History

 

 

 

 

Underground Atlanta is well known as a shopping, restaurant and entertainment sector located next to Georgia State University in downtown Atlanta. People of all ethnicities, colors, and creeds have visited Underground as tourists and residents of the metro Atlanta community. In the 1800’s Atlanta began as a railroad town connecting farming and cotton states to eastern markets and ports in 1836 (Wylie, History of Underground Atlanta) which have become the basis for the structural design of the Underground. In the 1920’s, the bridge-like structure raised the street to promote a fluent flow of traffic. This development led business owners to move their operation to the second floor. Henceforth, Steve Fuller and Jack Patterson called it Underground Atlanta based on the revival of these underground storefronts (Sjoquist, D. L.1992).

Throughout the 1930’s, Atlanta grew day by day by improving their transportation system and creating new industries, but Underground Atlanta remained inactive. After 59 years, Underground reopened through a venture between the City of Atlanta and private industry costing over a $120 million (Wylie, History of Underground Atlanta). It was redesigned to spark a fire in the community life surrounding the Atlanta Area. As of today, Underground is filled with retail shops, fast food, special entertainment and gift shops, but its architectural design causes potential shoppers to think it’s not safe.