The third park on our list of state parks within 60 miles of Atlanta is Red Top Mountain. This park is about thirty-six miles north of downtown on Lake Allatoona. The 1,776-acre park was established in 1950 to preserve the history of the area and boost Bartow County’s growth and agricultural economy. Named for its rich red soil caused by the high iron content, Red Top Mountain was once a prominent mining area. Ironmaster Jacob Stroup built the Allatoona Iron Furnace on Allatoona Creek in 1844. The furnace had several owners after Stroup’s death in 1846 but continued operation until Union soldiers destroyed it during the Civil War. Red Top…