Atlanta, GA
Finding a Christmas letter from “Little Mary” Phagan
Courtesy of CB Hackworth
In the early part of the last century, at Christmastime, the Atlanta Journal customarily encouraged children of its readers to write Santa Claus short letters and entrust the newspaper with their safe delivery to the North Pole.
No suspicions were raised, apparently, when the Journal printed many of those letters a few days before the holiday.
And so it came to pass that the endearing, sometimes humorous wish lists of almost 300 kids filled two full pages in the edition published on December 23, 1908. In the middle of all that gray type, hidden in plain sight and forgotten for well over a century, was one that’s historically noteworthy:
Dear Santa Claus: I am a little girl nine years old. My papa is dead. I have no one to look to but mamma. We are very poor, too, I will ask you to bring what I want. A nice doll and carriage, a tea set, and something for mamma. Be careful and don’t get smutty. Your friend, MARY PHAGAN, College Park, Ga., Gate City Mills, No. 47.
I discovered the small item just a couple weeks ago during eleventh hour fact-checking for Andrew Young’s eight-part documentary series Atlanta Story, expected to air on Georgia Public Broadcasting early in 2026. Even after more than three years in production, I’m compelled to follow rabbits down wikiholes—and not for nothing. Very recent advances in technology have enabled us to use almost forensic detective work to investigate and uncover a fascinating, untold history of Atlanta.
As much as possible, I try to avoid clichés, but it actually did feel as if my heart skipped a beat.
Doubtlessly, you recognize the name, too.
The rape and murder of Mary Phagan in 1913 remains of the most infamous and sensational crimes in the storied history of Atlanta, if not the state and country, and was a particularly traumatic chapter in the life of this city. The tragic story has been told in countless articles, books, movies and TV shows, Alfred Uhry’s acclaimed Broadway musical Parade, and the old folk ballad by Fiddlin’ John Carson, “Little Mary Phagan”—but the single most definitive account, by far, is And the Dead Shall Rise, written by Steve Oney and published in 2003.
Mary was barely a teenager when her abused body was discovered in the basement of the National Pencil Factory on Forsyth Street, near what today we call “The Gulch” and now home to Centennial Yards, a downtown revitalization project. She earned 10-cents an hour, working 12-hour shifts at a machine that inserted rubber erasers into the metal tips of pencils.
The pencil factory was temporarily closed due to a shortage of materials, but April 26 was Confederate Memorial Day and Mary, having taken a trolley downtown to watch the parade, stopped to collect $1.20 she was owed for one day’s work. The discovery of her body in the factory basement led to the sensational trial and conviction (wrongful, most now believe) of the factory’s Jewish superintendent Leo Frank—and two years later, in 1915, his notorious lynching in Marietta and the rebirth of the Ku Klux Klan atop Stone Mountain.
Oney, who is a friend, dedicated 15 years of painstaking research—the hard, old fashioned, pre-internet kind—and his beautifully written book identifies a number of prominent citizens who took part in Frank’s lynching—which, he proves conclusively, was not a random act of mob violence, but, rather, an unsanctioned execution orchestrated at the highest levels of state government.
He also was able to get a hold of a letter written by Mary to her cousin and friend Myrtle Barmore on December 30, 1912, just a few months before her death, and quotes it very early in his book. Perhaps ironically, that correspondence also mentioned Christmas—with Mary chiding Myrtle, “I don’t know what to think of you for not coming.”
I was excited to share the “find” with Oney. If anybody knew of Mary Phagan’s letter to Santa, it would have been him—but it came as a surprise. I don’t think anybody could have known—until now.
An enormous, ever-growing repository exists online at newspapers.com—which, of course, is great—but even in the recent past, you’d have to know where, what, and when to look. The game changer is optical recognition, which allows the digitized microfilm to be searched by keyword and date.
If you type “Mary Phagan” in the search bar and leave the “date” field blank, you get 88,625 hits. Narrow the search to Georgia newspapers, and that number shrinks to 2,987. But filter those in chronological order, oldest to newest, and at the very top of the list is just a single mention of that name before 1913.
Georgia’s child labor laws were “reformed” in 1906, setting 10 as the minimum age to work in a factory—yet, the little girl’s letter to Santa establishes she was nine when it was written—and already working at Gate City Mills, a mammoth textile factory that processed cotton.
Beyond that sad fact, and mention of her father, who died before Mary was born, it isn’t a smoking gun or clue to anything—just a small but nevertheless historically significant remnant of her life—or, as Steve puts it, “the only examples we’ll ever have of Mary’s voice.”
But, last night, I came across two more!
On ancestry.com, relatives have put up two postcards to Myrtle, in Mary’s writing. One is postmarked January 29, 1910—a little more than a year after her letter to Santa was published in the Atlanta Journal and she asks, “What did Santa Claus bring you?”
I wonder what, if anything, he brought “Little Mary,” as she would come to be remembered.
It’s been on my mind, haunting me this holiday season. Did the impoverished child who left school for long hours of factory work get that doll and carriage or the tea set she wanted?
How exciting it must have been, two days before Christmas, for a poor mill worker to see her name printed in the newspaper!
Four years later, her name would appear in newspapers across the country for months to come. She is forever known and remembered.
CB Hackworth, an occasional contributor to Atlanta magazine, is a longtime journalist in both print and broadcast media. His work in television has been recognized with “about” 40 Emmy Awards as head of the investigative unit at WXIA-TV, senior producer of Action News Primetime and Closeups for WSB-TV, and a 20-year collaboration with Andrew Young on a series of nationally syndicated documentaries. However, he says that on the rare occasion his name is recognized, it is for having been a columnist and editor of the weekly newspaper Creative Loafing during the late 1980s and early 90s.
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Thousands of Atlanta immigrants face deportations
Hundreds of thousands of Haitian immigrants face potential deportation starting July 27 after a Supreme Court ruling allowed the administration to end Temporary Protected Status, according to legal advocates.
ATLANTA – A Supreme Court ruling allowing the end of Temporary Protected Status has sparked widespread fear among tens of thousands of Haitian immigrants living across Georgia.
The major legal decision clears the way for federal authorities to resume deportations next month.
Georgia immigrants face deportation
What we know:
The Supreme Court ruled last week that the Trump administration can end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 1-million immigrants. This decision affects roughly 350,000 Haitian immigrants nationwide, including thousands who legally reside and work in metro Atlanta.
Former Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf called the ruling a dramatic win for the administration and common sense. However, local immigration lawyer Lana Joseph said, “these are people who are well vetted, who work here, raise children, pay taxes.”
Atlanta community fears violence
What they’re saying:
An anonymous Haitian woman living in metro Atlanta expressed profound terror, calling the sudden legal shift an absolute nightmare. She said, “I am worried about the future more because I don’t know what’s going to happen to me,” fearing she could be killed by heavily armed gangs that currently overrun much of Haiti.
Dr. Jean Billy Beaufils, president of the Georgia Haitian Leadership Coalition, strongly condemned the decision, describing any forced return to Haiti as suicide. Joseph added that some facing removal entered the country as infants and know no other home.
Legal protections ending soon
What’s next:
The Trump administration is authorized to begin deportations on July 27 following the expiration of the legal safeguards. Meanwhile, immigration advocates are pressing Congress to intervene and extend protections for vulnerable communities.
Unresolved immigration details
What we don’t know:
Officials have not yet confirmed exactly how many individuals within Georgia will face immediate removal actions starting next month. It also remains unclear whether federal authorities will prioritize specific cases or execute widespread enforcement operations.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from FOX 5 reporter Christopher King, who interviewed affected Haitian community members and legal experts in metro Atlanta, as well as broadcast pool feeds featuring federal policy statements.
Here’s a closer look at Atlanta’s newest eateries, drinking spots, hotels, conference areas, private rooms, and other spaces available for events this summer. The new and renovated Atlanta-area venues are available for corporate parties, weddings, fundraisers, outdoor functions, business dinners, team-building activities, conferences, meetings, and more.
Hotel Phoenix
Rendering: Courtesy of Green Olive Media
One of downtown Atlanta’s most anticipated openings, Hotel Phoenix brings 292 guest rooms, 15 suites, and more than 15,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space to the rapidly evolving Centennial Yards district, just in time for FIFA festivities. Opening in December 2025, the 18-story property sits steps from Mercedes-Benz Stadium and offers floor-to-ceiling skyline views throughout. For planners, the headline is the flexible event footprint, anchored by an 8,214-square-foot ballroom that can be separated into three spaces by airwalls. The indoor flexibility is complemented by outdoor gathering spaces, which debuted this spring, including a resort-style pool deck, event lawn, and terrace lounge. With modern industrial design, built-in AV capabilities, and easy access to Atlanta’s sports and entertainment corridor, Hotel Phoenix is poised to become a go-to destination for conferences, galas, receptions, and high-energy corporate events.
JW Marriott Atlanta Downtown
Photo: Courtesy of JW Marriott Atlanta Downtown
Following a complete transformation of the former W Atlanta Downtown, JW Marriott Atlanta Downtown debuted in May with 237 guest rooms and nearly 10,000 square feet of refreshed meeting and event space. The property’s redesigned venues include conference rooms, banquet spaces, prefunction areas, and JW Marriott’s signature Blank Canvas Room, a gallery-style venue featuring white walls and wood floors designed to be fully customized for any event vision. An elevated boardroom, one of the city’s largest executive lounges, wellness-focused guest accommodations, and a rooftop pool bar add extra appeal for executive retreats and multi-day conferences. For planners seeking a luxury downtown option with a fresh new identity, this one deserves a spot on the shortlist.
Cosm Atlanta
Photo: Courtesy of Cosm Atlanta
If your attendees have already seen every ballroom in Atlanta, introduce them to Cosm. The new 70,000-square-foot venue in Centennial Yards is anchored by an 87-foot-diameter LED dome that delivers immersive “shared reality” experiences unlike anything currently available in the meetings market. The three-level venue accommodates up to 2,000 guests across three distinct event environments. The Dome seats up to 500 for screenings, presentations, and private experiences beneath the massive 12K+ LED display. The Hall offers a two-story event space with theater seating for 500, while The Deck provides outdoor reception space for up to 400 guests overlooking Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena. From product launches and media events to client entertainment and branded activations, Cosm offers planners a built-in wow factor that requires very little additional dressing.
SKOL Brewing Company & Valhalla Gaming Lounge
Photo: Courtesy of Caren West PR
Already known for its Nordic-inspired brewpub atmosphere inside downtown Atlanta’s historic 200 Peachtree building, SKOL Brewing Company is leveling up with the addition of Valhalla Gaming Lounge, a 30,000-square-foot expansion designed for immersive group experiences. Combined with SKOL’s existing 5,000-square-foot footprint, the venue creates a sprawling entertainment destination packed with more than 40 interactive attractions, including simulators, bocce courts, billiards, darts, arcade games, and experiential gaming zones. Private event options are already available, making this a compelling choice for team-building programs, client entertainment, conference after-parties, and events that need a healthy dose of friendly competition.
Thrillz Atlanta
Photo: Courtesy of Thrillz Atlanta & Brown Bag Marketing
Forget trust falls. Thrillz Atlanta is bringing adrenaline-fueled team building to the city with a massive indoor adventure park featuring more than 20 attractions under one roof. Designed for group outings, corporate events, and large-scale celebrations, the venue combines amusement rides, virtual reality experiences, laser tag, duckpin bowling, obstacle courses, arcade gaming, and towering slide attractions reaching up to 40 feet high. Ten themed private event rooms, dedicated event coordinators, and full food-and-beverage service make planning surprisingly turnkey. For companies looking to inject some serious energy into meetings, incentive programs, or employee events, Thrillz offers an experience attendees won’t forget.
You42 Studios
Photo: Courtesy of You42 Studios
Part content campus, part entertainment complex, part event venue, You42 Studios is one of the most unconventional new event destinations to open in metro Atlanta. Located in Roswell, the 36,000-square-foot facility combines creator studios, production suites, restaurants, nightlife concepts, live entertainment, and flexible event space under one roof. For planners, versatility is the selling point. The campus includes a 3,800-square-foot event venue, 11 professional content-creation studios, podcast suites, themed production sets, and The Block Theater, featuring a 30-by-18-foot LED screen for presentations, screenings, and live performances. Add multiple food-and-beverage concepts led by celebrity chef Katsuji Tanabe, and You42 becomes a one-stop shop for conferences, content-driven events, brand launches, influencer programs, and corporate gatherings looking for something far more memorable than a hotel meeting room.
Peachtree Sporting Club & American Dive
Photo: Zachary Bobo
Downtown Atlanta’s new 207 Peachtree development is betting big on experiential events. The 45,000-square-foot entertainment, dining, and event destination opened this month with Peachtree Sporting Club, an upscale sports bar concept, and American Dive, a live music venue serving Southern barbecue in a nostalgic dive-bar setting. For planners looking to move beyond traditional ballrooms, the venue offers built-in energy, multiple environments under one roof, and the flexibility to host everything from watch parties and networking receptions to buyouts and branded activations. It’s the kind of place where attendees can swap conference badges for cocktails without ever leaving the venue.
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