Exploring Black History at Atlanta’s Airport: A Guide to Hartsfield-Jackson’s Legacy

Atlanta’s airport is more than just a busy travel hub. Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) sits in a city that calls itself the “Cradle of the Civil Rights Movement,” and pieces of that history show up right inside the terminals.

If you’re flying in or out of Atlanta and you’re interested in Black history, civil rights, and local culture, you can actually turn your time at ATL into a meaningful mini–history tour.

Why Black History Matters at Atlanta’s Airport

Hartsfield‑Jackson is named after two mayors, including Maynard H. Jackson Jr., the first Black mayor of Atlanta and a major figure in both the city’s political history and the airport’s expansion.

The airport reflects Atlanta’s story in a few key ways:

• It’s named in part for a trailblazing Black leader.
• It hosts public art, exhibits, and photo displays that highlight civil rights and Black culture.
• It connects travelers directly to nearby historic Black neighborhoods and institutions, from Sweet Auburn to the AUC (Atlanta University Center).

Whether you’re a resident, a frequent business traveler, or a first‑time visitor, understanding ATL’s Black history context can deepen your sense of place the moment you land.

The “Jackson” in Hartsfield‑Jackson: Who Was Maynard Jackson?

The full name, Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport, honors Maynard H. Jackson Jr., who:

• Became Atlanta’s first Black mayor in 1973.
• Played a central role in the development and expansion of the airport.
• Pushed for minority business participation in airport contracts, reshaping local economic opportunities for Black-owned firms.

How Maynard Jackson Shaped the Airport

Under Jackson’s leadership, Atlanta’s airport:

• Expanded into a global hub, reinforcing Atlanta’s role in international business and culture.
• Became a symbol of how Black political leadership could change a city’s infrastructure and economy.
• Adopted policies that encouraged Black contractors, architects, and vendors to have a stake in the airport’s growth.

When you see “Jackson” on airport signage, you’re looking at a reminder of Black political power and economic inclusion in Atlanta—not just a name on a building.

Where to Find Black History Inside ATL

You won’t find a single “Black history museum” inside the airport, but there are exhibits, art installations, and displays that highlight Black Atlantans and civil rights themes.

Below is a practical overview you can use while you’re in the terminals.

Key Spots to Look For

1. Art and Cultural Exhibits (Airport-Wide)
ATL regularly hosts rotating and permanent art displays that often feature:

• African American artists with ties to Atlanta and the South.
• Themes related to civil rights, community, and cultural identity.
• Photography, murals, sculpture, and mixed‑media pieces installed in concourses and walkways.

Look around:

• Atrium and main terminal areas: Often used for larger installations.
• Concourse corridors and train tunnels: ATL sometimes uses these spaces for photography and historical-themed displays.

Because exhibits rotate, check airport information desks in the Domestic or International Terminal and ask about:

Staff can usually point you toward current displays and their locations.

Sample Self-Guided “Black History at ATL” Walk

Use this as a flexible outline during a layover or before departure:

1. Domestic Terminal – Atrium Area

   • Scan for public art pieces, historical displays, or timeline panels that highlight Atlanta’s growth and civil rights legacy.
   • Keep an eye out for works by Black Atlanta artists; labels typically list the artist’s name and background.

2. Concourses (A–E) and Tunnels

   • While moving between concourses, take time to notice wall displays and photo series.
   • ATL has previously featured work focused on Atlanta neighborhoods, civil rights marches, and historic Black communities.

3. International Terminal (Concourse F)

   • Check for exhibits that speak to Atlanta’s role as a global city with deep African American roots.
   • Look for themes like diaspora, migration, and cultural exchange.

📝 Tip: If you have a long layover, deliberately choose to walk through at least one concourse instead of taking the Plane Train the whole way—you’ll pass more artwork and displays.

From Runway to City Streets: Connecting ATL to Major Black History Sites

The airport itself is only part of the story. Within 15–25 minutes of ATL (depending on traffic), you can reach some of the most important Black history and civil rights landmarks in the United States.

Here’s a quick guide to help you connect your time at the airport with the rest of Atlanta.

Major Black History Destinations Near Atlanta Airport

*Times are approximate and depend on traffic.

How to Get from Atlanta Airport to Black History Sites

Using MARTA (Public Transit)

MARTA Station at ATL:

• Located at the Domestic Terminal, at the end of the main passenger hallway.
• Follow signs for “Ground Transportation / MARTA”.

From the airport, you can:

• Take the Red or Gold Line north into the city.
• Transfer at Five Points Station to reach other areas by bus or train.

Example connections:

• To the King Historic District / Sweet Auburn:
  • Take the train to King Memorial Station, then walk or use a short rideshare to Auburn Avenue.
• To downtown (for the National Center for Civil and Human Rights):
  • Ride to Peachtree Center Station, then walk a few blocks.

📝 Tip: If you’re visiting for a day or long layover, consider mapping your MARTA route ahead of time so you can move quickly once you land.

Using Rideshare or Taxi

If you want to see more than one location in a short time, rideshare or a taxi from the airport can be more efficient:

• From ATL to Auburn Avenue / King Historic District: Roughly 12–15 miles.
• From ATL to the AUC (Morehouse/Spelman area): Also roughly 10–12 miles.

You can ask drivers to drop you at:

• 450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA – near MLK Jr. National Historical Park.
• 830 Westview Dr SW, Atlanta, GA – near Clark Atlanta University/AUC area.

Why ATL Is Symbolic in Black Travel and Business

For many Black travelers, especially those with ties to the South, Atlanta’s airport is a gateway to family, business, and cultural touchpoints across the region.

Some key roles ATL plays:

• Economic engine for Black-owned businesses:
  Many concessionaires, contractors, and service providers at or connected to ATL include Black-owned firms, building on the contracting foundations shaped under Maynard Jackson.

• Gateway to HBCUs and Black neighborhoods:
  From ATL, students and families frequently travel to and from Morehouse, Spelman, Clark Atlanta, Morris Brown, and other historically Black colleges throughout the region.

• Meeting point for cultural events:
  Many visitors flying in for festivals, civil rights commemorations, and Black cultural conferences begin their experience at ATL.

When you understand that background, the airport becomes more than a layover—it’s an entry point into a city that has deeply influenced Black political power, business, and culture nationwide.

Practical Tips for Exploring Black History via Atlanta Airport

1. Build in extra time if you can
If you live in Atlanta, consider arriving earlier for your flight and using the time to:

• Walk an extra concourse and look for art by Black artists.
• Pause at any historical displays or photo series that highlight local communities.

If you’re visiting, plan a few hours after landing or before departing to explore nearby sites in the city.

2. Use airport info desks as a resource
Ask airport staff:

• “Are there any current exhibits about Atlanta history or civil rights in the airport right now?”
• “Where can I find information about Maynard Jackson or the history of Hartsfield‑Jackson?”

They may direct you to specific concourses, hallways, or gallery-style displays that aren’t obvious from the main corridors.

3. Plan a one-day “airport plus city” itinerary

If you have a long layover or free afternoon:

1. Arrive at ATL / Clear security.
2. Walk one or two concourses, paying attention to art and history exhibits.
3. Exit to MARTA or rideshare.
4. Visit:
   • Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park (Auburn Avenue) and/or
   • The National Center for Civil and Human Rights downtown.
5. Return to ATL via MARTA or rideshare and proceed to your gate.

4. For locals: use ATL as a teachable moment

If you’re an Atlanta resident traveling with kids, relatives, or visitors:

• Point out the “Jackson” in the airport’s name and explain who Maynard Jackson was.
• Use visible art and displays as a conversation starter about Atlanta’s Black history, civil rights, and the role of Black leadership in shaping infrastructure.

Quick Reference: Black History Touchpoints Linked to ATL

• Airport Name:

  • Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport
  • Honors Maynard H. Jackson Jr., Atlanta’s first Black mayor and a key figure in airport growth and minority business inclusion.

• Inside the Airport:

  • Public art and rotating exhibits across terminals and concourses.
  • Occasional photo and history displays highlighting Atlanta’s communities, including Black neighborhoods and civil rights themes.

• Nearby City Landmarks (Short Trip from ATL):

  • Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park – birth home, church, memorial.
  • Sweet Auburn Historic District – historic Black business and civic corridor.
  • Atlanta University Center – major HBCU consortium.
  • National Center for Civil and Human Rights – museum linking local and global struggles.

Exploring Atlanta airport Black history means recognizing how this massive travel hub is tied to Black political leadership, economic opportunity, and civil rights heritage—and using it as your launch point into the deeper Black history story that unfolds across the city.