[6] The name "Tallapoosa" is derived from the Creek words "Talwa" (town) and "Puse" (grandmother).

The name shows respect, reverence and origin of the grandmother as the native Creek and nearby Cherokee practiced a matrilineal system of descent.

Clan membership, inheritance, social structure and descent were traced through the mothers line and passed down through the maternal side.

They held a significant role in council meetings and were regarded as the bearers of wisdom, tradition and cultural knowledge having a key role in mediating disputes and conflicts preserving traditions and guiding future generations.

Another nearby historical marker titled "Sandtown Trail" marks the location of the Sandtown Trail a route taken by Creek Indians which later became a stage coach route traveled by white settlers.

Tallapoosa was once referred to as "Opossum Snout" (circa 1891) a painting titled by artist Lyell E. Carr depicting the area Today the town hosts an annual New Year's Eve Possum Drop, one of the largest New Year's Eve celebrations in Georgia.

[7] Tallapoosa is located in the western part of Haralson County in northwest Georgia.

Interstate 20 passes about 5 mi (8.0 km) south of the city center, with access from exit 5 (GA-100).

Tallapoosa is mentioned in these works: The 1933 pre-code movie Baby Face, starring Barbara Stanwyck.