- Thrasher Park Historical Marker
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Located at Thrasher St. and Park Dr. in Norcross
33.94281666, -84.21348333
(Text)
- THRASHER PARK
- NAMED FOR THE FOUNDER OF NORCROSS
Norcross was chartered in 1870
through its founder, J.J. "Cousin John" Thrasher, and
named for his good friend, Jonathon Norcross, the fourth mayor
(1851) of Atlanta. "Cousin John" purchased tracts of
land which he subdivided and sold as lots along the developing
Richmond and Danville Railroad Line in Gwinnett County. The first
train on this line ran to Atlanta in June 1870. Norcross was
made an incorporated town by act of the State Legislature on
October 26, 1870, and "Cousin John" was elected the
first mayor. He laid out and donated a square of land for a part
"so to be used for all time, never for industrial purposes
of any kind." For a period of time the park became known
as "Dodson Park" because Mr. Dodson, a superintendent
of the railroad, had a pavilion built which was given to the
city. The name was changed to "Thrasher Park" by unanimous
act of the Norcross City Council on January 1, 1934. We pay deepest
respect to "Cousin John" Thrasher whose name stays
with us in our park, if not in the name of our town.
[MARKER ERECTED BY CITY
OF NORCROSS]
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