES
LD's Bar and Grill
33006 State Hwy M
Atlanta, MO
Phone: 660-239-4576
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Atlanta/Long Branch Conservation Area
From Macon, take Highway 63 north for 5 miles, then turn onto Route AX and head west for 2 miles.
Phone: (660) 785-2420
The Atlanta/Long Branch Conservation Area, on the eastern side of Long Branch Lake, offers a single-lane boat launch, shady picnic sites, and paved parking with concrete ramps (closed at 10 p.m. except for anglers). Managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation and the U.S. Corps of Engineers, this 4,500-acre area combines the 2,454-acre Long Branch Conservation Area with the adjacent Atlanta Conservation Area. It features gently rolling oak-hickory uplands, mixed hardwood lowlands, wetlands, and oxbow lakes. Visitors can enjoy activities such as hunting, fishing, frogging, hiking, nature study, and photography, while bald eagles and giant Canada geese are commonly seen in the winter.
LOCAL EVENTS
June 27 & 28, 2026: Atlanta Homecoming
The Atlanta, MO Homecoming is an annual event held every last weekend in June.