William B. Hartsfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William B. Hartsfield
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Hartsfield in 1961
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| 49th & 51st Mayor of Atlanta | |
| In office 1942–1962 |
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| Preceded by | George B. Lyle Acting |
| Succeeded by | Ivan Allen Jr. |
| In office 1937–1941 |
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| Preceded by | James L. Key |
| Succeeded by | Roy LeCraw |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
William Berry Hartsfield
March 1, 1890 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | February 22, 1971 (aged 80) Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses | (1) Pearl Williams Hartsfield (married 1913-1962, divorced) (2) Tollie Bedenbaugh Tolan Hartsfield |
| Children | William B. Hartsfield Jr. Mildred Hartsfield |
William Berry Hartsfield Sr. (March 1, 1890 – February 22, 1971) was an American politician. He served as the Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia, for a long time. He was mayor from 1937 to 1941 and again from 1942 to 1962. This made him the longest-serving mayor in Atlanta's history.
Contents
Early Life and Political Start
William Hartsfield started his career working as a clerk in a law firm in 1916. He also studied law during this time.
He began his political journey in 1922. He won a seat as a city alderman, which is like a city council member. Later, in the 1930s, he served two terms in the Georgia House of Representatives. This experience helped him prepare for his future role as mayor.
Becoming Mayor of Atlanta
William B. Hartsfield was first elected Mayor of Atlanta in January 1937. When he took office, the city was in financial trouble. It owed $3 million because of the Great Depression, a time when many people lost their jobs and money.
Hartsfield worked quickly to improve the city's finances. However, he lost his re-election bid in 1940. The person who defeated him, Roy LeCraw, only served one year. LeCraw was then called to serve in the United States Army. Hartsfield won the election again in 1941 and stayed in office until 1961.
A Mayor Who Loved Technology
A writer named Harold Martin said that Hartsfield was "a man fanatically addicted to the media." This means he loved to keep up with news and technology. By the mid-1950s, he owned many electronic devices. He had eight radios, three television sets, and different types of record and tape players.
Hartsfield explained why he had so many gadgets. He said, "This way, I can keep up all the time with what's going on in Atlanta and all the world." He even called himself an "electronic mayor."
Growing Atlanta's Airport and Water Supply
The New York Times newspaper praised Hartsfield for helping Atlanta become a major center for air travel. He worked hard to develop the city's airport.
He was also recognized for his efforts in promoting the Buford Dam in 1957. This dam helped create Lake Lanier, which became an important source of water for the Atlanta area.
In 1961, Oglethorpe University gave Hartsfield an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. This was a special award to recognize his achievements.
Working Towards Fairness
The New York Times described Hartsfield as a "racial moderate." This means he tried to find a middle ground during times of racial tension. He often used the slogan "Atlanta is a city too busy to hate." He repeated this phrase during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s, when people were fighting for equal rights.
In 1957, Hartsfield won his last term as mayor. He defeated Lester Maddox, who was a strong supporter of segregation. Segregation was a system that kept Black and White people separate.
Before Christmas in 1955, Hartsfield made an important decision. He ordered that Atlanta's city golf courses be opened to Black golfers. This was a step towards ending segregation in the city.
During the 1940s, Hartsfield worked to add more areas to Atlanta. He wanted to include many mostly White suburbs. This was done to balance the city's population as more Black people moved into Atlanta. In 1952, new laws helped to add these communities. This tripled Atlanta's size and added 100,000 new residents.
Hartsfield's Lasting Impact
William Hartsfield left a big mark on Atlanta. Two important things are named after him:
- Willie B. A famous gorilla at Zoo Atlanta was named after Hartsfield. Willie B. was a very popular animal at the zoo for many years.
- Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport The city's huge airport is named in his honor. It also honors Maynard Jackson, another mayor who helped modernize the airport in the 1970s. This airport is one of the busiest in the world.
