Shannon Wiggins, Public Relations and Communications Director for the city of Chamblee, contacted me to give a brief talk on the history of Chamblee dairies.

Early schoolteachers in Georgia often received their training at what was known as Normal School.  Normal Schools were established in Georgia towards the end of the 19th century to prepare teachers to teach elementary aged students.  It was usually a two-year program and the term normal referred to establishing clear standards or “norms” for public schools.

The March 1, 1929 Atlanta Constitution reported that an explosion at Stone Mountain near the Confederate carving killed seven men and injured six. These numbers may have increased as the days passed. The men were all working for Stone Mountain Granite Corporation.

Roosevelt Boulevard and the new bridge were dedicated on July 18, 1925. The Atlanta Constitution reported, “6,000 Georgians attend dedication of Roswell bridge and formal opening of Roosevelt Boulevard to public.” The bridge was christened with river water by Margaret Carpenter, daughter of the Cobb County Road commissioner. A wreath was placed on the bridge in memory of J. D. Wing, by his daughter Virginia Wing.

I-285 was completed in 1969, Perimeter Mall opened August 11, 1971, and the Perimeter Mall General Cinema triplex opened in December of 1973. The theater held 1,700 people. (Atlanta Constitution, Dec. 23, 1973, “Perimeter Mall Gets 3 Theaters”)

The Peachtree Drive-In Theatre was on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Chamblee, across from where Chamblee Plaza would later open. On July 14, 1950, a grand opening was held at the drive-in.