Stone Mountain is a city in DeKalb County, Georgia, 13 miles east of Atlanta. It's the gateway to Stone Mountain Park, named for the vast monolith at its center. Etched into the rock's side is a carving depicting Civil War generals Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee, as well as President Jefferson Davis. A trail and Summit Skyride cable car lead to the mountain's peak, and buildings dating back to 1793 fill the park's Historic Square.

A regional center, the town is a popular destination for family-friendly outdoor activities and shopping at local shops and restaurants. It also hosts a variety of annual festivals and events, including the Yellow River Game Ranch Wild West Show and the Indian Festival & Pow Wow. The area's natural heritage includes caves, a hiking trail, and the ruins of Stone Mountain plantation.

The city government operates under a council-manager form of government, with citizens electing a mayor and six council members who serve four-year terms. An appointed professional city manager oversees daily city operations, which include police, public works, code enforcement, municipal court, and planning & zoning services. The city has standing commissions for historic preservation, downtown development and public works.

In the early twentieth century, state legislators led a broad movement called the Massive Resistance to deny Black Georgians the vote, fight school integration, and preserve the racial status quo of white supremacy in the state. Governor Marvin Griffin, for example, promised to continue racial segregation in public schools so long as he was governor, and in 1955, he purchased Stone Mountain for the purpose of building a Confederate memorial.