Atlanta was founded in 1837, destroyed during the Civil War and then rose from the ashes to become Georgia’s largest city and number nine in the U. S. History buffs enjoy visiting the MLK Historic Site and the President Carter Museum. But there is something for everyone in, “The City in the Forest.”
This statue of MLK in front of an American flag stands as a proud tribute to the civil rights leader in the Visitor Center of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta. The image makes me reflect because I am writing this caption on the 50th anniversary of his “I have a dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial in front of 250,000 during the March on Washington on August 28, 1963.
450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
Numerous events in Martin Luther King’s life are iconic to American history. Many of them are displayed on a 125 foot memorial mural called “Dreams, Visions and Change” in Atlanta, Georgia. The painting, by Louis Delsarte, shows several famous civil rights leaders and figures. The art is in the Peace Plaza near the MLK Visitors’ Center.
450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
There is an African tradition of lifting a newborn towards the heavens in thanks to God for the gift of life. The ritual is usually accompanied by the father speaking these words, “Behold the only thing greater than yourself.” Coretta Scott King commissioned sculptor Patrick Morelli to capture this moment in bronze as a tribute to her husband. In 1990, the Behold Monument was erected within the King Historic Site. In the background is the Horizon Sanctuary, the new Ebenezer Baptist Church built in 1999. It is located across Auburn Avenue from where MLK served as pastor.
400 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
Three photos of Atlanta, Georgia are: 1) The external sign of the Ebenezer Baptist Church where Martin Luther King was co-pastor until his death in 1968; 2) The church’s pulpit where MLK delivered his first sermon in 1947; and 3) The 125 foot memorial painting by Louis Delsarte called “Dreams, Visions and Change” in the Peace Plaza near the MLK Visitors’ Center.
407 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. Two years later, his remains were moved from Southview Cemetery into a crypt as part of the Martin Luther King Center for Nonviolent Social Change. When Coretta Scott King died in 2006, she was laid to rest in this expanded tomb faced with white marble. The couple’s gravesite is surrounded by a reflection pool and an eternal flame. Also part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Historic District is the former civil rights leader’s boyhood home and the Ebenezer Baptist Church where he preached.
449 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
Georgia had four capital cities before Atlanta where the current state capitol opened in 1889 on five acres. This was 100 years after Georgia became the 4th state on January 2, 1788. The Old City Hall was torn down in 1884 to accommodate the new construction. A half million of its bricks were reused for the capitol’s foundation. The rest of the Classic Renaissance exterior is Indiana oolite limestone. Six Corinthian columns support its four-story portico and a height of 272 feet. Unlike most state capitols, it was completed within three months of the schedule and $118.40 under budget.
206 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA 30334 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
The gold leaf covering the Georgia State Capitol is from Lumpkin County, the site of the first US gold rush that started in 1828. When it was gilded again in 1958, Dahlonega and Lumpkin citizens donated gold from the same era. On top of the dome is a 1,800 pound, 26 foot tall, copper statue. It is informally called Miss Freedom. Her official name is Goddess of Liberty. She carries a sword in one hand and a torch in the other. They both shine brightly in this skyscraper reflection at sunset.
180 Central Ave SW Atlanta, GA 30303 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
The Georgia Department of Agriculture was founded in 1874, making it the oldest in the U. S. The state is proud to be the largest producer of broiler chickens, peanuts, watermelon and pecans. Over 9.5 million acres are devoted to farming operations in Georgia. The Agriculture Building was designed by native son A. Thomas Bradbury. This prolific architect designed several of the government buildings surrounding the state capitol during the mid-1950s.
19 M.L.K. Jr Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30334 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
Terminus became a settlement adjacent to the new Western and Atlantic Railroad line in 1837. Soon afterwards it was called Thraserville and then changed to Marthasville. In 1847, the town was renamed Atlanta to honor the railroad. In addition to four names, it has also had four city halls since 1854. Architect Lloyd Preacher was responsible for the Neo-Gothic design of the current government building. The Atlanta City Hall opened in 1930 and is listed by the U. S. National Register of Historic Places.
68 Mitchell St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
Missionary priests began celebrating mass for railroad workers during the early 1840s. Atlanta’s first Catholic church opened in 1848. The humble wooden structure was spared from the burning of Atlanta in 1864 by General Sherman’s soldiers. The reason: Father O’Reilly had provided medical help to both Union and Confederate troops. After the Civil War, work began on the church’s replacement. The current Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception opened in 1873 based on the Gothic Revival design by Willian Parkins. It is the second oldest building in the city.
48 M.L.K. Jr Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30303 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
In 1932, a large red neon sign for a home-town company was raised in Margaret Mitchell Square in Atlanta. The iconic Coca-Cola trademark soon became a downtown landmark. The sign’s design change over the years until it is removed in 1981. Fortunately, it made a return in 2003 with a retro-style look. Now the 33 foot diameter sign with over 10,000 bulbs is located on the Olympia building.
4 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA 30303 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
According to mythology, the Phoenix dies in a flame and then is reborn from the ashes. This legendary bird is seen in this bronze sculpture lifting a woman from the ashes. The outdoor art symbolizes the near destruction of Atlanta during the Civil War and its subsequent rise to a major city. “Atlanta from the Ashes” was designed by James Siegler and sculpted by Gamba Quirino. The Phoenix is located in Woodruff Park.
34 Peachtree St, Atlanta, GA 30303 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
Atlanta is the 9th largest metropolitan area in the U.S. with over 5.7 million people. It has three commercial districts: Downtown, Midtown and Buckhead. Similar to other top ten cities, the skyline is filled with glass high-rises such as this Centennial Tower built in 1975. But unlike most cities, about one-third of the area is covered with trees. This is why its nickname is, “The City in the Forest.”
101 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
When it opened in 1976, The Westin Peachtree Plaza was not only the tallest building in Atlanta but also the tallest hotel in the world at 73 stories. Although it lost both distinctions, it still is an impressive glass cylinder. On the right is 191 Peachtree Tower. Within a short distance of this clock are the headquarters of CNN, Coca Cola, UPS, AT&T, Delta, Rubbermaid and Home Depot.
127 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30303 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
The CNN Center in Atlanta is the global headquarters of the Turner Broadcasting System. Visitors are wowed by the massive atrium before riding up the largest, freestanding escalator in the world for guided tours of the cable network studios. Near the building’s entrance is their logo in bright red letters where this girl was talking on her cell phone during a break.
100 CNN Center, Atlanta, GA 30303 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
The ancient competition among athletes began in Olympia, Greece in 776 BC. The modern version originated in Athens in 1896. And Atlanta hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics. Also known as the XXVI Olympiad, it was considered to be the Centennial Olympic Games. The three runners emerging from this bronze, fan-shaped sculpture celebrates those three events. This creation of Peter Calaboyias was a gift from Olympia. The 17 by 24 foot sculpture is located at the Atlanta Olympic Park.
Portman Blvd Path & Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
In 1866, pharmacist John Pemberton began experimenting to develop a non-narcotic pain medicine. An early extract featuring the kola nut was named, “Pemberton’s French Wine Cola.” Twenty years later, he worked with an Atlanta drugstore owner Willis Venable to create a fountain drink. Then, Frank Robinson became a partner, called the beverage Coca-Cola and was the driver for the early success. You can enjoy learning what happened during the next 130 years at the World of Coca-Cola. This fascinating museum on 20 acres opened in 2007 near the company’s headquarters.
121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
Part of the World of Coca-Cola experience is walking through the Chamber of the Secret Formula. Here you will find interactive exhibits, including the opportunity to mix flavors together to create your own unique taste. The centerpiece is this enormous vault. Behind that steel door is the real formula to the company’s worldwide achievements, along with other treasures from its past.
121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
After Andrew Carnegie sold his steel company in 1901, he became one of the world’s most generous philanthropists until he died in 1913. About 90% of his wealth was used to further education and build about 3,000 public libraries. One of those libraries was in Atlanta. When it was torn down in 1977, part of the façade was spared to create this Carnegie Education Pavilion. Inscribed on the architrave above the Iconic columns is the phrase, “The Advancement of Learning.” Etched into the floor of the Carnegie Monument are the seals of local colleges and universities.
Carnegie Monument, 289 Old West Peachtree Street Northwest, Atlanta, GA 30308 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
The skyline of Atlanta, Georgia has about 40 skyscrapers above 400 feet. Since 1992, this tower has dwarfed them all at 1,023 feet. It is also the tallest outside of New York City or Chicago. Initially named NationsBank Plaza, the Art Deco office building is now the Bank of America Plaza. On top is a 90 foot spire. The 23 karat gold leaf glistens in the Georgian sunshine.
600 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30308 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
The Jimmy Carter Library and Museum in Atlanta is as modest, serene and refined as the man. Its collection contains 27 million pages of documents and over 500,000 photos. Exhibits trace his life from the peanut fields of Plains, Georgia, through the White House and his subsequent humanitarian efforts. On display is a replica of the Crown of St. Stephan and his 2002 Nobel Peace Prize. In the Oval Office replica is a copy of the Resolute desk where many presidents have sat since Queen Victoria gifted it to President Hayes in 1880.
441 Freedom Pkwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
Look closely at this portrait of Jimmy Carter by Octavio Ocampo. Small, ornate images such as buildings, trucks and flags come together in a “metaphoric style” to create the president. The artwork was a gift from President Portillo of Mexico in 1979. It now hangs in the President Carter Library and Museum in Atlanta, Georgia.
441 Freedom Pkwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions
Chicago TV meteorologist John Coleman developed the concept for The Weather Channel in 1981. He only lasted a year as president before forced out by chief investor Frank Batten, the head of a major media conglomerate called Landmark Communications. The broadcaster’s studios and home office are in Atlanta. Public tours are not available. But their sign makes a good photo-op for fans. The Weather Company is now owned by a consortium of investment firms.
324 Interstate N Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30339 Enlarge/Slideshow See On Map Directions