A Drive Thru Griffin, Ga 1979 

I live in Griffin, and it feels so surreal to see all of the familiar locations I pass by every day look so different.. (Griffith's, McDonald's, the cotton mill, the cemetary, etc.) My Grandpa talks about this age all the time. He would be 19 during this video. Anyone know when Time Travel is going to be publicly available?

It would be quite interesting to film the same route today and post side-by-side with the '79 trip.

I lived in Griffin from late 1974 to 1982 and graduated GHS in 1979, so I recognize all of this!

Watching this video is like re-living old dreams of riding in the back of our old station wagon going to town. I was really young then but seem to remember most of these places. Appreciate old videos like this.

Thank you for this video. I was born and raised in Griffin. I see you ended up in the Amberwood subdivision. I lived in the neighborhood next door - Crestview Heights. My parents still live there.

Wow...I moved away from Griffin 11 years ago. I'm living in Hawaii now and this video definitely brought back memories and made me homesick. Adding it to my favorites. Creepy music though...haha.

I just about recognized everything. The Parkwood Cinema looked brand new.

Our son was born that sane year on Dec. 25th. Glad you enjoyed the video. Your mom is one of my good friends on Facebook. Thanks for leaving a comment.

I was born and grew up in Griffin. I was 13 when this film was made. I moved away when I was 24. I look on google maps sometimes at Griffin and while there are still things I recognize, stuff has been built and built up enough that I always feel a bit disconcerted and disoriented seeing it. But this here, that's the Griffin I remember. I found myself calling out all the names of stuff just before it entered the camera and was even hoping I might recognize someone in their cars at the red lights. It's good this stuff is on the internet.

I lived in Orchard Hill 1974 to 1984 - I could taste the frosted mugs at Griffith's when I saw this. Thanks for posting! I'd love to see more!

It's crazy how this was filmed 20 years before I was born, yet I recognized so many locations in this video. It's also surreal seeing the same restaurant that my grandpa owned at 5:48. Dad told me so many stories about it, but I never thought I'd get to see it here on video.

You're welcome. Glad you liked the video. Griffin has really grown a lot in the last few years. It is crowded especially on the North West side.

Was married in 1969 my kids were 7, 5, and 3. This brought back a ton of memories and I got to see places that no longer exist except in my memories thanks so much for filming this. My husband worked for 18 years at Dundee #5. To go back in time was a treat.

Thanks David this brought back some great memories!!!

Great video. Born in 82 and remember alot of this. So different today. Thanks for sharing

Very nice video! Me being born in 1986 I get to see some of the things my parents and grandparents are/were talking about in this video. It's crazy how time flies... I'm so glad you took the time back in 1979 to do this!

Awesome David! Thanks for sharing!

Oh my god my friend just moved out of your old house about 3 years ago! I spent so much time there. I love this video...I remember Crouch's, Kroger, JC Penney, everything!

This is a classic video and a gem and should always be kept up on RU-vid for the public to see.

Thank you for posting this! Recorded two years before my family moved to Griffin. Lots of memories!

That was great! Thanks for sharing! I hope others with historical footage like this will share as well!

Thanks so much for posting, David! My parents were married in August of 1979 and I grew up hearing story after story of their "yesteryear" adventures. I can't tell you how many times I've wished for a glimpse of life as it was when they were young. This video is absolutely priceless!

Thank you Mr. Baugh. Born in 82’ but a lot of these places were memories to me as well. Love that maybe you stayed in Amberwoods. I can’t wait to show my kids this clip.

Wow, didn't know how much Griffin has changed! I live in Griffin now, can't believe what i just seen. A regular day back then, every day people living there lives. Loved the video. The whole time i was watching i was noticing where there are buildings now, use to be woods back then. Can't believe belk was here that long, can't believe Sears was at that location " in the belk shopping center " location until they moved a few years ago. Everything was better back then, tools, vehicle's, lawn equipment, and everything else in between! And everything was truly American made. Not " made in America with global parts " stuff was made to last back then. I truly wish i could jump into this video and live my whole life back then. It's an amazing clip from history! Thanks again!

Thank you for your nice comment. I am glad you enjoyed the video. The Kroger and JC Penney was in the spot where Food Depot is today. There was an Eckerds there also. Before then Kroger was on South Hill Street in the area now called College Hill Shopping Center. It has changed a lot over the years.

Thank you for your nice comment. I love Griffin to and if I didn't I wouldn't have stayed here all my life. I never expected the response that I gotten from this video my wife and I took so many years ago as just an experiment really. Thanks again.

Thanks for posting this video, David, It's so awesome seeing my city back in the day And i can't believe there use to be a Kroger and JCPenney on 16! That is pretty mind blowing.

Thanks for posting..brings back memories..i think i saw the house we moved into in either 79 or 80 ..109 Hamilton blvd..i think it was at 1:33 of this video..

I was only 8 years old then, but I remember when Griffin looked a lot like that. Thanks for sharing. I really enjoyed it.

Wow, I'm from Griffin and enjoy your videos. Thanks for uploading!

Wow I have lived here since 1982 this brought back memories. Thank you.

thanks for posting. great vid. I lived in griffin from 89 to2005 out on teamon road. I remeber shopping at themold kroger and jcpenny in that old location. I drove through there the other day and could not belive how crowded it has gotten.

Thank you. So glad to share the memories with everyone.

Wow...thanks for the memories. I had a 1970 Caddy at the time. My 1st car! I was 17.

I was born on August 10th, 1979. This is so cool to see what my hometown looked like then! My mother is Betty Jo Buchanan Betz.

I was 10 that year! There at the end, you turned down my street, into Amberwood! Thanks for bringing back some memories!

David -- 9 months later, I finally see your reply about my Dad. Yes, he taught at GHS from '67 - '69. My parents moved to Amberwood in '68.

That was cool. I was 15 at the time and remember all of that stuff. Thanks for posting

That town has grown a lot since I lived there!! Would you happen to be related to Mike Baugh? He worked at Precise Packaging (Put plastic spoons, forks, & knives (sometimes, napkins) when I worked there. Not in '79, but a few years later). If I'm not mistaken, he had a sister(in-law?) who worked there too. Anyway, I loved the video! Now, do one to put together with this one to show the differences from then and now!

Thanks so much for posting this! Liked the music! Still miss Cooks!

Thanks for sharing! I lived on Hallmark drive during that time and my wife lived just off Hamilton Blvd.

I was 8 that year. Finally found some video from Griffin past I have been looking for some all over the internet even photos. I can finally show my daughter the old Kroger and JCPenney even though that was its second location that i know of. Thanks

wow, my old AMBERWOOD. We left 1843 Hallmark Dr. on June 8, 1979. I remember it well. A very sad day for me. Great video. I loved the KFC shot, and Claxton Pharmacy!

We moved to Griffin in 1979 when I was 8. I moved away in 1990. This is so cool to see. Thank you!

wow blown away i was 5 years old I remember some things but other places I never knew was located there compared to now thanks for this video

So sorry about your grandmother. I remember when that happened. I know right where the house is. I could see it from where I worked at the Distribution Center my last four years with the company. Glad you enjoyed the video.

i've lived in griffin most of my life. i was 7 then... great footage! :)

I wasn't alive at this time, but I loved seeing everything....things haven't changed THAT much, can still make out everything.

Glad you enjoyed it.

You're welcome Bradford. I'm glad you enjoyed the memories. Hallmark Drive in Amberwood is my street to.

Thanks Ben!

That was awesome... brought back memories

Amazing! It's so neat to see Griffin that way. I never knew there was a JCPenney there. Griffith's, WKEU, the Health Dept, Claxton-Cole....all look the same. I remember Sears being there and KFC up on the hill even though I wasn't born until several years after this video was shot. Haha. My mama graduated in '77 from GHS so it's neat to see the streets she ran, the way they were. I only wish there was more! :) Thanks for sharing!

I'm glad you did Sheryl.

Awesome video

Wish we had an updated video...would love to use with our students showing our community Then and insert still shots of "Now" !

this was crazy blast from the past cool post

You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed the memories. I have other footage to dig out and share.

Thanks for that! I spent most summers with my grandmother who lived near the JC Penney that you showed on the film.Music was creepy though.lol.

I was born and raised in Griffin! It was so great back then and nice city! Not anymore gangs and drugs has destroyed that city. I live in Cartersville now.

A lot of things have changed here since this film was made

The house they pulled into my dad lived there in about 1974 or 1975. That's insane!

That was awesome 😎

Thanks for your comment, Anne! Glad you enjoyed it.

You're welcome Reggie. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

I lived in Griffin in 1976 when I was 11. I lived on Ruth St, near Experiment. Other than my immediate neighborhood, my memories are very hazy. There was a fruit stand (I think more of a small store that sold fruit) that we could walk to; on Old Atl Hwy I think. I was hoping I might see the Pizza Hut in this video, that's the only major building I think I'd remember. But I didn't spot it. Did I miss it?

Love this!

You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed the video. The JC Penney and Kroger were in the area where Food Depot is located today on West Taylor Street.

I grew up in Experiment just north of Griffin. My granparents, Malon and Frances Grant lived on school street then moved to Bleachery Street as I entered Jr. High. My grandmother was murdered by 2 home intruders in 1992 in the Bleachery Street home. I had left by 1979 but the landmarks are the same. Thanks for the memories.

Wow that whole factory was like warm down

You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it Jim.

I agree with you about the music. LOL! Unfortunately due to copyright issues the music choices are limited.

Hi David, Great video and you are cutting edge in the day. Was wondering if you are related to Wayne Baugh that worked at the Georgia Experiment Station. I grew up on the Highland Mill Village B. while my mom lived on William Street in 1945. That is across from the Rat hole know as the Rex. LOL I worked with Wayne when I was with Pomona Products. Mrs. Griffith of the Griffith A&W Drive In, also worked at Pomona at that time. Tex now in Western Spalding County

You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it.Yes it was in Amberwood on Hallmark Drive.

Someone bring me to that era.

You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it.

Summer of 79, 87 degrees. This could have been the day my daughter was born. Aug 2nd.

I grew up in the project Fairmont apartment

You're welcome Cynthia. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it. We were probably almost neighbors.

Even though the video quality is poor, I wish you would have videoed from the front of the car as yall drove through the town. That side view didn't allow us to see much at all. Then when you did video a little from the front, half of the dash was in the picture and we saw nothing but sky and telephone wires. I moved to Griffin in 1999 and I saw a lot I recognize and what is there today. But the video could have been filmed a little better than it was. Mainly out the front so we could see a lot more from both sides of the streets.

I was burn in1977 but I came to Griffin ga when I was 2

You're welcome. I glad you enjoyed the video.

My dad had a lot of brothers but none named were named Wayne. There was Sherman, James, Dewey, Clifford, Raymond, Bobby, Walter, Howard and Thomas. Next time I talk with my uncle I ask him if knows what that might be. Griffith's still have a place in Griffin.

Omg..how awesome. Do you have any more???

I've saw census records from years ago and my grandparents lived next door to J.M. Wiles. Mr. Wiles was the Sunday School Superintendent for years at East Griffin Baptist Church. I remember Lane and Jane the twins and also Angela and Kim. I knew Mr. Wiles had been married before but I don't remember who to.

You're welcome. I agree about the music. Due to copyright issues I couldn't use the music I wanted to use. Perhaps I can find something better though. :)

odd that I found this post by accident.

They tore down the mills...so many memories

Saw the Spalding Hosiery Shoppe. Is that where the Sock Shoppe is today? I racked up on tons of their stuff at the Macon location (before they relocated to the mall). Other than the peephole effect (probably the technology back then) I enjoyed it.

Pretty cool look back. Too bad you didn't do any train video's with that setup.

I'm not sure about West Griffin Building Supply. I'll be going through my tapes and see what I can come up with. I wish we had recorded it better and got more places.

I can still smell the old Kroger in memories...

Interesting. You might remember that there's a little booth (looks like a security booth) right at 8th and Meriweather. It seems odd and out of place... what was it originally?

Bradford, My wife says your dad was her business math and typing teacher when she was in high school. She was in the class of 1968.

P.S Love the music!

Cool. Thx for sharing. I was 11 then...is the end of the video on Amber wood Lane?

wheres suga hill ...? The projects? is that really griffin , ga?

this is crazy. this was the year my parents got married and I was still a long long ways from being born

I don't know if there is such a thing as a safe friendly place on the Internet. But I try to keep my RU-vid page that way.