Dobbs Plaza

Dobbs Plaza celebrates the life of civic and fraternal leader John Wesley Dobbs, often called “the mayor” of Auburn Avenue. The design of the plaza symbolically links elements of African history with the history of African Americans as reflected in the achievements of Dobbs and the “Sweet Auburn” community., The plaza's surfaces incorporate patterns and motifs associated with the African weaving craft of Adinkra. The stone wall recalls the ancient walls of Great Zimbabwe, where the African tradition of masonry flourished. The water symbolizes the power that individuals can have if they work together; the water begins from a small source, and then swells as it nears the fountain pool, which represents the future. The plaza's stairway features 33 steps, representing the 33 steps that Dobbs took to become a Grand Mason., Caption: “Undated portrait of John Wesley Dobbs,” John Wesley Dobbs Family Papers, Box 11, Folder 9, Amistad Research Center, New Orleans, Louisiana.