1864 view of Whitehall Street (now Peachtree) looking south from Alabama Street.
This picture from the archives pretty much says it all… Happy Mother’s Day!
Olivia de Havilland, Vivien Leigh, and Lawrence Olivier at a press party at Atlanta’s Georgian Terrace Hotel during the premiere of Gone With the Wind in 1939.
Here’s a rare photo of Jacobs’ Pharmacy, where the first Coca-Cola fountain drink was sold on May 8, 1886. According to The Coca-Cola Company website, Dr. John Pemberton, an Atlanta pharmacist, “carried a jug of the new product down the street to Jacobs’ Pharmacy, where it was sampled, pronounced “excellent” and placed on sale for five cents a glass.” Jacobs’ Pharmacy was located on the southwest corner of Peachtree and Marietta Streets in Atlanta.
The Atlanta History Center’s Kenan Research Center houses the Joseph and Sinclair Jacobs Papers. The majority of this collection documents the professional activities of Dr. Joseph Jacobs, and his son Sinclair Jacobs as proprietors of Jacobs’ Pharmacy in Atlanta. Among the official records of Jacobs’ Pharmacy are samples of labels for products, a notebook and loose papers containing formulae for medicines and cosmetics, product catalogs, copies of Jacob’s Monthly Magazine, and official correspondence. The collection also contains personal items of Joseph and Sinclair Jacobs, including professional journals such as Drug Topics, and the American Journal of Pharmacy. Also included are newspaper clippings, and speeches and writings authored by Joseph Jacobs on the subjects of Crawford Long, The Coca-Cola Company, and medical drugs used during the Civil War.
Here’s a rare photo of Jacobs’ Pharmacy, where the first Coca-Cola fountain drink was sold on May 8, 1886. According to The Coca-Cola Company website, Dr. John Pemberton, an Atlanta pharmacist, “carried a jug of the new product down the street to Jacobs’ Pharmacy, where it was sampled, pronounced “excellent” and placed on sale for five cents a glass.” Jacobs’ Pharmacy was located on the southwest corner of Peachtree and Marietta Streets in Atlanta.
The Atlanta History Center’s Kenan Research Center houses the Joseph and Sinclair Jacobs Papers. The majority of this collection documents the professional activities of Dr. Joseph Jacobs, and his son Sinclair Jacobs as proprietors of Jacobs’ Pharmacy in Atlanta. Among the official records of Jacobs’ Pharmacy are samples of labels for products, a notebook and loose papers containing formulae for medicines and cosmetics, product catalogs, copies of Jacob’s Monthly Magazine, and official correspondence. The collection also contains personal items of Joseph and Sinclair Jacobs, including professional journals such as Drug Topics, and the American Journal of Pharmacy. Also included are newspaper clippings, and speeches and writings authored by Joseph Jacobs on the subjects of Crawford Long, The Coca-Cola Company, and medical drugs used during the Civil War.
From the Archives: Civil War Letter
Camp Near Lees Mills Va
April 24th 1863
Mr L. B. Underwood
Dear Father,
I seat my self to write you a few lines to let you know how I am geting along. I am a little sick now but I can get about. I think I will be well in a few days. Well the yankees are still laying around. A little fight occured on the 16th. It was in about four hundred yards of us. The Regs that engaged them was .11. ga. 15. N.C. 7. + 8. ga and the 16 ga and the Second La. The Col was killed. Our loss was about 20 killed and about 50 wounded. The fight was at a pond. The creek was damed up and as they charged through the pond they were shot in the water. I do not know there loss exacley. I heard that we got out 90 ded. They struck a bad streak when they tride to come through the pond. We have been looking for a general attack for some time. I have got to believe that they are affraid to attack us. We have a good force hear. Gen Jonson and his army is hear. I saw some of the boys in the 7 + 8 ga Regs. I saw Dave Smith, John Maguise, Dave Chanler and several others. I must come to a close. Write soon. Direct you letters to williamsburg va. Give my love to my brothers + sisters I remain as ever your son
A. C. Underwood
From the Archives: Civil War Letter
Camp near Shelbyville Tenn
April 22nd/ 63
My Dear Julia
Yours of the 15th came to hand a few days since, just one week from the day you started. I was beginning to get vry uneasy for fear some accident had happened you, but I was greatly rejoiced to hear that you had arrived safe + sound at home. If any thing of that sort has to happen I would much prefer being with you, but I have faith in God that he will take care of you + the little ones by your own aid and assistance and your kind Parents. I know thy will do ever thing thy can to assist you.
We had rain last night and to day the sun is shining beautiful and the birds are signing as joyful + happy as usual reminding me so much of home and it is pleasures the sweet society of my Dear companion, Oh, that this unholy War would cease and we all could once more be happy and free as in former days but alas when will that day come when shall we all be with loved ones again? Echoes answer when. Oh, dear Julia I miss you so much I feel lost being deprived of the society of my Dear Wife and little ones and perhaps never see them again. Oh, my God how can I bear to leave them for ever but thy will not mine be done. I feel so sad when I think of these things and when I see you I feel so rejoiced that I cant think of the great danger I am exposed to. I feel like I did of former days as though you would always be with me. My heart was so sad the day you left. It occurred to me that my best and Dearest friend on this earth had just bid me adieu + perhaps for ever.
I perhaps do wrong in writing in this way but it is a subject I love to dwell upon and I feel freer in talking + writing to my Wife than any body else. I did regret so much that I could not be with you more when you was here but you know how I was situated. I was compelled to report every morning. Julia there’s yet a prospect of a fight here but I have no idea how soon the Enemy are re-inforcing. About fifteen thousand have arrived from Mess to help us, it will be a heavy Battle when it does come worse than the Murfreesboro fight as there will be so many more engaged and God only knows who will fall on that day - Many a poor soldier will bite the dust. Many a sad and broken heart at home after the result is know. But we all have hope that I will be spared hope blessed hope stimulates us to action if I am only wounded I hope some of my friends will manage to have me sent home, but alas if I am slain it may be possible I would be left on the field unless we could pass the enemy beyond our lines far enough to get our dead.
But I must not write about such things. Perhaps it will distress you. I do wish I could see the children especially Hettie as she has improved so much, but she would not know me if I remain much longer in service she will not know she has a Father. I believe I have written all I can think of at the present. Let me hear from you soon. All the friends join me in Love to you and all. Hopeing to hear from you soon. I will close my best respects to Pa + Ma + kiss all the Children for me.
Your affectionate + devoted Husband
JMD
1905 view of the Century Building (later the Atlanta National Bank Building) on Alabama Street.
1940s view of the Hurt Building and the Derby Show (originally the Atlanta Theatre).
Mourners gathered in Atlanta for the funeral of Martin Luther King, Jr. on April 9, 1968.
From the Archives: Civil War Letter
March 27th 1863
My Dear Wife
As Cousin Lawson + Lady starts to Atlanta in the morning, I thought it best to write you a few lines. I only heard this evening that thy was going and I could not get to town this evening to see them. I would have been so glad to have seen them before thy started. Thy are going to spend a week or so in Atlanta and I want you to try + get them out to see you. I wrote you in my last letter giving you an invitation to come up + see me. I would have been so glad that thy should have been at home when you come. You can see them + find out how long thy will stay + if it is not too long you can return with them. As you then would have good company all the way. It is impossable for me to tell how long our Army will remain here. Some think we will soon have an egagement + others think it will be a long time and perhaps not at all at this point. We might move, but even if you do come + we move you could only return home. I have a vry sore arm that has been so painful that I could not drill and I am also suffering from a very severe cold. The worst I have ever had since I have been in camps.
Julia I must tell you of a good sermon I heard last Sunday from Dr McFerren that was former Editor of the Nashville Christian Advocate. His Text was in Isaiah. It was the ablest sermon I have heard in many a day. I felt that my spiritual strength was renewd, I left their I believe a better man. We had a good Sermon in our Regt to day from Rev. Mr Cherny of the 3d Geo Battalio. We was revived yesterday by Genl Polk quite a venerable looking man and I understand Polks Corp is to be revived again to morrow by Gnl Johnson, we have a great deal to duty drilling +c + also have a Brigade Teacher.
Tomorrow is our regular school day so I must stop + look over my lesson. Julia I want you to get your Pa to see the Editor of the Soldiers friend and say to him that I subscribed for six coppies + I find that he has got my papers confused. He sometimes send 5 coppies to Liut D. + som [sic] + 4 or 5 coppies to Company C. Tell him to put up 6 coppies to Liut Davidson Co C 39 Nc Regt, + put it down on his Book that way + he will have it correct his Agent was taken down so many names he has got the mixed.
I am writing by candle light and as usual my tent is full so I cant think what to write. Get your Pa to get me a nice Cap for Liut in Infantry as I need it on reviews +c. you can bring it with you or if you should not get off send it by Cousin Lawson my size is no 7. Get it with oil cloth cover it will cost 10 or $15. It is foolishness but a great many officers ware them would it not be best for me to send my nice coat home + ware the one you have or trade I better ware this one now + keep the other till Fall or Winter. perhaps that would be the better plan as that heavy Jeans will be so heavy in Summer. perhaps it would be well enough to keep it till I need it, as I have a short coat to ware evry day. bring me some more stamps. hopeing to hear from you soon I will close let me hear from you soon give my love to all Kiss the Children asking Gods protection to you all I must close.
Good night Dear Julia
Your Affectionate Husband
J M D
From the Archives: Civil War Letter
Atlanta Geo March 26th/ 63
My Dear Husband,
Your favor of the 21st came to hand yesterday. I was truly glad to hear from you again - You requested me to write immediately and let you know whether I could come to see you. If I were certain that you would remain where you are any length of time I would prefer waiting until it turned warmer + then I would take Hettie with me. I can not take her now as she is not fixed as I would like + I fear she would take cold. You know a child of her size needs a good deal of attention. I would be so glad for you to see her and the boys too. But rather than not see you, I will come without any of them. I think I will be able to start the first of next week which will be the first or second of April. If you know of any reason why I should not come, any change in your military plans which would interfere with my visit, telegraph me immediately on the receipt of this. I have one pair of your summer pants though they are light ones. Your new pants are not very heavy not being lined. I have some heavy linen to make you pants of but have not made them up yet + will not have time to do so if I come right away. Indeed Johny I think light jean pants are better on account of washing. It is so hard to get washing done – if there is any thing else you want you ought to have told me. How are you off for bed clothes? You did not say a word about your cape or vest. Which ever you want I will bring you come shirts + if you need them you can keep them. You must excuse this badly written note for I have not time to write a letter as I must send this by the boy who goes with the milk. Pa has got over his bad spell but is complaining some today, being out in the wind yesterday. I must close hoping to see you very soon I remain your true + devoted wife
Julia
If there is anything you are obliged to have + can send me word, do so. Be sure + telegraph if you do not think it advisable for me to come. I am much obliged to you for your invitation to come up. I expect to always wait for an invitation except in a case of emergency. If I do not go up I will reply to your highly interesting + welcome letter some other time. I assure you we all appreciate all your letters I will try + start by the 2nd at the farthest
Construction of the North Avenue MARTA Station in 1978.
From the Archives: Civil War Letter
On Picket on Turnpike 6 Miles from Unionville
March 14th 1863
My Dear Julia,
We was ordered out here last Wednesday night. Arrived here at 10 oclock without any thing to eat and no tents. We commenced making our beds like hogs in which condition we have been ever since. We had some rations sent us next day about 12 oclock. We are doing very well as the weather has been prety pleasant. We are now ordered not to leave camp + have evrything in readiness to move at a moments notice. Last night Whartons Cavelry intercepted some dispatches notifying a Genl to meet + consintrate their forces at Unionville and attack us this morning but the dispatches being intercepted may greatly change the program. Cousin Bob told me to day that he expected that we would have a little fight in a few days. We are marching against a force of about 11 or 12000. The main Yankee army is on the Murfreesboro pike. Genl McCowns + Cheathams Divisions is on this road. Dont be any ways alarmed. We may be ordered back to our camp by tomorrow + we may be ordered forward. There is no telling any thing about the movement of an Army. I left my money with Capt S. G. R. Mount about or near $600.00. A portion of it belongs to my company which I drew for men on the Sept + Oct pay rolls. I merely state this to let you know who to call on if I should fall in Battle before I return to camp. My trunk is also in his care. One pair pants in Liut Moss trunk which trunk I expect is in Atlanta, as we was ordered a few days since to send all our surplus bagage to the rear. I saw some of my relations the other day as we passed through town. Cousin Bettie saw me comeing + run + met me + give me a sweet kiss. She is about your size and I thought of you as soon as she come running to meet me, and thought how much happier I would feel if it was you, but alas I fear it will be a long time before we get to see each other again as Brother Allen writes me there is not much prospect for peace and the probability was we would have to struggle on for some time yet it never do to yield.
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