Atlanta in 50 Objects

A pink pig and a renegade cow. A movie prop and a Coke bottle. A Pulitzer Prize–winning book and a Nobel Prize–winning icon.

How do you tell the story of Atlanta in 50 objects? We decided the best experts were Atlantans themselves—residents who cheer the Braves and rue I–285 rush-hour traffic, who understand how Civil War losses and Civil Rights victories together helped forge the city’s unique identity. Atlanta History Center asked the public to submit what objects they think best represent their town. The parameters were broad: an object could also be a person, a place, an institution, or an idea. After receiving hundreds of submissions, History Center staff assembled a collection of fifty pieces that represent the themes identified by the public. In addition to items from our own collections, we have partnered with many local institutions and individuals to gather artifacts from around the city to tell this community–driven story.

Multi-colored pin buttons with various text about Georgia on blue background

Forward Atlanta

In 1925, the Chamber of Commerce launched Forward Atlanta, a campaign to attract business to the city. Over 750 companies moved to Atlanta, infusing $34 million in payroll into the city’s economy.

Atlanta became regional headquarters for numerous corporations and added tens of thousands of jobs before economic depression in 1929.

The Atlanta Spirit, the entrepreneurial and ambitious attitude that shaped the city’s historical identity, emerged again in the 1960s with the “Atlanta: A New Kind of City” promotional campaign, followed by the “World’s Next Great City” campaign. By 1995, over 1,000 companies from thirty-five countries were located in the metro area, as well as forty-two foreign consulates and twenty-seven trade and tourism offices.

The population of the metro area grew from 1 million in 1959 to 2 million in 1980 and doubled to over 4 million in 2000. The Atlanta Combined Statistical Area now includes thirty-nine counties with an estimated population of 6.1 million.

Header Image: Atlanta Chamber of Commerce chair of the highway committee Frank T. Reynolds at one of the highway welcome signs placed by the chamber on roads leading to the city, 1930.