Flashback photos: 40 years ago, Atlanta and Georgia in 1980

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Flashback photos: 40 years ago, Atlanta and Georgia in 1980

It was the year that CNN launched. The Falcons won their division and quarterback Steve Bartkowski made it to the Pro Bowl following the 1980 season. And, proving that moviemaking is nothing new to Atlanta, “Smokey and the Bandit II” was filmed here in 1980. Take a photographic trip back, with stops in Little Five Points, Virginia-Highland, Athens, and, with James Brown in the driver’s seat, Augusta.

A night view of Plaza Drugs, located in a the shopping center at the corner of North Highland and Ponce de Leon, on Feb. 10, 1980.

Feb. 7, 1980 -- View of the business district of Little Five Points. Moreland Avenue in foreground.

Burt Reynolds and his “Smokey and the Bandit” co-star Sally Field celebrated his birthday while filming in Atlanta. AJC archive photo

Part of the roller coaster was blown up for "Smokey & the Bandit 2" in 1982.

Kaboom!

Go, Greyhound. According to “The History of Lakewood,” it was designed by John A. Miller and in operation from 1915 to 1974 and partially rebuilt in 1956. It had been sitting idled for a few years before being used for the movie explosion scene. Atlanta Journal-Constitution Photographic Archive. Photo: Jerome McClendon

Sept. 11, 1980 -- Owner and staff of Eat Your Vegetables restaurant, Little Five Points.

Sept. 11, 1980 -- The future site of the Little 5 Points Super Market under construction.

Sept. 11, 1980 -- AEC construction site for a shopping center along Moreland Avenue in Little Five Points.

Sept. 19, 1980 -- Small businesses have traditionally been the lifeblood of Little Five Points, as was the case with Euclid Drugs, which operated an old-fashioned lunch counter and soda fountain inside its pharmacy.

Sept. 19, 1980 -- Diners enjoy a meal in one of Little Five Points' various eclectic restaurants.

Sept. 11, 1980 -- The Little 5 Points Pub launched many a music career in Atlanta over the years, most notably that of the Indigo Girls.

Sept. 19, 1980 -- Shoppers in Little Five Points take a look at the wide array of unique options offered at Flowers by Sassy Marve and Charis Books.

Sept. 11, 1980 -- Findley's Hardware was a fixture in Little Five Points from 1967-1988.

Sept. 11, 1980 -- BOND Credit Union started in 1972 as a way for Little Five Points residents to save their neighborhood and help those in the community. BOND stands for Bass Organization for Neighborhood Development, Bass being the original name of the Little Five Points area.

Sept. 11, 1980 -- Euclid Drugs in Little Five Points at the intersection of Euclid and Colquitt Avenues.

Exterior of Mrs. P's, a gay bar in a hotel on Ponce de Leon Avenue, on September 25, 1980, the day after it was raided by Atlanta police.

Old Briarcliff Hotel at the corner of Ponce de Leon Avenue and North Highland Avenue. Photo taken July 14, 1980. (STEVE DEAL/AJC staff)

The Southern Bell headquarters building at West Peachtree and Ponce de Leon Ave, a close neighbor of the Fox Theatre. (Cheryl Bray/AJC staff) 1980

December 4, 1980 -- The Strip at 10th and Peachtree looking north: Small businesses are beginning to replace such establishments as the Purple Passion Palace. Other MyAJC.com Flashback galleries: Auburn Ave. | Ponce de Leon Ave. | Cabbagetown

December 4, 1980 -- The old 10th Street barber shop is part of three stores on the east side of Peachtree Street in Midtown Atlanta. Other MyAJC.com Flashback galleries: Auburn Ave. | Ponce de Leon Ave. | Cabbagetown

December 4, 1980 -- A liquor store on the corner of 10th and Peachtree Street in Midtown Atlanta. Other MyAJC.com Flashback galleries: Auburn Ave. | Ponce de Leon Ave. | Cabbagetown

The original caption from 1980: "New shops and businesses have brought life into the block of buildings at the corner of Virginia and Highland Avenues."

Original caption: "Dec. 11, 1980 -- Work is progressing along the North Line of MARTA's rapid rail system. This view, looking north from Whitehall Terrace at Rawson Street, shows rail construction through the heart of downtown. The North Line, which will extend to Doraville, is supposed to be complete by 1985."

Atlanta Braves owner Ted Turner cheering after one of the better innings. Photo taken April 22, 1980.

Feb. 7, 1980 - MARTA train travels through the Cabbagetown neighborhood near Wylie St.

Original caption: "June 16, 1980 -- After months of being a hole in the ground, MARTA's Five Points Station is beginning to take shape. The station will be a key part of MARTA's downtown rail system. Part of it is already in use and has been since the West Line opened last December. Commuters just walk around the construction barricades to get to and from trains. The station will eventually allow people to transfer from east-west trains to those on the north and south lines still under construction."

City skyline at night on Dec. 14, 1980.

Downtown Atlanta skyline, looking west from I-20, on Nov. 24, 1980.

ATLANTA, GA — Architect John Portman at the Hyatt Regency in 1980. Portman defined Atlanta’s skyline more than any other architect or builder, and his pioneered interest in modern, soaring atriums with this hotel. (LANNA SWINDLER/AJC staff)

Construction site for the Georgia-Pacific Tower, looking southwest on Nov. 24, 1980.

800509 - ATLANTA, GA -- Promoter Rich Floyd (L), Jack Tarver Jr. felt closing of Cooley's Capri Ballroom. (LOUIE FAVORITE/AJC staff)

19800425 - PINE LAKE, GA - Long line of cars snakes around Sing Food Store pumps in Pine Lake. (STEVE DEAL/AJC staff)

19801214 - ATLANTA, GA - Steve Bartkowski after the game. (JOE BENTON/AJC staff) 1980

Steve Bartkowski is back to lead the Atlanta Falcon offense. (GEORGE CLARK/AJC staff) 1980

Herschel Walker winks at the cameras during an interview about his football career path, circa 1980. Michael Pugh / AJC file photo

Sanford Stadium's "Track People" watch the Bulldogs from the railroad tracks in 1980. The addition to the stadium took away this view later. Steve Deal / AJC

After a meal of fried chicken in his office, James Brown drove Bill King and photographer W.A. Bridges around Augusta in October, 1980. W.A. BRIDGES/AJC FILE

James Brown shows off his Mercedes 450 SE before taking AJC reporter Bill King and photographer W.A. Bridges on a tour of Augusta in October 1980.

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A night view of Plaza Drugs, located in a the shopping center at the corner of North Highland and Ponce de Leon, on Feb. 10, 1980.

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