Stories

From the Wright brothers’ sister Katherine to Gladys Poole, the first licensed female pilot in Georgia, women have played a pivotal role in aviation. Despite facing dangers and gender barriers, these pioneers soared into history. Poole secretly trained to fly in the male-dominated 1920s, performing in aerial shows. Evelyn Greenblatt Howren served in WWII as part of the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots. Janet Harmon Bragg, a Black aviator, confronted racial prejudice to obtain a commercial pilot’s license.

The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is one of the world’s busiest airports. Its origin is linked to a racetrack founded by Asa Candler. Over time, as the importance of aviation grew, Candler’s racetrack eventually became a significant airport. Visionaries such as William Hartsfield, Eddie Rickenbacker, and Maynard Jackson played pivotal roles in establishing Atlanta as a major global aviation hub.

Air Atlanta, a pioneering Black-owned airline of the 1980s, offered unmatched luxury and service. Founded by visionary Michael Hollis during the airline deregulation era, it faced industry giants, achieving notable success before succumbing to challenges in 1987.

Although in the heart of a busy urban neighborhood, the Goizueta Gardens are host to many species of native wildlife including six species of salamanders.

On May 20, 2023, Atlanta’s Greenbriar Mall bid farewell to its Chick-fil-A, the brand’s inaugural restaurant. Beyond its beloved menu, it revolutionized mall food courts and played a pivotal role in Chick-fil-A’s corporate evolution. Its closure symbolizes a significant chapter ending in Atlanta’s culinary history.

Established in 1904, East Lake Golf Course in Atlanta underwent transformations from its inception, including a redesign by the esteemed Donald Ross in 1913. Bobby Jones, a golf legend, honed his skills here, further elevating its prestige. While the mid-20th century saw decline and urban challenges, a 1990s rebirth led by Tom Cousins revitalized the course and community. Today, as the PGA Tour Championship’s permanent home, East Lake remains a symbol of golf’s enduring legacy and community betterment.

The trial of Leo Frank began in Fulton County and was one of the longest trials in state history. Yet still, few know about the significance of Frank’s trial, the violence, antisemitism, and sensational press coverage. Fewer people know of his wife Lucille and her role in the defense and support of her husband throughout his trial, the appeals process, his imprisonment, and beyond.

Family history research has moved into the mainstream, appealing to people of all ages, and is as accessible as the mobile device you’re holding in your hand right now. The best place to start is with you, and Kenan Research Center is here to help.

Learn more about how to research your historic home or neighborhood at the Kenan Research Center!

Discover the story behind the short-lived but iconic The World of Sid and Marty Krofft amusement park, an eight-story indoor attraction that opened in downtown Atlanta in 1976. The park was the culmination of the Krofft brothers’ decades-long career in puppeteering and TV production. Despite its promising opening day attended by over 3,000 guests, the park suffered from a combination of factors, including high ticket prices, rides in constant need of repair, and ongoing issues with crime in metropolitan Atlanta. Ultimately, the park closed its doors after just five months of operation, leaving behind a legacy that still fascinates fans of the Kroffts‘ creative and imaginative puppetry work.

John Temple Graves was a New South orator, newspaper editor, and political figure, known for his influence on racial issues in the late 19th and early 20th century. His newspaper, the Atlanta Georgian, played a significant role in inflaming racial tensions that led to the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre. He was also one of the earliest proponents of carving the likeness of Robert E. Lee into the side of Stone Mountain as a memorial to the Confederacy.  

Atlanta History Center is the repository of millions of pages of archival documents and photographs, and tens of thousands of books, maps, museum artifacts, oral history interviews, and much more, with the collection growing daily. For the first time in the institution’s nearly 100-year history, we are excited to announce that this process will now operate from a new search tool housed on our website.

When Dorothy and Claud came into our lives 6 years ago, they were just a couple of 4-month-old kids. Today, these barrel-hopping and peanut-loving twin Angora goats have settled into their home on Smith Farm and are widely loved by visitors (and staff). Learn more about these galloping goats and their training.

Christine King Farris, the eldest sister of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., not only played an important role in the Civil Rights Movement, but she also had an enduring commitment to education and preserving her brother’s principles of nonviolent social change.