Cartersville, the county seat for Bartow County, was named in honor of Colonel Farish Carter of Milledgeville. Carter was one of Georgia’s wealthiest antebellum landowners. Incorporated February 8, 1854, Cartersville was destroyed during the Civil War, and incorporated again in 1872.

Cartersville is the home of Red Top Mountain State Park and Lodge and Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site. Located along Lake Allatoona, Red Top Mountain Park offers abundant wildlife, swimming, boating, fishing and hiking. The historic Etowah Indian Mounds has ceremonial mounds dating from 1,000-1,500 A.D., the largest mound standing 63 feet tall.