Atlanta’s “Iconic” Stadiums

Iconic is one of those overused words these days. What does it even mean? 

Definition: widely recognized, legendary, or serving as a definitive symbol of a particular style or concept. Something is iconic if it is instantly recognizable and has lasting cultural, historical, or popular significance. 

Some yahoo claimed Atlanta’s two most iconic stadiums were the Georgia Dome and Mercedes Benz Stadium. Are they? 

The Georgia Dome opened in 1992 and was torn down 25 years later, in 2017. People complain about the short lifespans of stadiums in Atlanta, and the Georgia Dome is a prime example. Not enough luxury suites for the mediocre Falcons. Hosted two Super Bowls. The only US stadium to host the Super Bowl, the Olympics, and a Final Four. Does that make it iconic? 

Mercedes Benz Stadium opened in 2017 and has yet to host a Super Bowl, though it is hosting World Cup matches this year. Unique architecture, the world’s largest jumbotron, and the corkscrew opening roof does fall under the iconic definition, though the Benz is still the new kid on the stadium block. 

But there are several competitors vying to wear the most iconic stadium crown. Ponce de Leon Park hosted the Atlanta Crackers and the Black Crackers. Numerous legends played there. Babe Ruth and Eddie Mathews slugged homers into the distant Spiller Magnolia in centerfield. Jackie Robinson played there. Jack Dempsey faught there. Both Tech and Georgia played football there. Now that’s iconic. 

Grant Field is the oldest on campus stadium in Division 1 - 113 years old. The Jackets were among the elite college football teams in the country for decades. The view of downtown Atlanta from Grant Field, especially at night, is described by many as…iconic. Their words, not mine. 

Atlanta Stadium was built in 1966 and hosted the Braves, Falcons, the NAS champion Atlanta Chiefs, numerous Peach Bowls, several World Series games, the MLB All Star Game, and the Olympics. Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s record there. Bob Horner hit four home runs in one game there. It’s where Sid Slid. Heck, the Beatles played there. Can you say iconic? 

Turner Field opened in 1996 as the Olympic Stadium, the greatest sporting event in Atlanta history. The biggest event in Atlanta history. The opening and closing ceremonies. Track & field. Then the Braves took over the stadium. Randy Johnson threw a perfect game there. A World Series and MLB All Star Game were played there. Again, iconic. 

And don’t forget The Omni. Hawks. Flames. Olympic volleyball. The Final Four. In its heyday, Tech basketball hosted their biggest games there, against the likes of Michael Jordan and Ralph Sampson. All sorts of NBA legends: Kareem, Magic, Bird, Dr J, Pistol Pete. Plus another legend sold out The Omni time and again, so much that they put up a plaque in the building. Some icon named Elvis. 

And don’t sleep on Truist Park. Opened the same year as Mercedes Benz, and has already hosted the World Series and the MLB all star game. What makes Truist Park iconic? It has reinvented what a ballpark can be. The adjacent Battery is a place unlike any other, where fans can hang out before and after games. Funnels hundreds of millions back into the Braves coffers. Dignitaries from other teams come to tour the area, with hopes of copying the Truist Park blueprint in their town. The very definition of the word iconic. 

And that’s not all. Alexander Memorial Coliseum has a rich, iconic history. The Thrillerdome. So many legends have played there. Not just the Jackets and their opponents. Alexander was the Hawks first home in Atlanta. Lou Hudson. Walt Bellamy. Pistol Pete. Olympic boxing was held there. 

And when you’re taking about Atlanta’s iconic stadiums, how can you leave out Hermance Stadium. Say what? Built in 1920, the legendary Gothic style ballpark hosts the Oglethorpe University Stormy Petrels baseball team. Hall of Famer Luke Appling played there. 

Friday: took Winnie out to the beach early again. Took the chairs and umbershoot, and stuck around for a while. Went back to the unit for a call Ceil had to get on. Met one of our neighbors, who’d lived here 36 years. Goodness. 

By the time we made it back to the beach it had come up a cloud, so we packed it in for the day. Ran some errands and took it easy. Zipped the eleven miles down to Georgetown for a quick visit. 

Had a 5 pm reservation at the popular Chive Blossom Cafe. It had disappointed C last year, but she loved the salmon this time. I couldn’t convince our server to let me order the burger off the lunch menu, so I had to settle for the salad with grilled chicken. 

After supper while C was in Ulta, I tried out a milkshake from 7 Brew. I had never known exactly what the place served. Pretty much a drive thru only. Coffee, smoothies, and other fancy expensive drinks of the day. I got a cookies & cream shake. I swear it had a nice coffee taste, but C didn’t think so. At eight bucks, I won’t be back.