Flashback photos: Piedmont Park, 1895-1999

Metro Atlanta

Flashback photos: Piedmont Park, 1895-1999

It’s the heart of Midtown, a green space that’s served as a gathering place for Atlantans since the late 19th century. The first Piedmont Exposition was held in 1887, but the park became the property of the city in 1904. See how the park has changed through the years.

This scene at Piedmont Park pool was similar to those at other city swimming pools Labor Day as Atlanta youngsters took to the water for a last swim in Septembr 1957. The pools officially closed at 10:30pm Monday in preparation for the opening of school Tuesday.

Piedmont Park swimming pool area in the 1930s.

Aerial view of Piedmont Park, looking east from 14th Street sometime in the 1930s. LBSFS4-001b, Lane Brothers Commercial Photographers Photographic Collection, 1920-1976. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library.

Joining hands, singer Elton John (in cap) and Mayor Maynard Jackson lead the crowd of marchers at AIDS Walk Atlanta at Piedmont Park Sunday, Sept. 8, 1991.

090707 - GA.: These photos are from the first time the Allman Brothers Band played in Piedmont Park in May 1969. Photo by Twiggs Lyndon/ABB archives

Independent Presidential candidate John B. Anderson speaks at a rally in Atlanta's Piedmont Park on June 5, 1980. At the time, the independent candidate was not yet qualified to be placed on the Georgia presidential ballot. Anderson asked Atlantans to help him qualify.

Independent Presidential candidate John B. Anderson greets a supporter at a rally in Atlanta's Piedmont Park on June 5, 1980. The independent candidate was here seeking support for his bid to be placed on the Georgia presidential ballot.

In September 1995, people pack the walkways of Piedmont Park Arts Festival to view and purchase the wares of artists from all over the country.

An art show in Piedmont Park in May 1958. LBCE8-027a, Lane Brothers Commercial Photographers Photographic Collection, 1920-1976. Photographic Collection, Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library.

A selection of sculptures on view at an arrt show in Piedmont Park in May 1958. LBCE8-027c, Lane Brothers Commercial Photographers Photographic Collection, 1920-1976. Photographic Collection, Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library.

Crowds watch a orchestral performance in Piedmont Park by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in June 1980

Concertgoers watch the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra perform in Piedmont Park in July 1979

This photo from 1895 was taken at the Cotton States and International Exposition and shows Piedmont Parkâs Lake Clara Meer and the exhibition halls.

An aerial photo from Jan. 5, 1982, shows Midtown and Piedmont Park, which is in the lower right.

College students dance in Piedmont Park during Freaknik on April 23, 1994.

July 7, 1999, was a hot, hot day in Atlanta. Rico, a boxer belonging to Noah Westwood of Atlanta took refuge in the lake at Piedmont Park while out on a walk with his owner.

During a heat wave, folks went fishing in the lake at Piedmont Park on Aug. 15, 1972.

Piedmont Park golf shop display cases and equipment, Dec. 5, 1975.

The Piedmont Golf Course clubhouse (a 1928 structure thatâs now the Park Tavern) is seen here in December 1975. It became vacant when the city closed park's golf course in 1979.

June 25, 1979 - Atlanta, Ga.: Rain interrupted the Gay Pride celebration at Piedmont Park on June 25, 1979. A man in a white suit with an umbrella walks toward the shelter of the pavillion.

An aerial view of the Midtown skyline with Piedmont Park in the foreground. Photo taken Saturday, Aug. 2, 1997.

Top soil washed away revealing the roots of a tree along the drained lake at Piedmont Park in Atlanta in 1985.

Water problems: A greenish-brown residue floats in the lower portion of Lake Clara Meer in Piedmont Park, catching debris in 1987.

Atlanta restaurateur Richmond Smith talks about plans to open a new restaurant called Parkside in the old clubhouse at Piedmont Park. This photo was taken March 17, 1987. Richmond Smith died on Aug. 24, 2017.

Preparing to serve up some grub at an event in Piedmont Park on Sept. 26, 1970. LBSCE1-62b, Lane Brothers Commercial Photographers Photographic Collection, 1920-1976. Photographic Collection, Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library.

The food is ready to go at this event at Piedmong Park on Sept. 26, 1970. LBSCE1-62a, Lane Brothers Commercial Photographers Photographic Collection, 1920-1976. Photographic Collection, Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library.

The tennis courts at Piedmont Park in 1941. LBGPF3-128a, Lane Brothers Commercial Photographers Photographic Collection, 1920-1976. Photographic Collection, Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library.

Swimmers enjoying the newly integrated Lake Clara. Meer at Piedmont Park on June 12, 1963.

A young man dives off the board into the pool at Piedmont Park in September 1978.

Sam Baker singing during the Gay Pride festivities in Piedmont Park, Atlanta, Georgia, June 24, 1989.

An undated photos shows runners racing through Piedmont Park during the Peachtree Road Race, sometime in the 1970s.

Seed & Feed Marching Abominable Band performing in Piedmont Park in May 1979.

Sledders in Piedmont Park enjoying the snow on Jan. 18, 1948.

Sledders enjoying the snow in Piedmont Park during the March 1993 blizzard.

Sledders enjoying the snow in Piedmont Park during the March 1993 blizzard.

Vistors to Piedmont Park enjoying a recent snowfall in January 1948.

Tear gas unleashed on hippies attending a concert in Piedmont Park on Sept. 22, 1969.

Bill Sehoyan walks ' Bo' in Piedmont Park where in the city of Atlanta starting next week if Mayor Bill Campbell approves, a dog scoop law will go into effect requiring dog owners to scoop their dogs unpleasant deposits and properly dispose of their bio- soil. Fines could go as high as a thousand dollars and 6 months in jail. Sehoyan thinks it's a good idea as he waits for a human friend to emerge from the PEOPLE toliets . (AJC Staff Photo/John Spink) 8/96

980218 - Atlanta, Georgia - The Hill in Peidmont Park has been a great place for runners to run on a soft dirt surface as oppposed to the hard concrete city sidewalks. Photo taken on Feb 18, 1998. (AJC Staff Photo/Alicia Hansen)

980317 ATLANTA, GA: Jill Hargis running in Piedmont Park. (AJC Staff Photo/Rich Addicks)

It was obviously a very warm autumn day as Jan Nichols took a break from roller skating to sunbath on a stone wall in Piedmont Park on October 21, 1979.

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This scene at Piedmont Park pool was similar to those at other city swimming pools Labor Day as Atlanta youngsters took to the water for a last swim in Septembr 1957. The pools officially closed at 10:30pm Monday in preparation for the opening of school Tuesday.

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