Photos: Atlanta's Christmas tree lightings through the years

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Atlanta's Great Tree lighting over the years

From Rich's to Underground Atlanta to Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square mall, look at Christmas tree lightings in Atlanta through the years.

Rich's-Macy's Great Tree at Lenox Mall. Handout photo.

ATLANTA, GA - Nov. 25, 1954 - Record Crowd Throngs Downtown Atlanta for Lighting of Tree: Most of them stood, but a few veteran watchers brought chairs. (HUGH STOVALL/AJC staff) Before there was a Lenox Square there was a downtown Atlanta and the annual tree lighting on Thanksgiving was the official kickoff of the Christmas season. The tree was atop Rich's department store's downtown building. 1954 was the 7th year and the crowd was estimated at at least 75,000.

What year was this tree lighting? We wish we knew. Looks like a good crowd though.

Another undated downtown tree lighting on Forsyth Street photo. The floors under the tree were called the Crystal Bridge.

After the downtown Rich's department store closed in 1991, the tree lighting moved to Underground Atlanta. This photo was shot in 1998. Staff photo by Joey Ivansco.

Another good shot of the great tree at Underground Atlanta in 1994.

2000 was the first year the tree lighting was at Lenox Square. The Rich's name was still in use at that time. (JENNI GIRTMAN/STAFF)

The 52nd Lighting of Rich's Great Tree illuminated downtown Atlanta despite the rain and fog that blanketed the city skyline Thurday evening November 25, 1999. (PHOTO BY BITA HONARVAR/AJC STAFF)

Rich's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square in 2004. (JENNI GIRTMAN/AJC staff)

Fireworks go off after the 63rd annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall on Thursday, Nov. 25, 2010. This year's Great Tree is a 62-foot White Pine that weighs in at 12,000 pounds, and was donated by Larry and Kathryn Rymer of Ocoee, Tenn. Thursday, November 26, 2009.

The Macy's Great Tree was a great big mess Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013 after a crane broke while lowering the Christmas tree from atop the department store at Lenox Square mall. The accident happened long after the party was over. JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM

Fireworks explode in the air above the 56 foot tree during the 66th annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Thursday, November 28, 2013. Thousands of people came out to watch performances by Brett Eldredge, Judith Hill, Megan Hilty and others as well as drink hot chocolate, see Santa and of course watch the lighting of the 56 foot tree. JONATHAN PHILLIPS / SPECIAL

The 2014 tree: November 27, 2014 Atlanta - Fireworks go off above the Christmas tree on top of the Macy's building at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta during the annual tree lighting ceremony on Thursday, November 27, 2014. Thousands of people came out to watch the show which featured performances by The Isley Brothers, Pentatonix, tenor Timothy Miller and many more. JONATHAN PHILLIPS / SPECIAL

Thousands of Atlantans comeout to celebrate the 69th annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016 in Atlanta. The 56-foot tree will be on display on the rooftop of the Macy's at Lenox Square Mall until January 1, 2017. (John Amis/AP Images for Macy's)

Fireworks go off behind the Christmas tree during the Macy's 69th Annual Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall, Sunday, November 20, 2016, in Atlanta, GA. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

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Rich's-Macy's Great Tree at Lenox Mall. Handout photo.

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