New history post every Monday
I recently visited the DeKalb History Center archives room to look through the Doraville collection. This collection of photographs, newsletters, scrapbooks and more were previously located at the Doraville Library. Many photographs from the collection are included in Robert Kelly’s book “Images of America-Doraville.”
Today I’m focusing on photos and documents related to the General Motors assembly plant in Doraville. On opening day, June 15, 1948, assembly line workers had a big surprise when a 1909 Buick came down the line. Jesse Lee Smith of Lawrenceville drove the vintage car that had been bought by his father and was still running just fine. Smith was a new employee of the plant, working in the chassis department. (The Eagle, Tucker Federal newsletter, March-April 1984)
Jesse Lee Smith of Lawrenceville drove a 1909 Buick in the assembly plant on June 15, 1948. This photograph is from a Tucker Federal Eagle newsletter and is included in the Doraville archives of DeKalb History Center.
500 industrial, business, and civic leaders were at the plant that day to honor General Motors Corporation officials. This was the formal opening of the plant. The assembly line began operations on December 7, 1947 and the first car built was a 1948 Oldsmobile. The plant was initially called the Buick Oldsmobile Pontiac Assembly Plant.
Scott Candler, Commissioner of Roads and Revenues for DeKalb County spoke at the formal opening. He said he was “…especially glad to see this great plant in DeKalb County. We believe that the coming of General Motors means a new era to us.” The president of General Motors Corporation, Charles E. Wilson, was the principal speaker on the occasion.
Prior to the formal opening, the Doraville Women’s Club, Civic Club and local merchants all worked together to clean up Doraville and prepare for the dignitaries arriving for the plant’s dedication. Local merchants hung banners, and cleared sidewalks and streets. I love this photograph of the Doraville Food Store with its Coca-Cola and Bailey’s Supreme Coffee (maybe Standard Oil also) advertising on the brick building.
This photograph shows Doraville locals cleaning the streets and sidewalks to put their best foot forward for the 1948 GM Assembly plant opening. Photo from the Doraville collection at DeKalb History Center.
The following businesses of the 1940s and 1950s were part of the excitement: Galloway Hardware Store, Johnson’s Furniture Store, Doraville Food Store, Poteat and Hughes Drug Store, Smith’s Clothing Company, Otis Gunn’s Barber Shop, Goree Ice Company, W. T. Pelfrey, Bud Maloney’s Service Station,and Two Bells Diner. Other establishments remembered were Andy Anderson’s Restaurant, Mrs. Dabney’s Flower shop, the bowling alley, Wingo and Clark’s garage, and Dr. Flower’s office, which was located behind the post office.
The construction and opening of the GM Assembly plant had a profound affect on the area. New subdivisions were built and Peachtree Industrial Boulevard was constructed in 1949. Doraville, along with Chamblee, Brookhaven, and Dunwoody were all impacted by the GM plant.
The GM Assembly Plant of Doraville stopped all operations in 2008 and was demolished in 2015.
Read more about the early days of the General Motors Assembly Plant and recent development on the property here.