South Downtown in Atlanta in Fulton County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Haralson Bleckley, 1870-1933
"The man who had the vision"
Photographed by Dave W, September 2, 2022
1. Haralson Bleckley, 1870-1933 Marker
In 1909, architect Haralson Bleckley, proposed the construction of a community center plaza across from the west side of the state capitol as part of a city beautification and development plan. The concept was revived unsuccessfully several times for nearly a century until 2008 when the Georgia Building Authority proposed building a civic plaza on the east side of the capitol. The plan was approved by the GBA board in 2013 and funded through the proceeds from the sale of surplus property. Liberty Plaza was dedicated by Governor Nathan Deal on January 16, 2015.
Excerpt from Haralson Bleckleys obituary:
"...Mr. Bleckleys most cherished dreams were a plaza across the railway tracks in the midtown business district and a civic center in the area of the County Courthouse and the capitol.
With no thought of personal gain but from pure patriotism and a love of doing beautiful things, he spent years in evolving and embellishing these plans.
Some day they will be carried out, if Atlanta is true to her higher needs and her better self; for they are the vision of one who saw the ideal in terms of the real and clearly pointed the way to its achievement."
Erected by State of Georgia.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work
this page online
Location. 33° 44.922′ N, 84° 23.24′ W. Marker is in Atlanta, Georgia, in Fulton County. It is in South Downtown. It is on Capitol Avenue Southeast. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 262 Capitol Ave SE, Atlanta GA 30334, 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 the North Atlantic Region, 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: Pledge of Allegiance (here, next to this marker); The Star-Spangled Banner (a few steps from this marker); The Battle of Kettle Creek (a few steps from this marker); The Great Seal of Georgia (a few steps from this marker); Liberty Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); Statue of Liberty Replica (within shouting distance of this marker); War Woman (within shouting distance of this marker); Expelled Because of Color (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlanta.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 1, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 347 times since then and 47 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on February 1, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
