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What was downtown Atlanta like in 1964?

In 1964, downtown Atlanta was experiencing significant urban development, including the construction of the Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, which would later host both baseball and football games.

The Atlanta skyline in the 1960s was characterized by a mix of modernist architecture and historic buildings, reflecting the city’s transition into a major urban hub in the Southeast.

The city was informally known as "The City Too Busy to Hate," a phrase popularized during the civil rights movement, highlighting Atlanta's relatively progressive stance on racial integration compared to other Southern cities.

The Atlanta sit-in movement, which began in 1960, was a critical part of the civil rights movement, with students staging protests at downtown lunch counters to challenge segregation.

1964 marked the year when the Civil Rights Act was passed, a pivotal moment that had roots in activism that was visible throughout downtown Atlanta.

The streetcar system, which had been a primary mode of transportation in the early 20th century, was largely dismantled by the 1960s, leading to increased reliance on automobiles and the expansion of highways.

Atlanta's downtown area in 1964 included the famous Peachtree Street, which served as a central artery for commerce and social activity.

The Heart of Atlanta Motel was a significant landmark in 1964, known for its role in the civil rights movement, particularly as it became the center of the Supreme Court case Heart of Atlanta Motel v.

United States.

The area was also home to numerous businesses, including department stores and theaters, which drew residents and visitors alike, contributing to a vibrant urban atmosphere.

Atlanta's population was around 400,000 in 1964, a number that was steadily increasing due to both migration from rural areas and the growth of the local economy.

The construction of the Downtown Connector freeway began in the late 1940s and was nearing completion by the early 1960s, radically changing the flow of traffic and urban planning in the area.

The city’s population and economic growth were fueled by the emergence of Atlanta as a transportation hub, with the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (then known as Atlanta Municipal Airport) starting to expand into a major airport during this time.

Atlanta's downtown was dotted with public parks and green spaces, which were designed to provide urban dwellers with recreational opportunities, a concept rooted in the urban planning philosophies of the time.

The city had a growing art scene in the 1960s, with galleries and cultural institutions beginning to establish themselves, reflecting a broader trend in urban America.

The 1964 World's Fair was held in New York, but Atlanta was actively competing to host such events, showcasing its aspirations to be a leader in tourism and commerce.

Urban renewal projects were on the rise, aiming to revitalize older neighborhoods and downtown areas, which often led to the displacement of existing communities.

The architecture of the period included the use of concrete and glass, marking a departure from traditional brick buildings and indicative of modernist trends in urban design.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was a key newspaper at the time, providing coverage of local events, political changes, and social movements, playing an important role in shaping public opinion.

The civil rights protests and actions in downtown Atlanta were often met with a combination of support and opposition, reflecting the complexities of social change in the era.

By the end of 1964, the groundwork was being laid for what would become a major transformation of downtown Atlanta into a more integrated, commercial, and cultural center, setting the stage for future development in the decades to come.

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