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City of Atlanta Records

 Collection
Collection number: ahc.CityofAtlanta

Scope and Content

This collection consists of administrative records from the City of Atlanta, which have been divided into sixteen series. Records include materials pertaining to select mayors of Atlanta and correspondence and memos from the Executive Office. The collection also includes City Council and Board of Alderman legislation, minutes, and proceedings. Records also include material regarding transportation, public safety, finance, planning and community development, courts, public works, and maps. Finally, the collection includes videotapes and information regarding select annexed municipalities.

Dates

  • 1848-2013, undated

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Administrative/Biographical History

The City of Atlanta became incorporated in 1847. The charter stated that the citizens of the city of Atlanta would elect a mayor and six person city council. In 1874, the city adopted a new charter, creating a bicameral council. The legislative branch was now comprised of the City Council and Board of Aldermen. The city adopted a new charter in 1974, which changed the structure of the legislative branch. Once the charter was enacted, the Board of Aldermen was incorporated into the City Council, with twelve members elected from districts and at-large posts. The city also includes the executive branch, which is headed by the mayor of Atlanta, and oversees the various city departments. The 1847 charter did not include a judicial branch. Instead, the mayor served as the head of the court. In 1856, the Georgia Legislature established the City Court of Atlanta, which lasted only two years. The city court was permanently established in 1871.

Extent

1509.17 linear ft.

Language

English

Additional Description

System of Arrangement

This collection is divided into sixteen series: I. Executive Office, II. Atlanta City Council and Board of Aldermen, III. Transportation, IV. Public Safety, V. Finance, VI. Planning and Community Development, VII. Public Works, VIII. Courts, IX. Board of Health, X. Board of Education, XI. Annexed Municipalities, XII. Videotapes, XIII. Miscellaneous, XIV. Maps, XV. Policy and Program Records, Mayor Ivan Allen, and XVI. Policy and Program Records, Mayor Sam Massell. Within each series, the collection is organized by shelf location.

Description Control

Collection inventoried in 2010 with subsequent additions.

Subjects

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
City of Atlanta
Author
Heather Thayer Culligan
Description rules
Finding Aid Prepared According To Dacs
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center Repository

http://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/
Contact:
130 West Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta GA 30305
404-814-4040