Old Fourth Ward in Atlanta in Fulton County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Fire Station No. 6

37-39 Boulevard, N.E.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, June 24, 2015

1. Fire Station No. 6 Marker

Inscription.
As a boy Martin Luther King, Jr., played basketball behind Fire Station No. 6 and watched the white crews go out on calls. He and his friends knew that they could not dream of becoming firefighters because of the city’s segregation laws. Finally, in 1963, 16 blacks were allowed to join the paid force, and, a few years later, Station 6 became the city’s first integrated station.

When I was a kid…Station 6…was like a meeting place for all the kids…It was a place you could go to get information, to get help if you needed it. It was a vital part of the community…Billy Jordan

(captions)
The city’s first black firefighters (above) worked at Station 16 in Southwest Atlanta.
Firefighters muster here at Station 6 in 1928.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work. A significant historical year for this entry is 1963.

Location. 33° 45.323′ N, 84° 22.32′ W. Marker is in Atlanta, Georgia, in Fulton County. It is in the Old Fourth Ward. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Boulevard NE and Auburn Avenue NE, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 474 Auburn Ave, Atlanta GA 30312, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

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markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Training Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); Shotgun Houses (within shouting distance of this marker); Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church (within shouting distance of this marker); The Birthplace (within shouting distance of this marker); The Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Middle-Class Dwelling (within shouting distance of this marker); Birth Home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Stepping Up (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlanta.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker was replaced by the one transcribed above

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, June 24, 2015

2. Fire Station No. 6 Marker

Directly above the marker is a marker from the station's founding that reads, "Station No. 6 erected 1894. Board of Firemasters. John E. Goodwin, Mayor, Jas. M. Stephens, Chairman, Albert Howell, John A. Colvin, Chas. E. Harman, John H. Welch, W.B. Joyner, Chief, Bruce & Morgan, Architects, Wagener & Gore Flor., Contractors"

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, June 24, 2015

3. Fire Station No. 6 Marker

Marker is visible on the corner of the Fire Station.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 476 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 20, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.