Fort Oglethorpe is rolling out a new municipal logo, part of the city's historic district redevelopment plan.
The city has two logos: One for the city that reads "Fort O" in stylized script with the city's 1949 founding date, and another for the historic district featuring a horse jumping through the "O" in "Fort O" with the fort's 1902 founding date.
During that era, the United States military ran on horsepower, and the historic district logo was designed to honor that past, city officials said.
"It's really cool to have a new logo and new branding that ties back to our historic roots," Taylor Hutwagner, the city's new economic and events director, said in a phone interview. "It's what the community wanted, and it's good to see it finally get out to the world."
Hutwagner, who lives on a farm in rural Chickamauga, was the city's farmers market contractor last season and began working full-time for the city Jan. 9. Molly Huhn, Fort Oglethorpe city manager, said in the same phone interview that Hutwagner was hired as a city employee because 2022's first-ever farmers market was popular and needed more support.
Stable 41, where the farmers market was held, refers to the building's original equestrian use. During research on the city's historic district redevelopment plan, researchers discovered the building was the post's 41st stable out of at least 45, Huhn said. The name instantly stuck.
"They (the troops) were all on horseback, so they had lots of places to keep the horses," Huhn said.
The military -- and its horses -- first came to the area in 1898 to train and acclimate to the hot climate as preparation for service in the Spanish-American War, according to the Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce website. After the war ended, construction of a more permanent post began in 1902.
The 6th Cavalry was permanently assigned to Fort Oglethorpe in 1919 after World War I. Nearby residents were welcomed to the post for polo matches, parades and other events. By 1941, the 6th Cavalry had modernized, switching from horses to mechanized vehicles.
(READ MORE: Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia's 6th Cavalry Museum looks to broaden mission)
Stable 41 is one the first projects in the city's historic district's redevelopment plan created by University of Georgia's Carl Vincent Institute of Government. Hutwagner said the city is adding a fresh market on Thursdays focused on produce, adding to the regular Sunday market. The Sunday market begins April 30, the fresh market June 1.
(READ MORE: Northwest Georgia farmers markets growing community)
The city's historic logo was introduced at the beginning of last year's farmers market, Huhn said, emblazoned on totes, T-shirts, magnets and cups. Prior to the Nov. 26 Christmas market, Huhn said the historic district logo was painted on a wall at Stable 41.
The institute is developing a plan for a nearby historic hospital building. Huhn said the city will also begin the process to develop 2 1/2 blocks of city-owned warehouses north of Stable 41.
Huhn said city officials plan to update the city's website this month with the new branding and roll out new city business cards and letterhead soon. The sign in front of City Hall is scheduled for an update sometime this year, she said.
Amy Faulkner bought a Fort Oglethorpe historic district building on LaFayette Street in July 2019 and serves on several city boards. In the building, Faulkner runs a beauty shop and The Post General Store, a gift store also serving coffee, ice cream and meals. Classic Woodwork and Design, a business run by her husband, Charles, shares the building as well.
The Post General Store sells T-shirts featuring Fort Oglethorpe's historic district logo.
"At first they (Fort Oglethorpe residents) didn't really understand the horse," Amy Faulkner said, until the city's cavalry-related origin was explained to them. She was interviewed at Stable 41 on Tuesday.
A few years ago, Amy Faulkner said one of her regular clients who was in his 90s reminisced about the era when the military was still dependent on horses. She said that in his youth, the man would ride his own horse down Lookout Mountain into Fort Oglethorpe. He told her there was another stable next door to her building.
Faulkner said she loves the historic district logo because it connects to Fort Oglethorpe's roots and reminds her of her client.
The historic district north of the park died when the Highway 27 bypass opened in 1998, she said, but it's exciting to see it coming back. The couple bought their building at a good time, Amy Faulkner said, right as the redevelopment began gaining momentum.
The City Council is doing a good job revitalizing the historic district, Faulkner said, and she added that historic district property owners are joining in the effort by painting and upgrading their buildings -- as well as participating in the Stable 41 events.
Contact Andrew Wilkins at awilkins@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6659.