Sweet Auburn in Atlanta in Fulton County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Prince Hall Masonic Building

332-334 Auburn Avenue

— Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site —

Prince Hall Masonic Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 20, 2021

1. Prince Hall Masonic Building Marker

Inscription. For many years influential voices in Atlanta's black community emanated from this building. Here as grand master of the Prince Hall Masons and unofficial mayor of Sweet Auburn, John Wesley Dobbs devoted countless hours to local civil rights causes and neighborhood improvements. From its studios here, WERD, the first black-owned radio station in the United States, broadcast music and news for the community. And here in his Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) headquarters, Martin Luther King, Jr., developed civil rights campaigns with Ralph Abernathy, Andrew Young, and other leaders.

Dr. King had his offices right under the radio station. … I'd let the mike out the window to the first floor, and Dr. King would bring the mike in his window and make [a] speech. … — WERD staffer

Captions: John Wesley Dobbs (upper left), WERD staff and guests, Martin Luther King, Jr. (far right)

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Communications.

Location. 33° 45.336′ N, 84° 22.607′ W.

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Marker is in Atlanta, Georgia, in Fulton County. It is in Sweet Auburn. It is at the intersection of Auburn Avenue NE and Hilliard Street NE, on the right when traveling west on Auburn Avenue NE. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 334 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta GA 30303, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Religious and Fraternal Institutions (here, next to this marker); Alice Dugged Cary (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Auburn Avenue Branch (a few steps from this marker); Wheat Street Baptist Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dobbs Plaza

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 20, 2021

2. Prince Hall Masonic Building Marker

(about 300 feet away); Soul Food Row (about 300 feet away); Haugabrooks Funeral Home (about 300 feet away); Cox Brothers Funeral (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlanta.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Auburn Avenue Branch, Carnegie Library (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Regarding Prince Hall Masonic Building. A $10.2 million project to renovate and redevelop the building is planned. It calls for renovating the building into approximately 16,000 square feet of multi-use space. The basement and first floor would be leased to the National Park Service for an educational and interpretive exhibit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s office there, while the second floor and Hilliard Street storefronts would be leased to local small businesses and nonprofits. The Masons would continue to use part of the second floor and all of the third floor for their activities. A timetable has not yet been set for the project.

Also see . . . Prince Hall Masonic Temple (Atlanta, Georgia). Wikipedia entry:
Links to Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 20, 2021

3. Prince Hall Masonic Building Marker

This neon sign, one of the building's most notable features, would be restored as part of a proposed $10.2 million renovation of the building.

Nomination Form (Submitted on May 6, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 790 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 21, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2, 3. submitted on November 22, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.