The State Capitol

GEORGIA HAD THREE GOVERNORS AT THE SAME TIME map

From Georgia Capital


Amid a few photos of the Capitol Building and some of the very interesting statuary on the premises, I thought I might relate an interesting story about the time, Atlanta had three governors. Part of the purpose of setting up this blog is to try to give a little insight into the history of the area. Not all the details, but enough to, hopefully, get a person interested.



I could tell you that the dome of the Capitol is gilded with Dahlonega Gold, or that the building was built in the 1880's, or that tours of the capital are available Monday through Friday at 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm (Open generally to the public 830am-500pm).



The story of the three governors is far more interesting. I'm not going to tell you everything, but the strange scenario happened because the Governor-elect, Eugene Talmadge, died somewhere between winning the election and actually taking office. The state legislature reasoned that should the death occur they would get to choose the new governor out of the second and third place candidates. They even ran a secret write in candidate, Eugene Talmadge's son, Herman. The State Constitution had been recently amended to create the position of Lt. Governor. Melvin Thompson, who was no friend of the Talmadges, won that post and had a claim.



Amidst all the bickering amongst these two factions, the outgoing Governor Ellis Arnall decided to stick around. As things progressed, the locks on the State Capitol were changed by the Talmadges, Arnall set up his offices in one of the Information Kiosks, while Thompson took it to court.



I won't tell you how it ended. It might have been peaceful or might have been bloodshed. The idea was to get you interested to find out more. It really happened back in 1946-47.

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