Flashback Photos: Atlanta and Georgia in 1966

Things to Do

Flashback Photos: Atlanta and Georgia in 1966

Let's take a look back at what our city and state looked like 50-plus years ago.

10th Street in Midtown, Atlanta, Georgia, February 26, 1966. Joe McTyre/AJC

Easter Sunrise Church Service Held in Atlanta Stadium, April 11, 1966. Bill Ross/AJC

A vew of downtown Atlanta in 1966. The Georgia State Archives building is in the middle foreground (completed 1965), and the State Capitol is just above the archives building. Number 2 Peachtree Street can be seen in the background (it was completed in 1966). Guy Hayes/AJC

Atlanta Braves' Eddie Mathews (inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1978) during spring training, 1966. Kenneth Rogers/AJC

Atlanta Federal Savings

Atlanta Braves' players Joe Torre and Tony Cloninger, 1966. Kenneth Rogers/AJC

Atlanta Braves outfielder Mack Jones, 1966. Also known as Mack the Knife, Jones was an Atlanta native. He died in 2004. Kenneth Rogers/AJC

Atlanta Civic Center, Auditorium-Exhibition Hall Construction Site, May 30, 1966. Bob Dendy/AJC

Atlanta Merchandise Mart (AmericasMart), 1966. Robert Connell/AJC

Atlanta Police Department replaces older motorcycles with a new style, 1966. The original caption reads: "Patrolman sits astride new motor scotter. Behind D. L. Creameans is old-style motorcycle. April 8, 1966." Bob Dendy/AJC

Boy scout injured by gas explosion in a local cave, Trenton, Dade County, Georgia, April 16, 1966. Bill Wilson/AJC

Exterior of Stone Mountain Marina, 1966. Kenneth ROgers/AJC

Falcons' owner Rankin Smith relaxes in an oversized bed for the team, 1966. AJC file.

Former Georgia Governor Ellis Arnall campaigning for governor again, Newnan, Georgia, July 10, 1966. The original caption reads: "Former Gov. Ellis Arnall Opens Campaign He Hopes Will Return Him To Capitol After 20 Years. Shirt-sleeve crown estimated at 7,000 present at Newnan Fairgrounds for candidate speech and barbecue." Arnall, who had been governor in the 1940s, didn't win. Lester Maddox became governor in 1967. Hugh Stovall/AJC

Georgia State College computer demonstration, August 21, 1966. The original caption reads: "Visiting school officials check Georgia State's computer. From left: Reid Gillis, George Woodruff, William Wells, Gordon Howell (seated)." Georgia State College would become Georgia State University in 1969. Robert Connell/AJC

Harness racehorse goes around a racetrack in Hawkinsville, Georgia, January 1966. Floyd Jillson/AJC

Harry's Steak House at 1217 Spring Street N.W. in September 1966. Tracy O'Neal Photographic Collection, 1923-1975, Photographic Collection. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library.

Howard Johnson's Restaurant employees in costume at the location at 735 Washington Street S.W., Atlanta, in October 1966. Tracy O'Neal Photographic Collection, 1923-1975, Photographic Collection. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library.

Another view of Memorial Drive and Wyman Street in January 1966. Tracy O'Neal Photographic Collection, 1923-1975, Photographic Collection. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library.

Julian Bond being denied his seat in the Georgia Legislature, January 10, 1966. Bill Wilson/AJC

K-Mart at 5925 Roswell Road in July 1966. Tracy O'Neal Photographic Collection, 1923-1975, Photographic Collection. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library.

Lines of people waiting at the Rialto Theatre for "Our Man Flint" 1966. Charles R. Pugh/AJC

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Ralph David Abernathy (left) touring an unidentified poverty-stricken area of Atlanta, January 1966. Billy Downs/AJC

First Major League Baseball game in the southeast (Atlanta Braves against the Pittsburgh Pirates), Mayor Ivan Allen throwing out the first ball, Atlanta Stadium, April 12, 1966. Marion Crowe/AJC

Memorial Drive and Wyman Street in January 1966. Tracy O'Neal Photographic Collection, 1923-1975, Photographic Collection. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library.

1/25

10th Street in Midtown, Atlanta, Georgia, February 26, 1966. Joe McTyre/AJC

Today's Gallery Headlines

Georgia hosts Western Kentucky in an NCAA football game in Athens

PHOTOS: Georgia debuts all-white uniforms for the first time in school history

commerce high school, green county high school

PHOTOS: Commerce shuts out Greene County

9/11 Stone Mountain Memorial Climb

PHOTOS: Firefighters climb Stone Mountain to honor lives lost in 9/11

Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic day two at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Best AJC photos for July, August

More Galleries

Atlanta Jazz Fest brings 3 days of free music

PHOTOS: Atlanta Jazz Festival 2026

aajc 052326 momocon

PHOTOS: MomoCon 2026 held in Atlanta

How Hot 107.9’s Birthday Bash remains an Atlanta staple, 30 years later

PHOTOS: Hot 107.9 Who’s Hot Showcase and Concert

Live Between

PHOTOS: Sanford Stadium hosts second concert in its history