HEP
The History of Skateboarding in Atlanta
I. In the beginning
1974-1976-The Fulton Industrial Bowl, an
empty fountain in an industrial park, is one of
the first banks abused by Atlanta skaters.
II. Vertical hunger sends skaters searching
for empty pools.
1977-The year of the pools. Some of the
legends include: Kittridge, The Mansion, Turkey
Bowl, The Blue Room, The Snake Pit.
III. Trend swings from pools to skateparks.
1978-The first park is The Curl in Smyrna.
1978-Concrete Surf: Better known as the
Concrete Crack.
1979-National Skateboard Park.
IV. Insurance scare freezes the parks.
Ramp scene dominates from 1980-1982.
1980-Many backyards sport half-pipes. Tom
Kay supplies the Eastside locals with the city's
first flat bottom ramp, known as Tommy's Ramp.
Due to a rapid growth in housing developments,
ramps on the Northside emerge with minimum
construction costs to the laborers. Northside
locals skate the Ramp Ranch. Midtown locals
skate Mouse's Ramp.
V. Lull in the skate scene
1982-1984-Only die-hards grace the stage.
VI. Ramps revived, street skaters emerge.
1983-Ramp Ranch II is the setting for the One
Night Stand contest.
1984-Ramp Ranch II torn down and moved
to TK's, site of the 1984 Thanksgiving Jam.
1985-Street Thing 1: The first street contest.
1986-Street Thing II. Ramps infiltrate the city.
1987-NSA hits Atlanta for the first time with
the Stone Mountain Jam.
1988-1989-The hottest spots today: Cherokee
Ramp, Steel Ramp, Garden Ramp, River Ramp,
Thomas' Ramp (built by Tim Payne), Metal
Ramp (built by Don Hillsman), Corner Banks,
Bell Center, Lindberg Pool, Honeywell Building.
The Laundromat. ►
Clockwise from Left: Charles Harmon
cracks an ollie across an Atlanta embank-
ment. Bringing up the new guard, Josh
Rule lets it fly at the Laundromat wall. A
classic look at Tommy Kay flirtin' with
disaster at the Ramp Ranch II. Inset: The
Ramp Ranch's deck with huts attached.
Skater/shop owner Thomas "Mouse"
Taylor nose-picks to fakie on his ramp.
PUT SOME
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WHAT'S HAPPENG
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