Overgrown vines and lush vegetation envelop a weathered stone wall of the historic Marietta paper mill. The wall features an arched doorway, and encroaching vibrant green vines that show the extent to which nature has reclaimed the old structure.
The ruins of the Marietta paper mill are nestled in the woods along the banks of Sope Creek, in Marietta Georgia. Sope Creek is a hidden gem, running through the woods just beyond the backyards of upscale residential neighborhoods in this Atlanta suburb. With construction completed in 1855, the Marietta paper mill was the largest in the state of Georgia, supplying paper products throughout the southern United States. Burned by Union Soldiers during the Civil War, the mill was subsequently rebuilt and remained in service until 1902 when it was no longer profitable.
Sope Creek is just a short drive from the Atlanta perimeter and may be accessed via the Sope Creek trailhead in Marietta, Georgia. The trail is maintained by the National Park Service, and more information may be obtained on the NPS website: