MyAJC Flashback: The REALLY Real Housewives of Atlanta

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Flashback Photos: The REALLY Real Housewives of Atlanta

The latest entry in the MyAJC.com Flashback series details the daily lives of Atlanta's true "real housewives" before TV.

Long before the advent of reality TV shows, the photographers at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution were documenting the daily doings of housewives all around town. We can't verify if there was quite as much drama happening back then, but we'll give these ladies props for allowing us a glimpse into their busy, busy days. Here, Mrs. T.G. Gallant prepares dinner inside her trailer kitchen on the Emory University campus in Atlanta, Ga. Late 1940s-early 1950s.

The Hubers swapped a 33-room villa in Vienna for their Emory University apartment when Paul decided to become a minster and left Europe to study.

All part of a REAL housewife's busy day: This resourceful youngster, identified as Freddie, sneaks a piece of chicken and a biscuit before his mother can get from the kitchen to the dining room. Not that any of your MyAJC.com Flashback Foto staffers would know anything about pulling such hijinks when they were kids. Certainly not. Ahem. Well, then, moving right along...

Real housewives made their own: Mrs. George Lyon Jr. pours hot sorghum syrup into jars as it is strained from the pans. Clear syrup results from plenty of skimming.

Aug. 18, 1940: Old Salem campground near Covington, Ga. -- Women's work goes on, even at camp meeting. Miss Margaret McCoy, of Clarkston, Ga., prepares dinner in the tent kitchen.

Atlanta: Mrs. John Mathers irons and Mrs. Tommy Graves feeds the washer in the laundry room. The Georgia Tech wives can talk here without interrupting their husbands' studying.

Mrs. and Mrs. Jim Powell of Opelika, Ala., stroll through Trailertown on the Emory University campus. Jim was with the Fifteenth Army in the World War II European Theater and attended Emory University's law school.

Alexa Williams' 'ideal postwar date' is a dance followed by a real breakfast. Bill Hartley, of Emory, goggles at the bacon. Photo probably late 1940s.

Mrs. B.A. Reeves does the family washing in the laundry trailer near the tennis courts at 'Trailertown' on the Emory University campus in Atlanta, Ga.

Mrs. C. Douglas Flanigen gives instruction on the art of cooking and use of a cookbook to her daughter Mary, a bride-to-be.

Virginia Maddox, wife of Georgia Governor Lester Maddox, shows off her skills in the kitchen circa 1967.

1950s -- Mrs Eddie Gustafson of Atlanta prepares waffles to make it a good morning while Sally, aged 1, looks on.

Mrs. John Lert of Atlanta makes her husband's favorite pie from all frozen products -- pastry, fruit and whipped topping -- while John Jr. helps in celebration of his first birthday.

Mrs. Dudley Brewer of Atlanta prepares an herb omelet in her kitchen.

The modern, shining kitchen inspires the girls to prepare their own meals. Myrtice Arnspiger and Marie Cranford whip up a dinner at the Hatcher Memorial Home for Young Business Women at Columbus.

Mrs. Beverly Burch of Atlanta prepares to can some beans and tomatoes, and is encourged by her small daughter, Beverly Anne.

Mr. and Mrs. Gallant and their baby eat dinner in the nook in their trailer on the Emory University campus. The table will be used for studying when cleared of dishes.

Little Henry Hartkens is a good example of a healthy child who eats hearily under the watchful care of his mother.

Mrs. Guy Hayes of Atlanta and her daughter Lallie get dinner ready for Daddy when he comes home.

1/19

Long before the advent of reality TV shows, the photographers at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution were documenting the daily doings of housewives all around town. We can't verify if there was quite as much drama happening back then, but we'll give these ladies props for allowing us a glimpse into their busy, busy days. Here, Mrs. T.G. Gallant prepares dinner inside her trailer kitchen on the Emory University campus in Atlanta, Ga. Late 1940s-early 1950s.

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