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

Neighborhood Transformed

Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 20, 2021

1. Neighborhood Transformed Marker

Inscription. The houses in front of you symbolize two eras of change in the Sweet Auburn community. Built in the 1890s, these houses were at first homes to both white and black working-class tenants.

But by 1910, this block, like most of Auburn Avenue, was solidly African-American. For the next 50 years, a succession of cooks, laundresses, candy makers, maids, and dress makers made this block their home.

In the late 1970s, the triangle block of houses underwent yet another transformation. The Martin Luther King, Jr., Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Inc., began its initial efforts to restore and preserve the neighborhood of Dr. King's youth here. The King Center funded major rehabilitation of the three houses on this block.

Caption: Virginia Buck and children in the yard at the triangle block.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 33° 45.323′ N, 84° 22.194′ W. Marker is in Atlanta, Georgia, in Fulton County. It is in the Old Fourth Ward. It is at the intersection

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of Auburn Avenue NE and Howell Street NE (south leg), on the right when traveling east on Auburn Avenue NE. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Atlanta GA 30312, 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: Harper House (a few steps from this marker); Nowell Family House (within shouting distance of this marker); Bryant Preparatory Institute (within shouting distance of this marker); A Relaxing Atmosphere (within shouting distance of this marker); Bryant-Graves House (within shouting distance of this marker); Neighborhood Pride (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Apartment House (about

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 20, 2021

2. Neighborhood Transformed Marker

In the background are the houses in the triangle block, so-named because of its shape as defined by Auburn Avenue NE, Howell Street NE and Old Wheat Street NE.

300 feet away); Stepping Up (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlanta.

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 552 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 21, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2. submitted on November 22, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.