1540History
The first recorded white man in the area was Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto (1540).
1838History
By the mid-18th century, when the Cherokee forced the Creek Nation out of their homelands, to the west and south, the Cherokee Indians called the mountains of north Georgia thei...
1847History
In 1847, Dalton was defined as a mile radius from the city center, the Western and Atlantic Depot.
1850Architecture
The final segment of this pivotal railway was completed in Tunnel Hill, Whitfield County in 1850.
1852Architecture
A second railroad, East Tennessee and Georgia, was completed in 1852.
1862Military
=== Civil War ===
During the Civil War, the city of Dalton saw its first action during the Great Locomotive Chase, on April 12, 1862.
1863Military
More than a year later, on September 18–20, 1863, massive Union and Confederate forces battled a few miles west of Dalton at the Battle of Chickamauga, and later during the Chat...
1864Military
The war came to Whitfield County at the First Battle of Dalton, a series of skirmishes between February 22 and February 27, 1864, during which Union Major General George H.
1869Culture
=== Dalton Little Theatre ===
Dalton Little Theatre held its first documented performance in 1869.
1878Culture
1878, and is now part of the National Register of Historic Places.
1895Economy
The agglomeration of the carpet industry in Dalton can be traced back to a wedding gift given in 1895 by a teenage girl, Catherine Evans Whitener, to her brother, Henry Alexande...
1897Crime
The Bohannon Gang was arrested in Dalton on August 27, 1897.
1900History
Interest grew in young Catherine's bedspreads, and in 1900, she made the first sale of a spread for $2.50.
1903History
The last to be released was Hiram Walter Bohannon, in 1903, after receiving a pardon from Joseph M.
1955Culture
The organization began as the Dalton Amateurs and continued as the Sophoclean Dramatic Club, and the Dalton Players, before becoming Dalton Little Theatre in 1955.
1958Disaster
The organization formally incorporated in 1958 and found its first home in 1981 when it converted the former firehouse built in 1888 into the Firehouse Theatre.
1963Disaster
Founded in 1963 by a group of civic leaders, the Creative Arts Guild began as a grass-roots community movement originally housed in the Old Firehouse on Pentz Street in historic...
1971History
The last train was an unnamed L&N Evansville, Indiana - Atlanta, Georgia remnant of the Georgian, ending service on April 30, 1971.
1981History
In 1981, the Guild moved to its permanent home at 520 West Waugh Street.
2010History
By 2010, 48% of Dalton's 33,000 residents were Latino, comprising a plurality of all residents.
2011Economy
From June 2011 to June 2012 as carpet mills that had employed thousands restructured, downsized, cut back productivity and closed, Dalton lost 4,600 jobs—according to the U.S.
2012Education
As of 2012, Hispanics constituted the plurality of students at Dalton High School.
2015Infrastructure
Also of interest is the site of the historic Western & Atlantic Railroad Station; one of the few still standing and restored to its original architectural state, this site used ...
2018Military
== Sports ==
=== Soccer ===
In 2018, the USL League Two awarded a soccer franchise to Dalton.
2019History
The Dalton Red Wolves SC's inaugural season was in 2019 and the club plays out of Lakeshore Park in Dalton.
2020History
== Demographics ==
=== 2020 census ===
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 34,417 people, 11,305 households, and 7,470 families residing in the city.
2021History
House of Representatives on November 19, 2021.
2023Economy
A $2.2 million state grant in 2023 helped complete improvements on Cuyler and Pentz Streets, strengthening the walkability and visual appeal of the central business district.
2024History
Monthly “CommUNITY dinners,” launched in 2024, further aim to build relationships and generate dialogue among residents.
2025Culture
The Discover Dalton Pass, launched in 2025, offers residents and visitors a digital guide to trails, outdoor recreation, and cultural attractions across Whitfield County.