Alpharetta

A Short History of Alpharetta, Georgia Alpharetta was officially chartered in 1858, beginning as a small trading post along a former Cherokee trail. Its early economy was deeply rooted in agriculture, especially cotton farming, which shaped the community for decades. In 1932, Milton County, with Alpharetta as its county seat, merged into Fulton County. This transition brought improved infrastructure, lower taxes, and expanded educational opportunities, all of which helped set the stage for future growth. A major turning point came in the 1970s with the construction of Georgia State Route 400. This new highway dramatically increased accessibility to the area and initiated a wave of suburban expansion. By the 1980s and 1990s, Alpharetta had begun its transformation into a thriving business and technology hub. Developments like Windward—a master-planned community combining residential neighborhoods, corporate campuses, and commercial areas—played a key role in shaping modern Alpharetta. Today, Alpharetta is known as a “technology city of the South,” home to hundreds of tech companies and corporate headquarters, supported by vibrant communities and strong local amenities.