Atlanta's halls of history and controversy

Atlanta architecture is best known for the Margaret Mitchell House, Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, skyscrapers, and mega mansions that dot the metro landscape.

Tourists perhaps forget to take a tour inside the city's elegant government building downtown, just around the corner from the State Capitol's Gold Dome.

History is alive and well inside Atlanta's City Hall. Located at 55 Trinity Avenue, visitors can marvel at the green marble expanse of the Hall with its brass doors, coffered ceilings, and chandeliers.

And despite debates over pensions, the city is still hiring. Orientation takes place in the old council chambers where beautiful tapestries hang.

There are also beautiful oil portraits of southern ladies and gentlemen who have led Atlanta since 1848. Atlanta's first mayors, who served one year terms, were members of the Free and Rowdy Party, a band of distillery, bar, and brothel owners. They were followed by leaders of the Moral Party, which called for temperance and chastity, followed by Democrats and Radical Republicans.

John H. James (D) was a banker who won almost 100% of the vote in 1871. Atlanta has had only two out of 60 Republican mayors.

Andrew Young (D) was the first African-American mayor (1982-1990). Before becoming mayor, Young worked with Martin Luther King, Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement. He was later fired from his post as Ambassador to the United Nations by President Jimmy Carter for speaking to members of the Palestine Liberation Organization. Young then ran for mayor and served two terms.

Shirley Franklin (D) was the first female mayor (2002-2010). She served two terms but was plagued with controversy surrounding her son-in-law, Tremayne Graham, a member of Atlanta's Black Mafia. Graham was given a life prison sentence "for his leadership role in a massive cocaine ring...and revenge slaying he allegedly arranged in Atlanta," according to Creative Loafing.

City Hall also houses the City Council Chambers. In the hallway are pictures of the council. On a side wall is a bulletin board where announcements of upcoming meetings are posted. All of the meetings are televised.

©2011 Tomi Johnson. All rights reserved.