Oneonta originated and developed with the coming of the Birmingham Mineral Railroad, part of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. The presence of iron ore, limestone, and coal gave the area strong potential for development, and early settlers recognized the value of those natural resources. Transportation provided by the railroad helped turn that potential into the supporting reality of an iron and steel industry. As settlers built their early homes, Oneonta's neighborhoods took shape around downtown and around the L & N Railroad Depot, and historic sites in Oneonta include the Depot, the Garner Hotel Building, and the historic TinTown area.