South Downtown Atlanta

“The deadliest fire in the history of Atlanta swept the Terminal Hotel shortly after 3 a.m. Monday.⁠ ⁠ Flames transformed the five-story brick and frame structure at Spring and Mitchell Streets into a horrible inferno.”⁠ ⁠ That was the Atlanta Journal’s front page lede on the morning of May 16, 1938.⁠ ⁠ Throughout the early 1900s, South Downtown’s Hotel Row offered lodging to passengers traveling in and out of the city's busiest rail station.⁠ ⁠ The grandest hotel along Mitchell Street was Terminal Hotel.⁠ ⁠ Just three years after it opened in 1905, the Terminal Hotel was severely damaged by fire. However, the hotel was restored and continued to serve guests in South Downtown for the next 30 years.⁠ ⁠ But it was in 1938 when an even more catastrophic fire ignited in the building's basement. Local newspapers noted the heroic efforts of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department who saved many lives. Despite their efforts, 35 people perished.⁠ ⁠ Though it was the anchor of historic Hotel Row, Terminal Hotel was eventually razed. A shorter white brick building now stands in its place.

Another beautiful morning with jazz on Broad Street!

On a day celebrating red, white, & blue, it seems fitting to share this newly colorized photo from South Downtown’s past.⁠ 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸⁠ ⁠ In 1927, aviator Charles Lindbergh made history by flying non-stop from New York City to Paris. This first solo transatlantic flight catapulted him to global fame.⁠ ⁠ Later that year he embarked on an 82-city tour around the US. ⁠ ⁠ In October, he touched down at Atlanta's tiny Candler Field (today's Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport). A crowd of 50,000 roared as he emerged from his plane.⁠ ⁠ When his caravan arrived in Downtown Atlanta, an even larger crowd filled the streets to catch a glimpse of the famous pilot. ⁠ ⁠ His parade route snaked through the streets of South Downtown, traveling north on Peachtree, on its way to Pershing Point in Midtown.⁠ ⁠ The Atlanta Constitution described the scene,⁠ ⁠ "On lower Whitehall, the sidewalks were banked by cheering spectators, while every window and many rooftops overlooking the streets held their quotas of enthusiastic spectators.⁠ ⁠ All business was at a standstill, and workers of downtown business establishments thronged every point of vantage.⁠ ⁠ Confetti in showers drifted down into the windswept streets as the pro-⁠ cession sped through Five Points."⁠ ⁠ Though there may be no confetti, we hope your day is filled with a good dose of patriotic fanfare. Happy Independence Day, Atlanta! 🇺🇸 🧨🎇⁠ ⁠ Original black & white photo: Atlanta History Center

Lot Party this Thursday (6/27) in South Downtown at 4:00 p.m. on S. Broad Street. Come through to 99 Broad before the game!

We love the rich history in South Downtown and continue to uncover more and more every week. This one specific story is from 1999, when Paul McCartney got out of his car on South Broad Street and saw something that inspired his next album cover. ⁠ ⁠ That’s the story @aprilstammel is sharing in this month’s installment of HEY, APRIL!⁠ ⁠ If you’ve got questions for April or a favorite story of Atlanta's history, drop them below.

In the early 1900s, he was a pioneer in Atlanta’s black community. And his office was right here in South Downtown. ⁠ ⁠ Peyton A. Allen was born in 1867 in Pearce County, Georgia. After getting a degree from Atlanta University, he taught school in Newman and eventually became the principal.⁠ ⁠ In the late 1890s he began studying law. In 1899 he passed the Georgia Bar exam and became one of the first black attorneys in Atlanta. Within just a few years of launching his law practice, he began representing many of Atlanta’s black elites.⁠ ⁠ Outside of his law practice, Allen distinguished himself as a highly respected civic leader. He was a member at Atlanta’s @firstchurchatl where he once spoke alongside the legendary Booker T. Washington. He also served on the boards for the YMCA and the Atlanta chapter of the NAACP. The Atlanta Constitution once noted his ability to give “stirring spiritual talks" at civic events around town.⁠ ⁠ Despite his many successes, Peyton Allen still had to navigate the injustices of the Jim Crow era. ⁠ ⁠ When Atlanta segregated streetcars in the early 1900s, African Americans were forced to ride in the back. In an act of resistance, Peyton Allen boycotted, choosing to ride his bicycle to work instead.⁠ ⁠⁠ In the early 1900s, Allen kept an office at 79 Broad Street here in South Downtown. (Today, the building there is known for its mural by Atlanta artist, Yoyo Ferro...pictured above.)⁠ ⁠ Allen passed away in 1936 at the age of 69. Though most Atlantans don’t know his story, Peyton Allen was esteemed during his time. The Atlanta Constitution once wrote of him, "He has built up a good practice in the civil courts and owns considerable property in this city. His career is a striking example of a model citizen and demonstrates what energy and perseverance can do, even in the face of the most adverse difficulties."⁠ ⁠ Today, on Juneteenth, we celebrate a neighborhood hero and true Atlanta icon—attorney, civic leader, and activist, Peyton A. Allen.

RenderATL (Render Atlanta) and Atlanta Tech Week are in full force! The Underground Atlanta team showed us the now and tomorrow. Blown away by the art, energy, music, and real-time activations. In an hour we experienced Masquerade, MJQ’s soon to be entrance, three art galleries, live music, a cat-infused vinyl listening lounge, a selfie-museum, and a delicious daquari. Below is a picture of team members from H. J. Russell & Company, Underground Atlanta, and South Downtown Atlanta. Collaboration and commerce is how Atlanta became Atlanta! Shaneel Lalani, David Tracht, Lyle B., and Jacob Vallo with Underground. HJ "Russ" Russell III, Rob Boyd, MPS, Kennard Reeves, and Tonya Edwards. April Stammel, Brianna Jackson, and Aly Merritt (of Atlanta Tech Village)

When one walks into downtown's Spiller Park Coffee and look down, you'll notice an IMPERIAL CAFE sign. ⁠ In 1896, Greek immigrants George Nikas and Peter Verghiotis started the Imperial Fruit Company, one of Atlanta's largest wholesale fruit distributors.⁠ ⁠ In 1909 they opened Imperial Cafe on Mitchell Street, less than a block from Atlanta's largest rail station. The cafe included a postcard shop that once warehoused 300,000 postcards of Atlanta landmarks.⁠⠀⁠ ⁠⠀⁠ After arriving by train, weary travelers could walk down Mitchell Street and buy a fresh peach, hot lunch, and a souvenir postcard all at Imperial.⁠ ⁠ Though it closed its doors in 1935, you can still see the original tiling in the entrance of 233 Mitchell Street.⁠ ⁠ The entrepreneurial spirit that launched Imperial Cafe 115 years ago continues to thrive and all throughout South Downtown.⁠

The Rolling Stones are playing for 50,000+ people tonight at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. ⁠ But did you know they once played on Mitchell Street, just a few blocks away from the Benz?⁠ ⁠ 👅 👅 👅⁠ ⁠ Nearly 20 years ago, a film crew took over the old Hotel Scoville on Mitchell Street to shoot a music video for one of the greatest rock bands of all time.⁠ ⁠ "Rain Fall Down" released in 2005 on the band's "A Bigger Bang" album.⁠ In this clip, you can see Jagger & co. performing inside the rundown rooms of the Scoville.⁠ ⁠ Hotel Scoville opened on Mitchell Street in the 1910s and operated there for more than 90 years. It catered mostly to rail passengers arriving in Atlanta at nearby Terminal Station.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ 🎥: Rolling Stones via Youtube⁠

Our monthly South Downtown Atlanta newsletter, "Show vs. Tell" is out. Read below the updates from May and more!