Flashback Photos: A visit to Atlanta's Municipal Market

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Flashback Photos: A visit to Atlanta's Municipal Market

Since the early 1900s, when Atlantans wanted fresh foods of all types, they headed downtown to the Municipal Market (now the Sweet Auburn Curb Market).

Since 1918, Atlantans have made their way to Edgewood Avenue, seeking the best in local food. We visit the Municipal Market now in the latest edition of AJC Flashback Photos. In this 1991 photo, Betty Glisson of Sandy Springs (left) buys produce from Janie Richardson at a stand in the Market. HENRIETTA SPEARMAN / AJC FILE

The Sweet Auburn Curb Market now operates in the old Municipal Market building. In this 1979 photo, the Market is shown well before its renovation, at a time when it had fallen somewhat into disrepair. But Atlantans nevertheless continued to buy fresh foods at the Edgewood Avenue landmark. BILLY DOWNS / AJC FILE

This early 20th century photo of a municipal curb market in downtown Marietta shows how the Atlanta Municipal Market’s origins likely looked at its inception in 1918. The Atlanta Municipal Market started outdoors on land cleared by the Great Atlanta Fire of 1917, quickly becoming popular with urbanites seeking fresh food from area farmers. KUHNS STUDIO / SPECIAL TO AJC

The Atlanta Woman's Club, mindful of the Great Fire which destroyed over 300 acres of land in the downtown area, raised funds to build a fireproof brick and concrete building. This edifice opened in 1924 and remains the home of the Market to this day. Here, we see a 1928 architectural sketch of the new Market. The building's cost? $150,000. AJC PHOTO ARCHIVES

In this 1984 photo, Walter Smith and Ivan Andrews (left to right), workers at Hardeman Meat Market in the Municipal Market, share a laugh with another Market vendor, Young S. Yi, owner of Young's Snacks. NICK ARROYO / AJC FILE

Bill Hardeman, owner of the Hardeman Meat Market, cuts up fresh pork at his stand in the Municipal Market in this early '80s photo. RICH ADDICKS / AJC FILE

Shoppers make their way through the stands of the Municipal Market in this 1971 photo. The picture accompanied a Sunday story with the headline "Atlanta's soul food shopping center: What's [the] future for city's Municipal Market?" By the early '70s, the Market remained an integral part of life for many Atlantans but its lease was nearing expiration and there was chatter about the Market possibly moving elsewhere. FLOYD JILLSON / AJC FILE

Roy Tinsley, a seafood vendor in the Municipal Market, is shown in July 1983 with the day's catch. City officials had pledged support for a $6.4 million expansion/upgrade of the Market. MICHAEL PUGH / AJC FILE

Mrs. W.G. Jones is shown among some fresh turnip greens in this 1978 photo. The picture was among a series in the Atlanta Journal's Lifestyle section, part of a story titled "Rituals of the Market" that followed Municipal Market shoppers and vendors during their day. LOUIE FAVORITE / AJC FILE

Original caption, 1983: "Going whole hog: The Municipal Market, where you can buy your pig whole, is going all out for a bigger spread." MICHAEL PUGH / AJC FILE

In this 1987 photo, Bayo Sulaimon, owner of The Curiosity Shop, is profiled. Sulaimon was appealing his eviction from the Market, claiming that conditions in the building were cramped and unsanitary. Sulaimon owed $1200 in overdue rent and late charges. JOEY IVANSCO / AJC FILE

'Pigman' W.C. Hardeman is shown among some fresh porkers in his meat cooler in this 1978 photo. LOUIE FAVORITE / AJC FILE

July 1978 -- Willie Mae Johnson shells peas to sell in the Market. LOUIE FAVORITE / AJC FILE

Choi Hyun Ok waters down fresh vegetables for sale in the Market in this 1987 photo. LOUIE FAVORITE / AJC FILE

June 1976 -- From frog legs to crab meat to salt cod in boxes, shoppers had plenty of meat and seafood choices during a trip to the Market. AJC PHOTO ARCHIVES

At over 100 years old, the Atlanta Municipal Market (now called the Sweet Auburn Curb Market) remains a vital and vibrant part of the city scene. It's changed greatly since this 1949 photo was taken, but the Market's main purpose -- bringing fresh local food to hungry Atlantans -- remains the same. AJC PHOTO ARCHIVES

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Since 1918, Atlantans have made their way to Edgewood Avenue, seeking the best in local food. We visit the Municipal Market now in the latest edition of AJC Flashback Photos. In this 1991 photo, Betty Glisson of Sandy Springs (left) buys produce from Janie Richardson at a stand in the Market. HENRIETTA SPEARMAN / AJC FILE

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