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

Harper House

535 Auburn Avenue

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

Harper House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 20, 2021

1. Harper House Marker

Inscription. Charles Lincoln Harper, who lived here from 1891 to 1945, worked tirelessly as an educator and civic leader to overturn Atlanta's segregationist policies. As principal of Booker T. Washington High School, which Martin Luther King, Jr., attended, Harper instituted numerous vocational and college-prep courses designed to improve the lives of blacks. He later served as the first executive secretary of the black Georgia Teachers and Education Association and as president of the Atlanta NAACP chapter.

Mr. C.L. Harper was a tremendous principal. … He was always trying to find some activity so that he could meet the needs and challenge active boys and girls. — Pearlie Dove

Captions:
[Top] Charles and Carrie Bell Nichols Harper and their children, Mae Earline and William Nicholas, in the 1920s.
[Bottom] Harper (circled) and members of the Booker T. Washington High School faculty, 1924.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.

Location. 33° 45.325′ N, 84° 22.202′ W. Marker is in Atlanta, Georgia, in Fulton County. It is

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in the Old Fourth Ward. Marker is at the intersection of Auburn Avenue NE and Howell Street NE, on the right when traveling east on Auburn Avenue NE. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 535 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta GA 30312, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Neighborhood Transformed (a few steps from this marker); Nowell Family House (a few steps from this marker); Bryant Preparatory Institute (a few steps from this marker); A Relaxing Atmosphere (within shouting distance of this marker); Bryant-Graves House (within shouting distance of this marker); Neighborhood Pride (within shouting distance of this marker); Apartment House (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.

Regarding Harper House. An Atlanta high school and an elementary school have been named in his honor. There is also a life-size statue of him in an Atlanta city park.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 20, 2021

2. Harper House Marker

Charles Lincoln Harper (1877-1955) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Atlanta Public Schools

3. Charles Lincoln Harper (1877-1955)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 685 times since then and 253 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.