Flashback photos: Marietta Street, westward from the heart of...

Things to Do

Flashback Photos: Marietta Street, westward from the heart of Atlanta (1871-1960s)

One of the points in Five Points, Marietta Street radiates westward from the heart of Atlanta and it's been a center of commerce (and government) since the 19th century. Take a look at some photos from the street's long history.

Traffic jam on Marietta Street at Forsyth Street intersection, Atlanta, Georgia, January 1953. AJCP338-039b, Atlanta Journal-Constitution Photographic Archives. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library. Check out more of our Flashback Fotos here.

Trolley construction, Marietta Street and Broad Street, 1891. N01-03, Tracy O'Neal Photographic Collection, 1923-1975, Photographic Collection. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library.

Streetcars once ran by the Henry Grady statue on Marietta Street downtown. Photo from 1933.

Before the Capitol moved to its present location in 1889, it had been located on the corner of Marietta and Forsyth Streets in the former Kimball Opera House, shown in the center distance in this heavily retouched photo, from sometime in the 1880s. A caption provided by the Atlanta History Center states, "In 1870, the state of Georgia purchased the recently completed Atlanta Opera House at the corner of Marietta and Forsyth Streets in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, to house the state capitol. Atlanta had been designated the temporary state capital in 1868 and became the permanent capital in 1877. The state legislature continued to meet in the building until 1889, when the current Georgia State Capitol building was completed." (William A. Kuhns/AJC Archives/GSU Archives)

Street Scene at Forsyth and Marietta Street in January 1951. N03-54_01, Tracy O'Neal Photographic Collection, 1923-1975, Photographic Collection. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library.

101 Marietta Street at the corner of Cone Street, Atlanta, Georgia, March 1, 1937. Lane Brothers Commercial Photographers Photographic Collection, 1920-1976. Photographic Collection, Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library. LBstrip011b

Looking West on Marietta Street from Peachtree Street circa 1906. LBGPF7-018a, Lane Brothers Commercial Photographers Photographic Collection, 1920-1976. Photographic Collection, Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library.

Traffic jam at Marietta and Broad Streets, Atlanta, Georgia, January 1953. AJCP338-039a, Atlanta Journal-Constitution Photographic Archives. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library.

Broad and Marietta Intersection, September 23, 1959. Photo: Jerry Huff. AJCP142-020z, Atlanta Journal-Constitution Photographic Archive. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library

On Marietta Street in October 1956. The description on the back of the original: "A BLOOMING SURPRISE Earlybird workers were the first to notice, but by afternoon thousands has seen the big urns of flowers put out the night before on Marietta street between Forsyth street and Five Points. Six will be maintained on the Marietta traffic islands with the flowers being changed seasonably. Mayor Hartsfield provided them out of his expense funds. At left Mildred Katz sniffs the blooms --- azalea mums--- beneath the Henry Grady monument. At right, officer Burl Cobbins lets Mrs. Nona Gover stop her car long enough to look."

View of Marietta Street in 1875. The description on the back of the original reads: "Atlanta Scene -- 1875 -- Marietta St. Handsome residence across street from state capitol is that of Dr. Willis F. Westmoreland, which stood on site now covered by the Ga. Power Co. In left foreground the signs of the Virginia Show Store, Snead and Co. (28 Marietta St.) and that of Sciple & Sons, Coal & Wood Yard (Broad c. of Hunter), also that of the Home Shuttle Sewing Machines, 32 Marietta St., Photographed 1875 by J.A. Palmer, Aiken, S.C."

Photo taken on Oct. 21, 1891 shows unveiling of the Henry Grady Statue at Marietta and Forsyth Streets. A crowd of 25,000 attended, even lining the tops of buildings. Building on left is the old Post Office, (currently the Western Union Bldg.) On the right is the old Customs House (55 Marietta St., formerly Fulton National Bank Bldg.)

Howell Mill Road and Marietta Street in April 1956. LBGPNS5-184d, Lane Brothers Commercial Photographers Photographic Collection, 1920-1976. Photographic Collection, Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library.

Intersection of North Broad Street and Marietta Street in the 1910s. The incription on the back reads: "North Broad St., at Marietta St., intersection. 12 1/2 Broad -- Wells Bros. signs. 24 -- Exchange Hotel. 44 -- Grant Bldg. 1910s."

Ivan Allen-Marshall Building (corner of Marietta Street and Forsyth Street) in December 1961. N13-020_a, Tracy O'Neal Photographic Collection, 1923-1975, Photographic Collection. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library.

The intersection of Marietta and Broad streets. There's no date on the photo, but likely mid- to late-1960s. The 40 Marietta Street bulding in the upper right opened in 1964. LBGPNS7-125b, Lane Brothers Commercial Photographers Photographic Collection, 1920-1976. Photographic Collection, Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library.

The intersection of Marietta Street and Northside Drive in March 1956. LBGPNS7-134a, Lane Brothers Commercial Photographers Photographic Collection, 1920-1976. Photographic Collection, Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library.

View southeast down Marietta Street toward the intersection of Marietta and Forsyth Streets. Negative envelope dated March 22, but the year is unknown. It was probably taken in the early 1950s. The second Kimball House Hotel (at center right) was torn down in 1959. LBGPNS7-131b, Lane Brothers Commercial Photographers Photographic Collection, 1920-1976. Photographic Collection, Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library.

Marietta Street looking north in July 1954. King Plow Co. is on the right. N04-115_a, Tracy O'Neal Photographic Collection, 1923-1975, Photographic Collection. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library.

Marietta Street scene with a man and horses drinking from fountain, 1871. The assignment sheet attached reads: "Atlanta Scene 1871 -- Marietta St. Print from photograph for the stereoscope. Gate City Block on south side of Marietta at junction of Walton (Wilson's Atlanta As It It...pp120, 143) London store, south side of Marietta. Buildings... Gate City Block London Store Drinking Fountain"

The U.S. Post Office and Custom House - shown in the 1890s (left center) at the corner of Marietta and Forsyth Streets. The building faces Marietta Street. (File) 1895

The U.S. Post Office and Custom House - shown in the 1890s (left center) at the corner of Marietta and Forsyth Streets. The building faces Marietta Street. (File) 1890s

Five Points, looking west down Marietta Street, Atlanta, Georgia, 1962. J.C. Lee.

Five Points, looking west down Marietta Street, Atlanta, Georgia, 1912.

1/24

Traffic jam on Marietta Street at Forsyth Street intersection, Atlanta, Georgia, January 1953. AJCP338-039b, Atlanta Journal-Constitution Photographic Archives. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library. Check out more of our Flashback Fotos here.

Today's Gallery Headlines

Masters practice round Monday

PHOTOS: Golf fashions at the Masters

45m ago

aajc 041126 Masters Round 2 Friday

PHOTOS: Masters 2026 Round 2

1h ago

aajc 041026 Masters Round 1 Thur

PHOTOS: Masters 2026 tournament starts

Masters Par 3 contest

PHOTOS: Masters Par 3 Contest brings player's families to Augusta National

More Galleries

the weeknd

PHOTOS: The Weeknd electrifies the crowd at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz stadium

PHOTOS: Beyonce fans saddle up for 4-day Atlanta Cowboy Carter Tour stop

PHOTOS: Beyoncé fans arrive for 4-night Atlanta Cowboy Carter Tour stop

College Park Juneteenth Parade standalone photo

PHOTOS: Juneteenth Parade held in College Park