The First Hot Air Balloon Ride

Before airplanes and AI, Atlanta once stopped in its tracks to watch a hot air balloon rise into the sky. In this episode, I cover the story of the city’s first balloon flight in 1869. Balloon pioneer Samuel Archer King and the “Dare Devil Dentist” Dr. Albert Hape ascended nearly a mile above Atlanta as thousands watched from below. From spotting Stone Mountain to scaring onlookers and surviving a rough landing, their journey was equal parts spectacle and wonder. Through Hape’s own words, we glimpse how life-changing it was to see Atlanta from above for the very first time. Want to support this podcast? Visit here Email: thevictorialemos@gmail.com Facebook | Instagram

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The First Hot Air Balloon Ride is an episode from Archive Atlanta by Victoria Lemos.

This episode is 5:23 long.

This episode was published on Jan 2, 2026.

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