What kind of city elects a saloon owner as its first mayor? In this episode of Stories of Atlanta, part of our Iron and Ambition series, we travel back to 1848—the year Atlanta held its very first city election. Fueled by fistfights, whiskey, and political passions, this raucous vote set the tone for the kind […]
Tag: Atlanta History
Posted inAtlanta Way 2.0, Columns
Lessons from the past and present
This summer Atlanta Way 2.0 and SaportaReport are partnering on an initiative to strengthen the civic fabric of greater Atlanta through journalism. We have two amazing interns who will share their journey here in our weekly column. Here Gabriella Hart reflects on her first few weeks as an Atlanta Way 2.0 intern. Upon beginning this project […]
Posted inStories of Atlanta
Not All Fun and Games
In response to competition from South Carolina, the State of Georgia embraced the fledgling railroad industry. The idea was to establish new trade opportunities by building a railroad system that would connect Georgia to the rest of the United States. Key to that plan was constructing a state-owned railroad line that would terminate in north […]
Posted inStories of Atlanta
A Cure for Chaos
The town of Atlanta had designated its first commissioners in 1845. The 5-man governing body was comprised of stalwart citizens, none of whom had any previous experience in government affairs. They did their best to bring order to the young railroad town but, by all accounts, their efforts fell on deaf ears. There was little […]
Posted inStories of Atlanta
The Blockade Runner
It was 1844, and the newly chartered town of Marthasville, Georgia, per its official charter, had appointed five commissioners to handle the town’s business. Their first act was to levy a tax on the community for the purpose of building new streets. Clearly, the citizenry of Marthasville had not embraced the concept of a commission-led […]
Posted inStories of Atlanta
Replacing the Monroe
By the end of 1845, people in the region had begun to believe that there just might be something to the young town of Atlanta. Any who remained skeptical of the hype found it harder to do so with the arrival of the first Macon and Western train. You’ll remember that Cousin John Thrasher had […]
Posted inStories of Atlanta
Everybody’s Cousin
As these things go, the changing of the name Marthasville to Atlanta went about as smooth as could be expected. There was one slight hitch, some, who were no doubt devotees of ancient literature, assumed that there had been a typographical error in the spelling of the town’s new name and that actually “Atlanta” should […]
Posted inStories of Atlanta
It Was About Paperwork
The origin of the name “Atlanta” has been questioned for as long as there has been an Atlanta. When all is said and done, however, the name of the city is “Atlanta,” and it’s a safe bet that’s not going to change anytime soon. We haven’t read much about how the people of Marthasville felt […]
Posted inMedia, Stories of Atlanta
Pioneer Citizens
In the lore of Atlanta’s history, there is a story about an organization that called itself, “The Pioneer Citizens of Atlanta.”
Posted inStories of Atlanta
The Chief Engineer
There is an interesting side benefit to reading about history and it has to do with being able to predict the future. Well, not so much “the” future as “a” future. At various stages along the path of historical research, one becomes familiar with the players in a particular story. When a new character is […]
Posted inColumns
Celebrated chef retires to pursue first love: painting, drawing
Gerry Klaskala has been one of Atlanta’s most celebrated chefs for decades. He’s been the creative force behind such restaurants as Canoe and Buckhead’s Aria. Now, after 25 years at Aria’s helm, he’s trading his chef’s whites for a paintbrush. “It’s time,” the chef and restaurateur said. “It’s been a great, great ride. I’m satisfied.” […]
Posted inStories of Atlanta
Waiting for a Train
The terminus for the Western & Atlantic railroad line had, in 1842, been moved from land lot #78 onto 5 acres of land donated to the state by Samuel Mitchell, the owner of land lot #77. Former Governor Wilson Lumpkin, who negotiated the land deal with Mr. Mitchell, along with W&A engineer F.C. Arms and […]
Posted inStories of Atlanta
The Nickname
You might be familiar with the term “Y’allywood.” It is a nickname that many have recently applied to Atlanta. For those not into, as The Dude would say, the whole brevity thing, perhaps you’re familiar with “Hollywood of the South.” Either way, both of those names will just have to be added to the lengthy […]
Posted inStories of Atlanta
A Founding Father Arrives
It was competition from the State of South Carolina that finally prompted the Georgia legislature to act on the recommendation that former governor Wilson Lumpkin had made to the state in 1826. Lumpkin and his partner Hamilton Fulton on behalf of the State of Georgia had surveyed the American Indian territories of north Georgia seeking […]
Posted inStories of Atlanta
Moving the Mile Marker
In its earliest days, folks referred to the area around the Zero Mile Post as Thrasherville. John Thrasher had come to the region in 1839 to build an embankment for the Monroe Railroad and, to accommodate his workers, he had constructed a community of small cabins. It seems natural that Thrasher’s name would come into […]
Posted inColumns
Airport concessions started by Herman J. Russell and friends celebrate 45 years
Employees of Concessions International, the food and beverage management firm at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, were showered with appreciation during a luncheon celebrating the company’s 45th anniversary. The event was held in the Ocean Ballroom of the Georgia Aquarium on Wednesday. Current and former employees, retirees, and staff who work at airports in such cities as […]
Posted inColumns
Questions remain over Carter Library’s move to cancel book events amid D.C. politics
The relocation of three book events that were scheduled to take place at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library continues to raise questions on whether the change was made due to the content of the books and influenced by the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington D.C. A staff person at the Carter Presidential Library, […]
Posted inDelaney Tarr
Historic Edgewood Avenue building set for demolition makes ‘Places in Peril’ list
A nearly century-old building on Edgewood Avenue set for demolition, and a Duluth railway museum struggling to stay afloat are two of 10 “Places in Peril” on the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2025 list of endangered historic sites. The 2025 list announced on Feb. 26 aims to push historic spots threatened by demolition, neglect, […]
Posted inStories of Atlanta
Ground Zero
With the Zero Mile Post fixed in its final location, the foundation for the growth of Atlanta was in place. The city would grow up around the junction point of 3-railroad-lines. Those rail lines would influence the location and the orientation of many of the young community’s new buildings. Well-traveled trails would be expanded and […]
Posted inStories of Atlanta
The Mile Marker Move
A chief engineer identifies the terminus point; a stake is driven into the ground, and, around that marker, the City of Atlanta grows. It’s a pretty neat story. . . except that isn’t exactly how it happened. Nothing, it seems, is ever safe from political intrigue and that would include the founding of the City […]
