WSB Radio Photographs
The Special Collections and Archives have recently digitized a portion of the images from the WSB Radio Records and they are now available online as part of the Library’s Digital Collections.
WSB (“Welcome South, Brother”) Radio was the first station to broadcast in the city of Atlanta in 1922. Hailed as the “Voice of the South,” WSB Radio was an innovative pioneer with its many breakthrough practices, such as being the first radio station to use a slogan and broadcasting a Spanish translation of “Voice of America” programs to Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. WSB always remained on the cutting edge and more importantly, relevant. Its presence continues to be felt in the city of Atlanta, throughout the nation, and worldwide.
Highlights of the collection include images of antiquated broadcasting equipment, the station’s facilities at the Atlanta Biltmore Hotel and White Columns Building, and activities such as election coverage, in the field reporting, and promotional events. Additionally, there are many images of well-known WSB Radio personnel and entertainers such as Dick Van Dyke, Elmo Ellis, Marcus Bartlett, Bob Van Camp, Rudolph Valentino, and Paul Whiteman.
Questions about this collection should be directed to Kevin Fleming, archivist, Popular Music and Culture Collection, at 404-413-2880 or archives@gsu.edu.