Flashback photos: 60 years ago, Atlanta and Georgia in 1959 (Part Two)

Things to Do

Flashback photos: 60 years ago, Atlanta and Georgia in 1959 (Part Two)

“Ben Hur” was screening at the Roxy in downtown. Fran Tarkenton was playing for the Bulldogs. Ernest Vandiver became Georgia’s governor. Take a look back at Atlanta and Georgia as they were 60 years ago.

The intersection of Peachtree and Pharr roads in November 1959. N06-079_01, Tracy O'Neal Photographic Collection, 1923-1975, Photographic Collection. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University.

An aerial view of downtown Atlanta in July 1959. N06-085_02, Tracy O'Neal Photographic Collection, 1923-1975, Photographic Collection. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University.

Another aerialview of Atlanta from 1959.

Apartment building at 348-50 East Paces Ferry Road, December 1959. N06-080_01, Tracy O'Neal Photographic Collection, 1923-1975, Photographic Collection. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University.

A view of Atlanta from the Fulton National Bank Building at 55 Marietta Street in December 1959. N06-089_01, Tracy O'Neal Photographic Collection, 1923-1975, Photographic Collection. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University.

Atlanta skyline as seem from the Fulton National Bank Building in December 1959. The building is at 55 Marietta Street and was the former site of the U.S. Post Office and Customs House. N06-089_04, Tracy O'Neal Photographic Collection, 1923-1975, Photographic Collection. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University.

Color transparency of Roxy Theatre marquee during the run of "Ben Hur." The film premiered in New York on November 18, 1959, and was probably at Atlanta's Roxy Theatre (on Peachtree Street; demolished in 1972) in December of the same year. Lane Brothers Commercial Photographers Photographic Collection, 1920-1976. Photographic Collection, Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library. LBRE006-013

Eastern Air Line pilots walking towards their planes, January 1959.

Line of trucks and produce at the farmers market in Forest Park in April 1959.

Another view of the Florsheim Shoes store at Peachtree and Auburn in May 1959. N06-153_01, Tracy O'Neal Photographic Collection, 1923-1975, Photographic Collection. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University.

Florsheim Shoes at the corner of Peachtree Street and Auburn Avenue in Atlanta in May 1959. N06-153_02, Tracy O'Neal Photographic Collection, 1923-1975, Photographic Collection. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University.

Georgia Bulldog's Fran Tarkenton showing two flight attendants football drills, November 1959.

Georgia Bulldogs coach Wally Butts (center) with Fran Tarkenton (left) and Pat Dye, 1959.

The old Fulton Tower Jail, which was built in 1898 and torn down in 1962, just three years after this photo was taken in September 1959. It was located on Butler Street, which is now Jesse Hill Jr. Drive.

A gas station on Northside Drive at Simpson in March 1959. N07-024_01, Tracy O'Neal Photographic Collection, 1923-1975, Photographic Collection. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University.

Children enjoying a merry-go-round at Grant Park in July 1959.

The original caption reads: "Workmen found missing housewife's body at this spot. Dr. Herman Jones points out shallow hole which was Mrs. Coats' grave." The photo was taken on March 18, 1959. Francis Jane Coats, 33, of Chamblee, was strangled with the cord from a venetian blind, according to a report at the time. Her husband was charged with murder.

Actress Susan Hayward arrives back home in Georgia after winning the Oscar for "I Want to Live" in 1959. Hayward had married Georgian Eaton Chalkey in 1957 and the couple lived on a farm near Carrolton. Following her death in 1975, she was buried at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Carrollton.

A closer look at the Hill Manufacturing Company warehouse at 1500 Jonesboro Road in April 1959. N06-166_03, Tracy O'Neal Photographic Collection, 1923-1975, Photographic Collection. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University.

Hill Manufacturing Company warehouse at 1500 Jonesboro Road in April 1959. N06-166_04, Tracy O'Neal Photographic Collection, 1923-1975, Photographic Collection. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University.

Another view of the inauguration ceremony for Georgia governor Ernest Vandiver in Atlanta on January 13, 1959.

Inauguration ceremony for Georgia governor Ernest Vandiver in Atlanta on January 13, 1959.

The intersection of Roswell Road and Lakemoore Drive in September 1959. N07-001_01, Tracy O'Neal Photographic Collection, 1923-1975, Photographic Collection. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University.

The sign for the North Druid Hills Road exit off of I-85 in October 1959. N06-146_01, Tracy O'Neal Photographic Collection, 1923-1975, Photographic Collection. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University.

The original caption info reads: "Canine patrol makes debut in the dark in downtown Atlanta. Patrolman Gilman, left, patrols alley; Patrolman Harrison pets his partner." The photos were taken on November 25, 1959.

Civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. (left) and Roy Wilkins, promoting voter registration in Atlanta in 1959.

Uga, the University of Georgia's bulldog mascot, with a cheerleader in Athens in September 1959.

The Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the gold dome of the State Capitol in April 1959.

Cheerleaders on top of the Ramblin' Wreck try to get the crowd going during a Georgia Tech game, 1959.

1/29

The intersection of Peachtree and Pharr roads in November 1959. N06-079_01, Tracy O'Neal Photographic Collection, 1923-1975, Photographic Collection. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University.

Today's Gallery Headlines

Coca-Cola first ad

PHOTOS: Coca-Cola ads over time

Alonzo Herndon

PHOTOS: Philanthropists leave mark on Atlanta

gainesville, thomas county central

PHOTOS: Thomas County Central pummels Gainesville for 5A state title

jefferson, sandy creek

PHOTOS: Sandy Creek defeats Jefferson for Class 3A championship

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

4th Annual Rick Ross Car Show

PHOTOS: Rapper Rick Ross holds 4th annual car show in Fayetteville