Valdosta in Lowndes County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Birth/Early Life

— Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park —

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. Birth/Early Life Marker (front)

Inscription.
(front) Birth Michael Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia on January 15, 1929, to Mrs. Alberta King and Baptist Minister Michael L. King Sr. After visiting Europe in 1934, Michael King Sr. changed both his and his son's name in honor of Martin Luther, the 16th Century church reformer.

(rear) Early Life King spent his early years at 501 Auburn Avenue, about a block from Ebenezer Baptist Church where his father was pastor. Auburn Avenue (Sweet Auburn) was the cultural, commercial, and spiritual center of African American life in Atlanta prior to the civil rights movement. King graduated from Booker T Washington High School in 1944.

Erected 2010 by The Valdosta/Lowndes County Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Committee.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Parks & Recreational Areas • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is January 15, 1929.

Location. 30° 49.61′ N, 83° 16.507′ W. Marker is in Valdosta, Georgia, in Lowndes County. It can be reached from the intersection of East M.L.K. Drive and South Ashley Street, on the right when traveling east. The

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marker is located within Rev Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 E M.L.K Dr, Valdosta GA 31601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Coastal Plain. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Wiregrass.

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: College Education and Spiritual Growth (a few steps from this marker); Civil Rights Movement (a few steps from this marker); Marriage (a few steps from this marker); Legacy (within shouting distance of this marker); Martin Luther King, Jr. Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Old City Hall (approx. 0.3 miles away); Troop Encampment Site (approx. 0.3 miles away); Nationsbank (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Valdosta.

Also see . . .
1. A Dream Fulfilled. (Submitted on October 12, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Submitted on October 12, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Birth/Early Life Marker (rear) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Birth/Early Life Marker (rear)

Birth (front) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

3. Birth (front)

Early Life (rear) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

4. Early Life (rear)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 209 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 12, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.