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Lake Lanier history talk for curious travelers
Hear the story of Lake Lanier at 70 in an engaging library talk, then turn it into a day trip toward the shoreline.
Event details
Lake Lanier has stories that run deeper than its 160-foot depths, and on February 2, 2026, Lisa Russell (author of “Underwater Ghost Towns of North Georgia”) brings those stories to the surface at the Georgia Room inside Switzer Library (266 Roswell Street, Marietta).
This illustrated talk marks Lake Lanier’s 70th anniversary, revisiting the lake’s creation, the displacement of communities such as Oscarville, and the cultural memory of the land now buried beneath 39,000 acres of water. It’s history told with maps, photographs, and the kind of detail that makes you rethink what you’re floating over every time you rent a boat. The event is free, requires no reservations, and draws a mix of lake enthusiasts, history buffs, and anyone curious about the price North Georgia paid for Atlanta’s water supply.
On February 1, 1956, the gates of Buford Dam closed, and the Chattahoochee River began to rise, swallowing farms, cemeteries, bridges, and entire communities. Russell’s talk dives into what was lost, who was affected, and how Lake Lanier became both Georgia’s recreational crown jewel and a reservoir of contested memory.
The Georgia Room is a fitting venue: a local history collection founded in 1970 dedicated to preserving Cobb County’s past. Parking is free at the library, and the talk typically runs about an hour with time for questions. Bring a notebook if you’re the type who likes to follow up with your own research later.
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