Walter Sims
Encyclopedia
Walter Arthur Sims was an American
politician.
Born in Dawson County, Georgia
, (near Ballground), he was the son of John Newton Sims (1848 1919).
The family moved to Buckhead
in 1892, and Walter was educated in public schools.
He graduated from the University of Georgia
in 1899 and began a twenty-five-year law career in Atlanta.
In 1903, he married Edna Belle Cheshire daughter of Napoleon Cheshire.
He served as councilman of the Ninth Ward.
He was twice elected mayor of Atlanta (both times defeating James Key) promising to clean up the police department after a gambling scandal.
During his tenure, the Spring Street Viaduct was completed, the north half of which still stands after the southern half was rebuilt in 1996.
He also built two new schools, not from bonds but from general revenue, and he also paid off a $1,000,000 deficit left over from the previous Key
administration.
In 1923, he proposed building an airport, sending alderman William Hartsfield to find a suitable location.
Candler Field proved to be the best, and in 1925 the city leased it (the first five years were free) and the next year won a lucrative U.S. Mail route.
In 1924, he opened the city's Municipal Market (today's Sweet Auburn Curb Market
). He is buried in Arlington Memorial Park, in Sandy Springs, Georgia
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician.
Born in Dawson County, Georgia
Dawson County, Georgia
Dawson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 3, 1857 from Gilmer and Lumpkin counties. As of 2000, the population is 15,999. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 21,484...
, (near Ballground), he was the son of John Newton Sims (1848 1919).
The family moved to Buckhead
Buckhead (Atlanta)
Buckhead is the uptown district of Atlanta, Georgia, United States, comprising approximately the northern one-fifth of the city. Buckhead is a major commercial and financial center of the Southeast, and it is the third-largest business district in Atlanta, behind Downtown and Midtown...
in 1892, and Walter was educated in public schools.
He graduated from the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
in 1899 and began a twenty-five-year law career in Atlanta.
In 1903, he married Edna Belle Cheshire daughter of Napoleon Cheshire.
He served as councilman of the Ninth Ward.
He was twice elected mayor of Atlanta (both times defeating James Key) promising to clean up the police department after a gambling scandal.
During his tenure, the Spring Street Viaduct was completed, the north half of which still stands after the southern half was rebuilt in 1996.
He also built two new schools, not from bonds but from general revenue, and he also paid off a $1,000,000 deficit left over from the previous Key
James L. Key
James L. Key lawyer who as the 45th and 48th Mayor of Atlanta.By 1902, he was councilman representing the Sixth Ward and ran for mayor in 1904 and 1918 first losing to then defeating James G. Woodward....
administration.
In 1923, he proposed building an airport, sending alderman William Hartsfield to find a suitable location.
Candler Field proved to be the best, and in 1925 the city leased it (the first five years were free) and the next year won a lucrative U.S. Mail route.
In 1924, he opened the city's Municipal Market (today's Sweet Auburn Curb Market
Sweet Auburn Curb Market
The Sweet Auburn Curb Market is a historic municipal market located at 209 Edgewood Avenue, S.W., in Atlanta, Georgia.The market was originally established in 1918 on land cleared by the Great Atlanta fire of 1917. The market, set up in a huge tent, was an immediate success, bringing urban...
). He is buried in Arlington Memorial Park, in Sandy Springs, Georgia
Sandy Springs, Georgia
Sandy Springs is a city in north Georgia, United States. It is a northern suburb of Atlanta. With a 2010 population of 93,853, Sandy Springs is the sixth-largest city in the state and the second-largest city in Metro Atlanta. Sandy Springs is located in north Fulton County, Georgia, just south of...
.