THE 1961 JET AGE TERMINAL
A view of the new terminal shortly before it opened in 1961, seen from the center concourse of the 1948 terminal. This gives a good idea of just how close the two buildings were. At this point, aircraft were still parking in front of the new building and the entrance ramp leads right out to the apron in this postcard view.
This view below, facing west, was taken during the few short weeks when Atlanta's first four passenger terminals were all standing.
A. The Eastern Air Terminal, partially obscured behind the Southern hangar, opened in 1930.
B. The municipal terminal used 1932-1948.
C. Temporary terminal used 1948-1961.
D. The "Jet Age" terminal in use 1961-1980.
E. 1940s-era Delta hangars. These are now part of the Delta Flight Museum.
F. The Air Host Inn
G. Entrance and exit ramps to and from Virginia Avenue.
A. The Eastern Air Terminal, partially obscured behind the Southern hangar, opened in 1930.
B. The municipal terminal used 1932-1948.
C. Temporary terminal used 1948-1961.
D. The "Jet Age" terminal in use 1961-1980.
E. 1940s-era Delta hangars. These are now part of the Delta Flight Museum.
F. The Air Host Inn
G. Entrance and exit ramps to and from Virginia Avenue.
In this postcard view of the Atlanta Hilton Inn, the 1948 terminal has been cleared and construction of concourse A (to the right of the main terminal) is underway. The parking lot occupies much of what was aircraft parking at the previous terminal and the ultramodern Gulf gas station can be seen under construction to the right of the entrance road. At right, the road that connected the airport with I-85 is under construction as is the interchange with Virginia Avenue. Another view of the Hilton can be seen HERE.
An aerial postcard view of Atlanta airport circa 1963-64. This faces north and interstate I-85 is under construction in the background. The concourses from left to right are: A - Eastern; B - Eastern; C - Piedmont, Eastern, Southern; D - TWA, Northwest, United; E - Delta; F - Delta.
At left is Eastern's new hangar which was built on the site of the old 1948 temporary terminal. Interestingly, the 1932 terminal and control tower were still standing and can be seen just beyond the end of concourse F.
At left is Eastern's new hangar which was built on the site of the old 1948 temporary terminal. Interestingly, the 1932 terminal and control tower were still standing and can be seen just beyond the end of concourse F.
THE MAIN LOBBY
The following 3 photographs were all taken in nearly the same spot and give you a good idea of what the ticket lobby at the 1961 terminal looked like. The lobby was nearly 500 feet long with high barrel vaulted ceilings, golden terrazzo floors, and depending on the time of day, lots of natural light.
View from the middle of the ticketing lobby looking north toward the parking lots. The lobby had two long ticket counters with an area in between them that led to the aircraft gates. On the east side of the terminal, left to right, were the airline counters of Southern, United and Delta. On the other side were the counters of Eastern, Northwest and TWA. The parking lot seen here is now the location of the Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel.
View from the middle of the ticketing lobby looking north toward the parking lots. The lobby had two long ticket counters with an area in between them that led to the aircraft gates. On the east side of the terminal, left to right, were the airline counters of Southern, United and Delta. On the other side were the counters of Eastern, Northwest and TWA. The parking lot seen here is now the location of the Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel.
From the above view, if you were to look over your left shoulder this is what you would see. This photo from the late '70s was sent in by David Carter who has a nice collection of his dad's ATL photos in this youtube video.
Turning left again, this was the view. This 1964 photo shows striking Eastern flight engineers picketing in front of the ticket counters. The turquoise administration building can be seen through the window at upper right.