Flashback Photos: 60 years ago in Georgia, 1961, Part One

Flashback Photos

Flashback Photos: 60 years ago in Georgia, 1961, Part One

The Moreland Avenue underpass was created, Atlanta got a new mayor and a new airport terminal and the University of Georgia and many local high schools were integrated. Take a look back at life in Georgia as it was 60 years ago.

Downtown Connector near 14th Street on April 18, 1961.

African American students Willie Jean Black, Donita Gaines and Arthur Simmons passing by police motorcycles parked at Northside High School (later North Atlanta High School) on the first day of its racial integration on August 30, 1961.

It's Southeastern Fair time and Atlanta Journal carriers are having a big time. Bill Willingham of Moultrie (left) and Joel Partain of LaGrange attack a foot-long hotdog in 1961. (Staff photo/Darrell Thompson)

Crowds throng new Atlanta Airport terminal for dedication ceremonies in 1961. World Bank president Eugene Black, Mayor Hartsfield face expectant audience. (Bill Wilson / AJC staff)

The front loading platform of the old terminal in 1961. (Dwight Ross Jr. / AJC staff)

Mayoral candidates Ivan Allen, Jr. (left) shakes hands with Lester Maddox, who is making the victory sign, at the Atlanta Constitution after the final vote tally in 1961. Ivan Allen won the contest for Atlanta's mayor. (Billy Downs/AJC staff)

May 13, 1961 - Class of 1912 holds reunion at Agnes Scott College on May 13, 1961. Cornelia Cooper (from left), Mrs. C.M. Allen, Mrs. E.S. Croft, Mrs. H. Wey and Mrs. S. Slack.

Charlayne Hunter, left, prepares to leave one of her classes at the University of Georgia Jan. 11, 1961.

Hamilton E. Holmes (seated) with his father Alfred Holmes on Jan. 9, 1961. Hamilton Holmes was about to be one of the first African Americans to enter the University of Georgia.

Attorney D. L. Hollowell (from left), Hamilton E. Holmes and Alfred Holmes, father of Hamilton Holmes in Athens on Jan 9, 1961.

Campaign signs have sprung up on Atlanta lawns during the past few weeks of heated politicking for city elects. Here a candidate for mayor, Jim Aldredge, looks on as Mrs. R. G. Carlsen wields the hammer on a sign on Havilon Drive SW on Sept. 7, 1961.

A crowd of newsmen and students surround Charlayne Hunter, 18, and Hamilton Holmes, 19, as the two students arrived to register at the University of Georgia in Athens on Jan. 9, 1961. A federal judge ordered the two admitted to the 175 year old previously all-white state institution. Attorney Horace Ward (man wearing hat and carrying a briefcase) accompanies Charlayne Hunter and Hamilton Holmes. The man behind Hunter and Holmes is Ward's law partner, Vernon Jordan.

Bystanders gather in front of the Bank of Acworth which was robbed Sept. 19, 1961.

Students were arrested at The Coffee Shop at 1 Forsyth Street SW in downtown Atlanta in 1961 when they attempted to get service on Feb. 13, 1961.

Sally Bynum watches partner at Agnes Scott College. Freshmen Lee Pryor Foster (seated from left), Ann Bogy and Nancy Hamm in 1961.

Protesters against the city's two major department stores march in downtown Atlanta demanding an end to segregation on Feb. 1, 1961.

Traffic on Interstate 75 as it approaches the city of Atlanta. Photo taken October 5, 1961.

Overview of state and county government buildings on south side of Atlanta on Jan. 17, 1961.

Georgia's Johnny Griffith (left) meets Bobby Dodd at midfield. Tech and Georgia players pass friendly greeting while policeman holds the game ball in 1961. (BILL YOUNG/AJC staff)

In the old control tower at Atlanta Airport in March 1961.

Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., left, installs Rev. Ralph David Abernathy as pastor of the West Hunter Street Baptist Church in 1961.

Another photo from the Grady High School integration on Aug. 30, 1961.

Workmen are pouring the last of the concrete for the Moreland Avenue underpass in 1961.

A woman checks in at the first-class boarding gate at Atlanta's Municipal Airport for an Eastern Airlines flight to New York and Boston on August 23, 1961. (Bill Young / AJC staff)

Flannery O'Conner, one of Georgia's famous authors, is seated by her great-grandmother's secretary in the Cline home in Milledgeville in January 1961.

Charlayne Hunter makes phone call on the University of Georgia campus on Jan. 9, 1961, Hamilton Holmes waits for her.

On April 9, 1961, Arnold Palmer frowns during a 73 round at the Masters. Sunday he did first nine in 24 before rains came. (Hugh Stovall/AJC staff)

Steps to the old Airport terminal lead to nowhere in 1961. If you're looking for the terminal, it's wa-a-y in the background. (Dwight Ross Jr / AJC staff)

View of the Williams Street entrance to the North Expressway in 1961. Construction on a new curbing to route traffic from Williams St. onto the Expressway downtown was about to get under way. (Kirk Wooster/AJC staff)

Mary McMullen and Lawrence Jefferson leave Grady High School on Aug. 31, 1961, the first day of class. They were two of nine black students to integrate four Atlanta schools that day.

Marchers protesting segregation at Davison's department store carry placards as they walk on the sidewalk fronting Peachtree Street on Feb. 1, 1961

Hamilton Holmes leaves the University of Georgia campus through the arches in January 1961, followed by attorney Donald Lee Hollowell (right) and Rev. Williams.

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Credit: AJC staff

Downtown Connector near 14th Street on April 18, 1961.

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