Atlanta Reconstitution

06/11/2019

The Automobile Ordinance – June 23, 1904

The Atlanta City Council created the city’s first speed limits in June 1904. Physicians and surgeons were exempt “when using their automobiles in answering emergency calls.”

The Constitution: Atlanta, GA – Thursday, June 23, 1904 The general council of Atlanta is to be congratulated on adopting an ordinance regulating the operation of automobiles on the streets of the city. The rapidly increasing local use of these machines, the number of more or less serious acciden...

06/11/2019

Atlanta Reconstitution

03/06/2019

AJC

AJC

So, the scooter debate isn't new:
More than a century ago, motorized scooters made their debut on Peachtree Street, and the Atlanta Constitution was there to record the mayhem.

06/15/2018

150 years of The Atlanta Constitution

Happy 150th birthday to the Atlanta Constitution!

A special presentation celebrating 150 years of The Atlanta Constitution newspaper. See the city’s history come alive through a collection of historic front pages.

12/31/2015

From the Atlanta Constitution on December 31, 1915:

Atlanta will be in festive spirits as the throngs from the theaters pass from the amusement houses and as residents of every district make the business and hotel sections of the city their destination. Brilliant lights, festive decorations, pleasing music and happy crowds will contribute to the scenes of splendor which will mark the passing of the old year.

09/02/2015

ATLANTA HEADS FULL OF WHEELS

From the Atlanta Constitution on April 19, 1896:

GOOD ROADS FOR BICYCLISTS

Peachtree street is the wheelman’s delight. Pryor street is satisfying to the most fastidious. Aside from these two thoroughfares Atlanta is deficient in bicycle paths, but the suburban roads afford excellent riding. Those who have ridden long enough to become inured to a good, long tour, find a spin out to Lithia Springs or Stone Mountain enjoyable. The roadways through and around Inman Park are good. The trip to Buckhead makes a pleasing run of fourteen miles. One of the favorite bicycle paths is along the old Peachtree road and great things are expected of the road to the barracks if the government will pass the appropriation for improving it.

Atlanta Bicycle Coalition City of Atlanta Department of Planning

The Constitution: Atlanta, GA - Sunday, April 19, 1896 Nearly Everybody, Young and Old, Rich and Poor, Is Riding Nowadays. When Atlanta's first big exposition was in progress fifteen years ago a sp...

06/27/2015

From the Atlanta Constitution on July 18, 1919:

05/24/2015

Atlanta Reconstitution

05/24/2015

Patriotic Mr. Day

“Atlanta has no flag. Atlanta has no colors. Suppose some day the members of council should be called out in a body, as it often occurs; suppose there should be a public parade in which Atlanta ought to be represented, would it not be well for some emblematic colors to be displayed; would it not be meet and proper for us to fly our flag?”

THE CONSTITUTION, ATLANTA, GA. SATURDAY, MAY 9, 1896. A Civic Insignia for Atlanta Seems To Be His Fad. HIS UNIQUE COLOR SCHEME The Sanitary Committee Considers the City Flag, but the Aldermanic Bo...

05/19/2015

Listicles, aggregation, and content gone viral: How 1800s newspapers prefigured today’s Internet

Many 19th-century newspapers are comprised primarily of content from other newspapers. And there are lots of ads, too.

"If you think BuzzFeed invented the listicle, you haven't spent enough time with 19th-century newspapers, because they're everywhere." That's Ryan Cordell, a Northeastern University professor who researches virality in 19th-century newspapers, during a talk he gave recently at MIT. …

02/14/2015

Platonic Kiss Is O.K. Even at Five Points Asserts Police Chief | Atlanta Reconstitution

Happy Valentine's Day!

“A light imprint of the lips, gentle, brief and dispassionate. A heavenly collision of the lips or the lips with the cheek.” – Chief James L. Beavers’ analysis of a kiss.

11/22/2014

This apartment complex is now known as North High Ridge Apartments and is located at the corner of North Ave and North Highland Ave.

10/27/2014

If you believe this ad from 1913, West Peachtree Street is your short-cut to wealth!

06/09/2014

What Atlanta Most Needs and How She Can Get It

"I have been in more than 300 American communities, but I have never found one needing a comprehensive survey and a successful plan upon which to operate so much as Atlanta. Nor, indeed, to be just, have I found conditions more generally favorable for such a plan."

THE CONSTITUTION, ATLANTA, GA. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1912. By DR. J. HORACE MacFarland Atlanta is sick, "pow' ful bad off," as Aunt Lizbeth might say, and what she needs is drastically recommended b...

03/22/2014

NO SKATING ON THE ASPHALT

NO SKATING ON THE ASPHALT

THE CONSTITUTION: ATLANTA, GA. SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1899. The Edict Goes Forth from the Police Court. BOMBSHELL TO THE SKATERS An Arrest Made Yesterday Morning as a Test Case—Ruling of the Police ...

01/25/2014

ATLANTA'S POLICE CHIEF JOINS AUTO RANKS; NO SPEED LIMIT WHEN CAR IS ANSWERING CALL

"There will be no speed limit when a call is being answered."

THE CONSTITUTION, ATLANTA, GA., SUNDAY, AUGUST 18, 1912. Chief of Police Beavers has at last gotten his automobile. Like many other improvements, this one was a long time in coming, but now ...

06/16/2013

Atlanta History Center

Atlanta History Center

June 16, 1868 - The first issue of the Atlanta Constitution was published.

04/05/2013

“BASKET BALL.”

We're not sure about the "small bats" used at the first basketball game in Atlanta, but let's hope they're not used this weekend!

THE CONSTITUTION: ATLANTA, GA. THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 1893. A New Game That Will Be Inaugurated at the Christian Association Tomorrow. At the Young Men’s Christian Association tomorrow night the...

03/01/2013

Atlanta Constitution ad in the 1889 Atlanta City Directory

01/21/2013

ATLANTA WILL HAVE NO FOOTBALL

ATLANTA WILL HAVE NO FOOTBALL

NOVEMBER 2, 1897 City Council Adopts an Ordinance Outlawing the Sport. — NO GAMES IN CITY LIMITS — The Ordinance Applies to Small Boys and Big Men...

12/31/2012

Reforms in Atlanta Government Suggested by Herbert R. Sands

One-hundred years later, which of these "resolutions" recommended by Herbert R. Sands of New York - "one of the highest authorities on municipal accounting and organization in the country" - should Atlanta still consider implementing?

The Constitution: Atlanta, GA – Tuesday, December 31, 1912 Provide a simpler form of government. Give the mayor more administrative power. Establish police substations over the city. Abolish the po...

10/04/2012

“Hot Tamale!” Yells Crowd, While Weinerwurst Stand Burns Up at Five Points | Atlanta Reconstitution

"Hot Tamale!"

When the gasolene burner and the cloth top of a wienerwurst stand got in too close proximity to each other there was trouble last night for a Greek “wienie man” at Five Points.

08/29/2012

“JAY WALKING” IS A DISEASE IN ATLANTA DECLARE THE WORRIED TRAFFIC OFFICERS | August 27, 1912

"It used to be a habit... but now it is a disease."

Quizz the first cop you meet, inquire of your family physician, or one of the bonesetters at any hospital, or ask the guy who holds the inquest.

08/16/2012

AUTOMOBILES ARE GREAT CARS FOR USE IN CITY | March 28, 1909

"...but still Atlanta folk don’t like the electric car."

“Atlantans are either speed-loving people, or they don’t know a good thing when they see it,” said Morris Rich yesterday, when asked why Gate City autoists had not taken to the electric car."

07/13/2012

CITY’S NEW PARK ON DAVIS STREET | Atlanta Reconstitution - 02/20/1901

Would Arthur Blank help fund the new "Historic Mims Park" if it could temporarily be known as "Historic Blank Park?"

The city will soon have a new park near the Davis street school, to be known as “Blank park,” or at least that’s the way it appears in the ordinance adopted by council yesterday, dedicating the tract in question as a park and putting it under control of the bard of park commissioners.

07/11/2012

"There may be those who prefer piffle to the real news of the day. To such we can only say The Constitution is not the paper for them." - The Atlanta Constitution - Sunday, February 1, 1914

04/23/2012

Atlanta’s Gulch | April 23, 1913

How long have Atlantans used "the gulch" to describe the area of downtown near the railroad tracks? At least 99 years!

There is a distinct connection between grand opera week and the revival of the projects for sinking the tracks of the Georgia and state railroads and building viaducts over Pryor street and Central avenue. The town is thronged with representative visitors from every portion of the south. Most of the...

04/01/2012

Atlanta Reconstitution's cover photo

03/25/2012

Atlanta’s Produce Row | October 27, 1912

"All in all, Produce Row is among the most romantic spots in Atlanta."

Sometimes a man is heard lamenting that the days of romance are over. He will wish that he had lived in the days of chivalry. That man is blind. He has only to look around and he will see more romance today than was ever seen at one time in the history of the world before.

02/07/2012

"ASCII art" - July 18, 1875 ad for Furchgott, Benedict & Co.

01/22/2012

All Roads Lead to Atlanta (1894)

12/12/2011

These images of the Constitution's first three homes (and first safe!) were published on the newspaper's 30th anniversary - June 16, 1898.

12/12/2011

The Beauty of Rapid Transit - March 9, 1890

"...the car became ambitious and left the track, and before it could be got on again, the passengers were compelled to get out in the rain and help the driver put it on again. This is such a common occurrence that nothing was thought of it."

11/20/2011

This advertisement appeared in the Atlanta Constitution in 1891. Adjusted for inflation the bicycles, the bicycles would cost around $600 and $2,000 respectively.

J. H. Nunnally was primarily a candy manufacturer. 36 Whitehall is now known as 66 Peachtree St SW.