Fairlie-Poplar in Atlanta in Fulton County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Winecoff Fire

Photographed by Judith Barber, September 9, 2012

1. The Winecoff Fire Marker

Inscription. This is the site of the worst hotel fire in U.S. history. In the predawn hours of December 7, 1946, the Winecoff Hotel fire killed 119 people. The 15-story building still stands adjacent to this marker. At the time, this building had neither fire escapes, fire doors, nor sprinklers. For two and a half hours, Atlanta fire fighters and others from nearby towns battled valiantly in the cold to save the majority of the 280 guests. But their ladders reached only to the eighth floor and their nets were not strong enough to withstand jumps of more than 70 feet. Therefore numerous guests died on the sidewalks and in the alley behind the building. Thirty of the 119 victims were among Georgia’s most promising high school students, who had come to Atlanta to attend the YMCA’s Youth Assembly at the Capitol. The Winecoff fire became the watershed event in fire safety. Within days, cities across America began enacting more stringent safety ordinances. The fact that the Winecoff fire remains the worst hotel fire in U.S. history is testimony to its impact on modern fire safety codes.

This marker is dedicated to the victims, the survivors,

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and the firemen who fought the Winecoff fire.

Erected 1994 by Georgia Department of Natural Resources. (Marker Number 060-175.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 7, 1968.

Location. 33° 45.45′ N, 84° 23.297′ W. Marker is in Atlanta, Georgia, in Fulton County. It is in Fairlie-Poplar. It is at the intersection of Forsythe Street NW and Margaret Mitchell Square NW, on the right when traveling north on Forsythe Street NW. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 36 Margaret Mitchell Square NW, Atlanta GA 30303, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of

Photographed by Judith Barber, September 9, 2012

2. The Winecoff Fire Marker

View from Caragie St.

the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Georgia-Pacific (within shouting distance of this marker); Building at 161 Spring Street (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Healey Building (about 700 feet away); U.S. Courthouse, Atlanta, Georgia (about 800 feet away); SunTrust Bank (approx. 0.2 miles away); 10 Park Place (approx. ¼ mile away); Birthplace of Coca-Cola (approx. ¼ mile away); Lynching in America / 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlanta.

Photographed by Judith Barber, September 9, 2012

3. The Winecoff Fire Marker

View from Forsyth St.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2012, by Judith Barber of Marietta, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,495 times since then and 74 times this year. Last updated on September 22, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 10, 2012, by Judith Barber of Marietta, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.