Maynard Jackson’s Time as Mayor of Atlanta: When He Served and Why It Matters

If you live in Atlanta or you’re learning about the city’s history, the name Maynard Jackson comes up a lot. He’s often mentioned in conversations about Hartsfield–Jackson airport, civil rights, and Black political leadership. So when someone asks, “When did Jackson serve as mayor of Atlanta?”, they’re almost always talking about Maynard Holbrook Jackson Jr.

Here’s a clear breakdown of when he served, what happened during those years, and why it still shapes everyday life in Atlanta today.

Quick Answer: When Did Jackson Serve as Mayor of Atlanta?

Maynard Jackson served three terms as mayor of Atlanta, over two distinct periods:

So, in short:

• First and second consecutive terms:1974–1982
• Third, separate term:1990–1994

In total, Jackson served 12 years as mayor of Atlanta.

Why Maynard Jackson’s Mayoral Terms Matter in Atlanta

For someone living in or visiting Atlanta, Maynard Jackson’s time as mayor is not just a history fact. His decisions still affect:

• How you travel through the airport
• Who got opportunities on major city projects
• How Atlanta grew as a majority-Black city with national influence

First Term: 1974–1978

Jackson took office in January 1974. He was the first Black mayor of Atlanta, a major milestone in the South.

During this period, he became known for:

• Pushing for minority business participation in city contracts, especially construction and services
• Reworking city procurement so more Black-owned and locally owned firms could compete
• Laying groundwork for airport expansion, which would change Atlanta’s economy and global reach

For Atlantans today, those efforts are often cited as the reason so many Black professionals, entrepreneurs, and contractors have been able to build careers in the region.

Second Term: 1978–1982

Jackson immediately won re-election, staying in office through 1982.

Key developments that still matter to residents and travelers:

• Expansion planning for the city’s airport accelerated
• The airport project increasingly involved local and minority-owned firms
• Atlanta’s reputation grew as a “city too busy to hate” that tried to combine business growth with civil rights progress

By the end of his second term, Jackson had cemented a governing style that emphasized economic inclusion, especially on large public works projects.

Third Term: 1990–1994

After stepping away from the mayor’s office for eight years (due to term limits at the time), Jackson returned for a third term from 1990 to 1994.

During this period, he is closely tied to:

• Preparing Atlanta for the 1996 Summer Olympics
• Continuing to shape airport policies and infrastructure
• Keeping a focus on economic opportunity for Black and minority businesses

Even if you moved to Atlanta long after 1994, the Olympic-era changes, downtown development, and infrastructure upgrades that started under or around his term still affect traffic patterns, neighborhoods, and public investment today.

How His Mayoral Years Connect to the Airport’s Name

If you fly in or out of Atlanta, you go through Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The “Jackson” in the name honors Maynard Jackson and, indirectly, his time as mayor.

His mayoral service—especially in the 1970s and early 1990s—was central to:

• The modern expansion of the airport
• Setting policies that increased minority participation in airport-related contracts
• Supporting the airport as a major economic engine for the metro area

For locals, that means his years in office are part of the reason Atlanta has:

• A major international hub bringing jobs, tourism, and business
• A long-standing model for city contracts that seek broader inclusion

Understanding the Timeline in the Context of Atlanta Politics

If you’re trying to place Jackson’s service among other Atlanta mayors, this basic order helps:

• He followed Sam Massell (who served from 1970–1974).
• Jackson’s first and second terms: 1974–1982.
• After Jackson’s second term, Andrew Young served as mayor (1982–1990).
• Jackson then returned for his third term: 1990–1994.
• He was followed by Bill Campbell (starting in 1994).

Knowing this sequence can help you if you’re:

• Researching neighborhood changes by decade
• Looking at city policy history for development, transportation, or civil rights
• Trying to understand which mayor was in office when certain projects or controversies took place

Where to Learn More About Mayors and Atlanta City Government

If you want more detail about Maynard Jackson’s years as mayor—or any Atlanta mayor—you can use a few local resources:

1. City of Atlanta Government Offices

You can visit or contact:

• City Hall – Office of the Mayor
  55 Trinity Ave SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main City Hall information lines typically direct you to departments that maintain historical or public-record information about past administrations.

They can often point you to:

• Archived city council records from the 1970s–1990s
• Resolutions, ordinances, and procurement policies started under Jackson

2. Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System

Local libraries often keep:

• Atlanta history collections
• Biographies and local histories covering Jackson’s time in office
• Newspapers on microfilm or digital archives from his 1974–1982 and 1990–1994 terms

The central branch is:

• Central Library (Downtown)
  1 Margaret Mitchell Square
  Atlanta, GA 30303

This is a useful stop if you are doing school projects, personal research, or planning heritage tours around the city.

3. Local History and Civil Rights Sites

While they may not always be focused only on Jackson’s mayoral years, several Atlanta institutions provide context:

• Auburn Avenue area and surrounding historic corridors
• National Center for Civil and Human Rights (for a broader civil rights and leadership context)

These places help you understand how Jackson’s 1974–1982 and 1990–1994 mayoral periods connect to the broader civil rights and economic story of Atlanta.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

• Maynard Jackson served as mayor of Atlanta from 1974–1982 and again from 1990–1994.
• He was the first African American mayor of Atlanta, and his policies on minority business participation and airport development still shape the city.
• The “Jackson” in Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport refers to him and his role in expanding and diversifying the airport project.
• Understanding when he served—1974–1982 and 1990–1994—helps you place many of Atlanta’s modern developments, especially in transportation, economic opportunity, and city growth.