William B. Hartsfield photographs

Collection

Collection number: ahc.VIS4

Scope and Content

This collection consists of images of William B. Hartsfield, often with others, taken during his later years as Mayor. Also included are pictures of him with family or friends following the end of his political career.

Dates

1950-1971, undated

Creator

Hartsfield, William Berry (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

This material is protected by copyright law. (Title 17, U.S. Code) Permission for use must be cleared through the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center. Licensing agreement may be required.

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.