A stadium built on the ruins of a wealthy neighborhood

Wars & Conflicts · Published 16 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the 1960s, Atlanta’s Washington–Rawson neighborhood was a hub for the elite, including Georgia's governor. By the time the city decided to build a multi-purpose stadium to lure a Major League Baseball team, the area had fallen on hard times, leading to its demolition to make way for a sports landmark.

Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. spearheaded the project in the early 1960s, specifically promising a sports facility to attract a baseball team. He selected a 47-acre plot in the Washington–Rawson neighborhood because of its strategic proximity to downtown businesses, the state capitol, and major highways. While the area had once been a wealthy residential district, it had significantly declined by the time construction began in 1964.

The stadium's history is marked by complex negotiations and legal hurdles. Initially, Allen and sports editor Furman Bisher tried to lure the Kansas City Athletics, but the deal collapsed in 1963 when the American League blocked the move. It wasn't until 1964 that the Milwaukee Braves were revealed as the intended tenants. Despite their intent to move, court battles delayed their arrival until 1966, when they finally began play at the new venue.

The stadium served as a multi-purpose hub for decades, hosting the Atlanta Braves, the expansion Atlanta Falcons, and even the Atlanta Chiefs soccer team. It saw diverse events ranging from the Beatles performing in 1965 to a Vietnam War prayer rally featuring Dean Rusk in 1966. It eventually hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics baseball events and the 1991 World Series, before being demolished in 1997 to make room for a parking lot and the eventual site of a new university stadium.

The site remains a point of historical preservation. Despite the demolition of the initial arena on 2 August 1997, a memorial commemorating where Hank Aaron's famous 715th home run landed stays at that specific spot. Furthermore, the stadium's outfield fence was saved and installed at the Georgia State Baseball Complex before being planned for restoration in the new 2026 stadium.

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