Flashback photos: 30 years ago, Atlanta and Georgia in 1989 (Part One)

Metro Atlanta

Flashback photos: 30 years ago, Atlanta and Georgia in 1989 (Part One)

Atlanta was playing host to numerous International Olympic Committee notables. The Braves’ roster included John Smoltz and Dale Murphy. And, because some things never change, traffic was a major headache. Take a look back at our city and state as they were in 1989.

U.S. Hwy 78 in Snellville, GA that has reversible lanes lanes ... during evening rush hour...traveling toward Snellville from Atlanta. April 26, 1989. (Charlotte B. Teagle / AJC staff)

Traffic gridlock on Roswell Road, Sandy Springs. (Charlotte Teagle / AJC staff) 1989

Atlanta Braves pitching coach Bruce Dal Canton watches John Smoltz warming up in the bullpen before a start in 1989. Greg Foster / AJC

Restaurant owner and railroad enthusiast, Dante Stephenson, outside of the private coach where he lives, Atlanta, Georgia, December 19, 1989. STEVE DEAL

AJCP521-210c, Atlanta Journal-Constitution Photographic Archives. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library.

Gorilla Willie B. with his first mate, Kinyani, at Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, September 8, 1989.
Photographer: Rich Mahan/staff

Newspaper assignment sheet attached to verso of print identifies the photographer (Frank Niemeir): "Deion Sanders on the bench with 2 minutes or less left in the game Sunday with the Rams. Color.

Newspaper assignment sheet attached to verso of print identifies the photographer (Frank Niemeir): "Falcons Deion Sanders waves on the crowd before returning a punt for 68 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter of play against the Rams on SUnday. Available in color.

Newspaper assignment sheet attached to verso of print identifies the photographer (Frank Niemer): "Deion Sanders plays with the football on the bench with less than 2 minutes to go in the Rams game Sunday. Color." Caption attached to verso: "Deion Sanders: One of NFL's top defensive backs." Caption date-stamped "Fri Jul 3 1992 J C.

Scenic Highway 124 is being widened just outside of Snellville. February 22, 1989. (Dianne Laakso / AJC staff)

19890711 - WOODSTOCK, GA -- This view is looking at Hwy 92 toward the intersection with Hwy 5 just outside Woodstock. Hwy 92 used to be a two lane country road. Now it is multi-landed and growing with fast food restaurants and other commercial growth. (CALVIN CRUCE/AJC staff) 1989

Sandy Springs residents blame Fulton County for problems like this congestion along Roswell Road - a jumble of vehicles, utility poles and business signs. February 17, 1989 (Michael Barrett / Special)

Atlanta Botanical Garden. Crowd waiting to get in the Fuqua Conservatory opening. March 18, 1989. (Nick Arroyo / AJC staff)

Braves vs Padres
Braves Smoltz pitching for the Braves. (Frank Niemeir / AJC staff) 1989

Cars whiz by the Concourse Tower on Peachtree Dunwoody Road. Developers contributed to widening the road by paying impact fees assessed by Fulton County. The county is considering legislation to standardize the fees. Photo taken October 25, 1989 (Walter Stricklin/AJC staff)

Vera (left) and Herman Johnson stand with their daughter, Beverly, and son-in-low, Doug Hamrick (right), in front of their boarded-up store. The couple was evicted from the building Wednesday. The county wants to widen the road but has been unable to reach a financial agreement with the Johnsons. (Charlotte B. Teagle/AJC staff) 1989

Sept. 5, 1989 - Atlanta, GA -- Mayor Andrew Young and Mrs. Coretta Scott King give Louis Guirandou-N'Diave (CQ) of the Ivory Coast and Raja Bhalendra Singh (CQ) of India a tour of the King Center. These two committee members were among the many visiting Atlanta this past week. (Johnny Crawford/AJC staff)

The recently completed Downtown Connector with the Atlanta, GA skyline in the background. (Photo taken May 26, 1989. (Michael Schwarz/AJC staff)

19890225 - VININGS, GA -- The Sanders-Robinson House in Vinings, a four-room home constructed around the 1880s, is readied for its move to a more suitable site in Pickens County. Efforts to keep the historic structure in Cobb fell through. Developers plan to build an office buildings on the old home site. (JOE McTYRE/AJC staff) 1989

ATLANTA, GA - Alexander Williams enjoys the sunshine while sitting down in the heart of Vine City. Photo taken May 19, 1989. (JOHNNY CRAWFORD/AJC staff)

ATLANTA, GA - Hazel Williamson points to where he was born in Vine City. He is one of the senior citizens that remain in the neighborhood. Photo taken May 19, 1989. (JOHNNY CRAWFORD/AJC staff)

The Varsity restaurant is an Atlanta landmark. Photo taken January 31, 1989. (RENEE' HANNANS/AJC staff)

Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, developer John Portman and mayor-elect Mayor Jackson used flags to signal the demolition of a building at Harris and Spring streets. Mr. Portman plans to build his Atlanta Gift Mart at the site. (Photo taken Dec. 29, 1989. (RICH MAHAN/AJC staff)

19890902 - NORCROSS, GA - A car passes by one of many small American flags lining the street through old downtown Norcross. (Ben Baxter/Special) 1989

19890902 - NORCROSS, GA -- A truck passes as sign welcoming visitors to historic Norcross. The city is trying to revitalize its slumping downton business district. (BEN BAXTER/Special) 1989

19890711 - WOODSTOCK, GA -- Police chief H.G. "Bill" Thompson (left) and Woodstock mayor Evelyn W. Chambers in front of the old depot on Main Street in downtown Woodstock. Railroad tracks through the center of town and an old Railroad depot are fixtures in many small rural Georgia towns. (CALVIN CRUCE/AJC staff) 1989

Nov. 22, 1989 - Alpharetta City Hall, renovated two years ago, exemplifies the Colonial Williamsburg look after mandated for all subsequent construction in the town's central business district by a 1988 city ordinance. (Marvin Hill Jr./AJC staff) 1989

Backstreet's downstairs main bar in 1989.
Courtesy: Backstreet

891004 - ATLANTA, GA -- Maynard Jackson waves to the crowd of his supporters after winning his second term as mayor of Atlanta. (Jonathan Newton/AJC staff) 1989

March 21, 1989 - Jim Sullivan, who is a member of Forest Watch, looks over Woodall Shoals which is part the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River. Rabun County is considering a site less than a quarter mile from the river boundry for an airport. This is a much opposed site and is only one of four possibilities. (Walter Stricklin/AJC staff) 1989

Aug. 25, 1989 - Prince Albert of Monaco, one of four International Olympic Committee members touring Atlanta's sports facilities, reacts to an unexpected welcome at Georgia Tech.

Aug. 24, 1989 - Atlanta, Ga.: L-R: Mayor Andrew Young, Prince Albert of Monaco and Charles Battle of AOC during tour of city hall.

970708 Richard Arpino, Hairstylist shown in this November 2, 1989 photo. (AJC Staff Photo/Dwight Ross, Jr.)

December 27, 1989 - Atlanta, GA -- Peachtree St. south of Alabama St. showing what the city considers tacky storefronts that conflict with the image they want a Peachtree Street address to convey. They are planning a rejuvenation of Peachtree St. (Rich Mahan/AJC staff)

December 27, 1989 - Atlanta, GA -- Peachtree and Mitchell Streets near Underground Atlanta. Area is home to boarded up buildings and parking lots.

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U.S. Hwy 78 in Snellville, GA that has reversible lanes lanes ... during evening rush hour...traveling toward Snellville from Atlanta. April 26, 1989. (Charlotte B. Teagle / AJC staff)

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