How The Atlanta Constitution covered what became known as the Great Atlanta Fire of 1917 on Tuesday, May 22, 1917:
Most people associate Atlanta and fire with the damage wrought in 1864, but this blaze was far more destructive, especially for residents. The fire originated around noon on May 21 in the Old Fourth Ward, and burned for 11 hours. About 10,000 people were left homeless and the damage was estimated to reach $5 million — more than $100 million today. “A path of smoking ruins, six blocks in width and twenty-four in length, extends this morning from Decatur street to Vedado way,” the newspaper reported. A cause was never determined.
This moment and many more are included in a special multimedia presentation covering the 150-year history of The Atlanta Constitution. See the city's history come alive through the pages of our newspaper.
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