Atlanta's early transportation history is more complex than initially thought. A street railway company was chartered by the Georgia legislature shortly after the Civil War. Despite this, nothing was done for several years.

The idea remained dormant until the right individuals got involved. Further details about this period in Atlanta's history are available. It is known that a handful of citizens played a crucial role in convincing the legislature to charter the company.

The full story of how Atlanta's street railway came to be is told through Stories of Atlanta, which explores the city's past and the people who shaped it.