Old 41 was the vernacular for Atlanta Rd. (adjacent to the old interurban right of way) through Smyrna, Fair Oaks and Marietta west of Dobbins. US 41 was known as ‘the Four Lane’ and ran east of Dobbins, missing Smyrna and catching the east edge of Marietta at the Big Chicken.
I visited the area a few years ago. Belmont Hills (’the largest shopping center in the South’) was gone; Cobb Center was gone, the huge Lockheed wind tunnel was gone, the Country Club was a hotel. Only the Big Chicken was left.
They rebuilt whole sections of Atlanta Road - new bypass just beyond the trailer park area, the old road is now "West Atlanta Road" - which is as confusing as the multiple "old 41"s because now there are 3 in different places.
Belmont Hills lay fallow during the real estate downturn, but a new multi-use development is just about completed now, in the style of the old school building behind. They're keeping the name.
The Big Chicken was going to be wrecked out awhile back, but there was an enormous public outcry and funds were raised to restore it. Completely refurbished - and the beak once again opens and shuts and the eyes roll round. They had to do it - everybody in town would be constantly lost without that major navigational aid - "go to the Big Chicken and turn left" . . .