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William Berry Hartsfield collection

 Collection
Collection number: ahc.MSS530

Scope and Content

This collection contains pages from a scrapbook; a copy of a letter addressed to "William;" a thank you card from Mrs. William B. Hartsfield; and two programs pertaining to William B. Hartsfield. Also included are newspaper clippings that cover Hartsfield's elections, activities in office, death, and funeral and memorial services.

Dates

  • 1938-1971

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. All requests to publish, quote, or reproduce must be submitted through the Kenan Research Center.

Administrative/Biographical History

William Berry Hartsfield (1890-1971) was born in Atlanta, Georgia, to Charles Green Hartsfield (1849-1918) and Victoria Dagnall Hartsfield (1854-1936). He married Pearl Williams in 1913 and had two children: William Berry Hartsfield Jr. (1916-1993) and Mildred Hartsfield Cheshire (1919-2012). They divorced in 1962 and he married Tollie Tolan that same year. Hartsfield was first elected to the Atlanta City Council in 1922, where he helped establish Atlanta's first airport and was a frequent proponent of air transportation in Atlanta. Hartfield was elected as Atlanta's 49th mayor in 1937 until he lost re-election to Roy Le Craw in 1940. When Le Craw was drafted by the Georgia National Guard after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, he resigned from his position and Hartsfield was re-elected as mayor in a special election. He served until his retirement in 1961. Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was named in Hartsfield's honor, along with Mayor Maynard Jackson.

Extent

2.08 linear ft. (three oversized folders)

Language

English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift, 1977

Title
William B. Hartsfield collection
Author
Sue VerHoef
Description rules
Finding Aid Prepared According To Dacs
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center Repository

Contact:
130 West Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta GA 30305
404-814-4040