Atlanta Historic Sites
Coretta Scott King interviewed by Tavis Smiley in Old Ebenezer Baptist Church; (c) Soul Of America
Atlanta has a plethora of black historic sites, including some that predate the rise and influence of Martin Luther King Jr. They are a significant reason many African Americans consider this city in the Deep South to be the “Black Mecca.”
Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Change
DESCRIPTION: This National Historic Landmark is the most photographed site in Atlanta. When observing the dual tomb set amidst a reflecting pool, you reflect upon the historic and inspirational lives of Dr. Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King. Dr. King, who died in 1968, was buried in a typical cemetery until his body was re-interred here under a single tomb in 1977. In 2006, Coretta was interred beside her husband, making a dual-tomb necessary. An exposed hall surrounding the pool depicts interesting aspects of the lives of Martin and Coretta. The Center for Non-Violent Social Change complex includes Freedom Hall, which contains over 2 million documents and personal artifacts of the King Family. The center has an ongoing mission to manage non-violence programs for kindergarten through graduate school and seminars to lead youths away from gangs.
ADDRESS: 449 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, GA
PHONE: 404-524-1956
WEBSITE: http://www.thekingcenter.org
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birth Home
DESCRIPTION: A National Historic Landmark; born here on 15 January 1929, Martin Luther King, Jr. spent the first 12 years of his life in this house. Sign up for a guided tour at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Visitor Center down the street
DAYS & HOURS: daily 10a-5p
ADDRESS: 501 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, GA
PHONE: 404-331-3920
MLK Birth Home on Auburn Avenue; (c) Soul Of America
Atlanta Life Insurance
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1905 by Alonzo F. Herndon in the glory years of the sweet Auburn district, ranked by Black Enterprise as the 2nd largest African American insurance company. Atlanta Life Insurance Art Gallery features over 300 original works of art by African American artists, and the company is also known for hosting a national African American art competition.
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 9a-5p
ADDRESS: 100 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, GA
PHONE: 404-659-2100
WEBSITE: http://www.atlantalife.com
100 Black Men of America Office
DESCRIPTION: National headquarters for this honorable organization of positive deeds to uplift Black America.
ADDRESS: 141 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, GA
PHONE: 404-659-2100
WEBSITE: http://www.100blackmen.org
Citizens Trust Bank
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1921, this bank is the nation’s 4th largest bank on the 2001 Black Enterprise listing; it should be acknowledged for its foresight in acquiring other banks to spur faster growth and broaden customer services.
ADDRESS: 75 Piedmont Avenue, Atlanta, GA
PHONE: 404-659-5959
Atlanta Daily World
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1928 by W.A. Scott is Atlanta’s oldest African American newspaper, it represents conservative views in the community and is published twice weekly.
ADDRESS: 145 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, GA
PHONE: 404-659-1110
WEBSITE: http://atlantadailyworld.com
Atlanta Voice
DESCRIPTION: A Black weekly newspaper founded in the city center.
ADDRESS: 633 Pryor Street, Atlanta, GA
PHONE: 404-524-6426
WEBSITE: http://theatlantavoice.com
Atlanta Tribune
DESCRIPTION: Black monthly news magazine and website.
ADDRESS: 875 Roswell Road, C-10, Roswell, GA
WEBSITE: http://www.atlantatribune.com
Former Atlanta Life Insurance HQ, now part of Georgia State University; (c) Soul Of America
Rucker Building
DESCRIPTION: Atlanta’s first African American office building was constructed in 1904, constructed by businessman and politician Henry A Rucker; artists have moved into the facility
ADDRESS: 158-160 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, GA
Odd Fellows Building
DESCRIPTION: This historic building was home to many Black businesses in the early days of Sweet Auburn. Today, there are several small businesses returning.
ADDRESS: 228-250 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, GA
Herndon Building
DESCRIPTION: Built in 1931 by Alonzo F. Herndon, it was home to as 121 African American businesses and 39 professionals during the Depression era and extending into the 1950s.
ADDRESS: 231-245 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, GA
Butler Street YMCA
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1894 in the basement of Wheat Street Baptist Church, a local activist group met at this location before 1920 when the original YMCA building was erected for and by African Americans. The new YMCA is across the street.
ADDRESS: 20-24 Butler Street, Atlanta, GA
PHONE: YMCA 404-659-8085
Prince Hall Masons Grand Lodge
DESCRIPTION: Built 1941 by Atlanta’s Black Masonic lodge, which was headed by John Wesley Dobbs at the time; it was also the former home of WERD – nation’s first African American radio station, founded in the 1920s; most recently it serves as the national headquarters of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference founded by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Women’s SCLC is next door.
ADDRESS: 334 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, GA
PHONE: 404-522-1420
The historic Auburn Avenue Fire Station #6; (c) Soul Of America
Fire Station #6 Museum
DESCRIPTION: Built in 1894, this fire station served the first in Sweet Auburn until 1991. Learn about the desegregation of the Atlanta Fire Department and view a 1927 American LaFrance fire engine at the museum. Although it closed in 1991, it reopened in 1996 as a museum managed by the National Park Service.
DAYS & HOURS: daily 10a-5p
ADDRESS: Boulevard at Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, GA
PHONE: 404-331-6922
Old Ebenezer Baptist Church
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1886; Rev Dr Martin Luther King, Jr was co-pastor from 1960-1968; Dr King co-pastored this church with his dad, Rev. Martin King, Sr, who was sole pastor until 1975. It is now a National Historic Landmark managed by the National Park Service.
ADDRESS: 407 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, GA
PHONE: 404-688-7263
Herndon Home
DESCRIPTION: This magnificent home was designed by Alonzo F Herndon (1858-1927), a Black craftsman built this mansion 1910. He went from slave to Georgia’s leading barber to founder of the Atlanta Life Insurance Company.
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Sat 10-4p
ADDRESS: 587 University Place, Atlanta, GA
PHONE: 404-581-9813
Paschal’s Original Hotel & Restaurant Site
DESCRIPTION: A historically Black hotel that served Civil Rights leaders, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and several US Presidents for over 50 years; has been a famous restaurant as well; adapted for re-use as a dormitory by Clark-Atlanta University.
ADDRESS: 830 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, SW, Atlanta, GA
H.J. Russel Company
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1952 by Herman J. Russell. It is the nation’s largest African-American construction firm, per Black Enterprise magazine. Major projects built include Peachtree Center, City Hall expansion, Olympic Stadium, and ATL Airport expansion.
ADDRESS: 504 Fair Street, Atlanta, GA
PHONE: 404-330-1000
WEBSITE: http://www.hjrussell.com
SCLC Headquarters on Auburn Avenue; (c) Soul Of America
Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)
DESCRIPTION: A nonsectarian American agency in Atlanta, Georgia, established by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and other civil rights activists. They coordinated and assisted local organizations working for the full equality of African Americans. On 10 January 1957, following the Montgomery Bus Boycott victory against the white establishment, Dr. King consulted with Bayard Rustin, Ella Baker, and other civil rights leaders, then invited about 60 black ministers and leaders to Ebenezer Church in Atlanta. Ultimately, they settled at this Sweet Auburn location and helped plan the 1963 March on Washington. The building has since been updated.
ADDRESS: 320 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, GA
WEBSITE: https://nationalsclc.org
Booker T. Washington High School
DESCRIPTION: Opened in 1924 and named for the great Booker T. Washington (1856-1915), it was the first Black public high school built in Atlanta. It has produced Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Romae T. Powell, a judge. Dr. Asa Yancy, a surgeon, and many other outstanding graduates, remained the only Black high school in the city until 1947. A Booker T. Washington Monument was added to the front in 1927. Though listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the school is in use, so it’s not open for tours.
ADDRESS: 45 Whitehouse Drive, Atlanta, GA
Oakland Cemetery
DESCRIPTION: The cemetery debuted “African American Voices” — the first cell phone tour for the cemetery, featuring 12 narrative presentations of families interred in the cemetery’s historic “Colored” section. Along with the cell phone tour, there are 3 story panels in the African American section and the original “Slave Square” that tell the story of African Americans and race relations in Atlanta.
DAYS & HOURS: 25-minute tour Mon-Fri 9a-4p, Sat-Sun 9a-Dusk
ADDRESS: 248 Oakland Avenue, SE, Atlanta, GA
WEBSITE: http://www.oaklandcemetery.com
Smith Plantation
DESCRIPTION: An antebellum home built in 1845 by enslaved people. Restored buildings include a cook house, carriage house, springhouse, barn, and slave cabin. It was home to 3 generations of the Smith Family. Group tours are available.
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri tours at 11a & 2p, Sat tours at 11a, 12a & 1p
ADDRESS: 935 Alpharetta Street, Roswell, GA
PHONE: 770-641-3978
Upscale Magazine
DESCRIPTION: Celebrates the best life has to offer African Americans each month, founded by Bernard Bronner.
ADDRESS: 2141 Powers Ferry Road, Marietta, GA
PHONE: 800-UPSCALE
WEBSITE: http://www.upscalemagazine.com