Valerie Biggerstaff Valerie Biggerstaff

Early Georgia teachers trained at “Normal Schools”

Early schoolteachers in Georgia often received their training at what was known as Normal School.  Normal Schools were established in Georgia towards the end of the 19th century to prepare teachers to teach elementary aged students.  It was usually a two-year program and the term normal referred to establishing clear standards or “norms” for public schools.

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Valerie Biggerstaff Valerie Biggerstaff

Tragic 1929 explosion at Stone Mountain rock quarry

The March 1, 1929 Atlanta Constitution reported that an explosion at Stone Mountain near the Confederate carving killed seven men and injured six. These numbers may have increased as the days passed. The men were all working for Stone Mountain Granite Corporation.

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Valerie Biggerstaff Valerie Biggerstaff

Early, mid and late 20th century Christmas trees

Sarah Archer, in her book “Midcentury Christmas: Holiday Fads, Fancies, and Fun from 1945 to 1970,” tells how the changes in the U.S. following World War II affected the Christmas traditions.

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Valerie Biggerstaff Valerie Biggerstaff

Roosevelt Boulevard

Roosevelt Boulevard and the new bridge were dedicated on July 18, 1925. The Atlanta Constitution reported, “6,000 Georgians attend dedication of Roswell bridge and formal opening of Roosevelt Boulevard to public.” The bridge was christened with river water by Margaret Carpenter, daughter of the Cobb County Road commissioner. A wreath was placed on the bridge in memory of J. D. Wing, by his daughter Virginia Wing.

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Valerie Biggerstaff Valerie Biggerstaff

Atlanta welcomes soldiers of WWI Camp Gordon at Christmas

At 4 p.m. December 24, 1917, the bugle sounded and marches, drills, and rifle training paused until December 26 at 7 a.m. Eight thousand men headed to downtown Atlanta on the trolley or in cars. Other soldiers stayed on base where entertainment and a Christmas feast was planned.

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Valerie Biggerstaff Valerie Biggerstaff

Another movie theater, Perimeter Mall opens 1973

I-285 was completed in 1969, Perimeter Mall opened August 11, 1971, and the Perimeter Mall General Cinema triplex opened in December of 1973. The theater held 1,700 people. (Atlanta Constitution, Dec. 23, 1973, “Perimeter Mall Gets 3 Theaters”)

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Valerie Biggerstaff Valerie Biggerstaff

Drive-in theaters of Chamblee, Doraville

The Peachtree Drive-In Theatre was on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Chamblee, across from where Chamblee Plaza would later open. On July 14, 1950, a grand opening was held at the drive-in.

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Valerie Biggerstaff Valerie Biggerstaff

Early fire fighting began with volunteers

The DeKalb County Fire Department began in 1934 as the Druid Hills Fire Department.  This was a subscription service for the Druid Hills neighborhoods.  A 1934 fire engine that was known by the name Old Maude was purchased by J. V. Draughn, the owner of this private fire service.

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Valerie Biggerstaff Valerie Biggerstaff

Wylie H. Chamblee

While looking through newspaper articles about Camp Gordon, Michael Hitt read a 1917 Atlanta Constitution article which included the history of the name Chamblee. The article is confirmation that the town was named for Wylie H. Chamblee, a Black man who was one of the petitioners for the post office.

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