fit* I r^tf^ '^ • , the Training Ground.

Here Was a Time ... a Place ... a Man nue neighborhood — Sweet Auburn, as it Like No Other. came to be called — was a rare island of On January 15, 1929, Martin Luther Black economic power, political and so­ King, Jr., was born to a prominent Baptist cial growth, and increasing civil rights family in their home on Auburn Avenue in awareness. . At a time when Jim Crow segregation was The fact that the birth took place on at its strongest, Sweet Auburn had already Auburn Avenue was per­ become a training ground haps one of the most signi­ that produced many of the ficant aspects of the history important Black leaders of the American Civil of the time. Civic leaders. Rights Movement. Religious leaders. Busi­ The young Martin was ness leaders. to develop in an atmos­ In 1929, Sweet Auburn phere unlike any that ex­ was ready to produce its isted anywhere else in the most famous leader world. The Auburn Ave­ of all.

Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birth Home

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. /courtesy of S.C.L.C. On Washington, 1963/courtesy of National Archives 'Shotgun" Row Houses on Auburn Avenue

Forced by the Jim Crow movement and the race riots of 1906 to pull back within legally defined geographic limits, the Black community of Sweet Auburn could look only to itself for its power. It attained a level of economic and social growth that seems, under the circumstances, almost miraculous.

Atlanta Life Home Office Building Now, years after the turbulence, the an­ guish, the victories, and the final tragedy, the neighborhood remains. In many ways, it remains as it was when King grew up here. In this neighborhood, for the first time, there is the opportunity to preserve the en­ vironment that fostered and influenced not only one of history's great leaders but also one of history's great social movements. Far down Auburn from the King birth­ place, almost in the white central business Here then is the world as young Martin district, stood the Insurance Luther King, Jr., found it during the early Company Building, early home of the larg­ years of his life. est Black-controlled stockholder life in­ surance company in America. Just this side of it stood the three story Rucker Building, Atlanta's first Black- owned office building, completed in 1906 by barber and realtor Henry Rucker. Rucker had been appointed Collector of Internal Revenue in by President McKinley in 1897. Along with Rucker, other Black-owned office buildings on and near Auburn Ave­ nue furnished space for professionals and businessmen during the key growth period Rucker Building of Sweet Auburn. The Odd Fellows Build- ing and Auditorium, built in 1913, pro­ vided not only needed office space but something even more valuable — a facility for large meetings — at a time when Blacks were denied the right to rent space in Atlanta's Butler Street Municipal Auditorium. YMCA while youngsters like the youthful Martin Luther King could see for them­ selves the energy and determination of Black leadership. Farther down the avenue stood the Top Hat Club which changed its name in 1950 to the Royal Peacock Club. A cultural center for the community, this club pro­ vided a showcase of local talent as well as an elegant setting for Black performers of national standing. Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Gladys Knight are only a few of the many who per­ formed in Sweet Auburn.

Odd Fellows Building Here in the Odd Fellows Building, along with the businesses, were the Atlanta office of the National Association for the Ad­ vancement of Colored People, the Urban League southern field office, and the home of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. Little wonder, then, that another Auburn institution grew out of the Odd Fellows Building — the Gate City Drug Store, an informal gathering spot owned by Atlanta's first Black pharmacist. Here at the lunch counter, over lunch or coffee, Sweet Auburn's Black businessmen and social leaders could debate their future Prince Hall Masons Building Across the avenue, in the , were the offices of the Atlanta Urban League and the Atlanta School of Social Work. Alonzo Herndon, who de­ signed and constructed the building five years before King was born, had been one of the 29 charter members of the Niagara Movement, the first modern civil rights organization to demand full voting rights for Blacks and immediate abolition of segregation.

Big Bethel A.M.E. Church Alongside the businesses and the civic organizations, there was yet another im­ portant element of life in Sweet Auburn — the churches. For decades, during the Herndon Building darkest days of segregation, they furnished Just off Auburn on Butler Street was the the primary meeting places and training Butler YMCA, which was and is still a key grounds for Black leaders. element in the formation of thousands of The area was home to Big Bethel A.M.E. Auburn area youngsters including Vernon Church, which grew out of the first church Jordan, and Martin Luther for Africans in Atlanta. There was the King, Jr. During the early 1930s citizenship Wheat Street Baptist Church, whose classes were held here by leaders of the pastor, William Holmes Borders, was ac­ NAACP and other groups. Here, when tive during the 1940s voter drives and King was 20, the Atlanta Negro Voters participated in the marches against segre­ League would be formed. And here was gation in the 1950's and 1960s. the home of the famous Hungry Club, an inexpensive luncheon speaker's club that has been host to hundreds of local, na­ tional, and international leaders. Two blocks closer to the King home, on Auburn, was the Prince Hall Masonic Building, constructed in 1937. It housed WERD, the first Black-owned and oper­ ated radio station in the . And, in 1960, it was to become the home of the national office of Dr. King's own Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which had been organized only three years earlier in the Alexander Building. Wheat Street Baptist Church And, finally, there was . Here, the Reverend Alfred Daniel Williams spoke out from his pulpit to set a new and bold direction for his church. He announced that "at (that) moment the church dedicated itself to the advancement of black people and support of every righteous and social movement." The year was 1929. It was the year of the birth of Freedom Hall Complex Rev. Williams' grandson, Martin Luther King, Jr. Under Congressional direction, the Na­ tional Park Service is currently preparing a General Management Plan to guide the de­ velopment and visitor use of the Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site and Preservation District. It includes the Na­ tional Historic Site — the King birthplace and surrounding block, Ebenezer Baptist Church, the Freedom Hall Complex in­ cluding the memorial gravesite, and other structures. It may also include buildings or entire areas of Sweet Auburn and the (Preservation District) depending on the direction chosen for the park. Four alternative directions are sug­ Ebenezer Baptist Church gested. After consideration and comments by all interested groups and individuals, These buildings still stand. They and 300 the NPS will choose one or a combination other historic structures remain as testa­ of alternatives to serve as a basis for the ment to the determination and success of park's General Management Plan. Black Americans under the most trying Regardless of the alternative finally se­ conditions. In many cases, the buildings lected to serve as the basis for the draft still house the dynamic organizations and General Management Plan, several basic institutions that made them famous. They interpretive themes or stories will be ex­ are here now, for the inspiration and educa­ plained for visitors. They are The Life and tion that all Americans can derive from Legacy of Dr. King, Dr. King in the Con­ them.. .the physical and spiritual environ­ text of a Prosperous Black Neighborhood, ment that produced Dr. King and the Civil and The Evolution of the Civil Rights Rights Movement he led. Movement: The Struggle for Equality.

"Auburn is not just a street; it is an institu­ tion with influence and power not only among Georgians but American Negros everywhere. It is the heart of Negro big busi­ ness, a result of Negro cooperation and evi­ dence of Negro possibility. It has an ideal to which it aspires, a code by which it lives and a genius on which it thrives." National Park The "Atlanta Independent", February 1926 Service Ranger with Tour Group The methods used to tell the story will differ, depending on the focus of the particular alternative and whether historic structures directly related to the themes are likely to be available for a first-hand look. The titles given to the four alternatives are an indica­ tion of the proposed emphasis.

Interior of Big Bethel

Architectural Styles Typical of the Preservation District While all of the alternatives center on the educational and inspirational elements of the Historic Site, each has its own special incentives and opportunities. Alternatives 1 and 2, have ample opportunities for new business and construction unrelated to the park. Alternative 3 provides widespread preservation and rehabilitation incentives, in an informative atmosphere that concen­ trates on Dr. King and the Sweet Auburn area. Alternative 4 provides the greatest potential for tourism and related industries. Urban Wall Art of Auburn Avenue Congress also required the preparation Amos Johnson, Verna Parks, Nathan Hoskins 1976 of a development plan for the Preservation District and the area surrounding the park. This plan, called the Advisory Commis­ sion Study, will be prepared under the direction of the park's Advisory Commis­ sion and will set a course for the General Management Plan. It is the intent of Con­ gress and the that the NPS, City of Atlanta, and others work together through these two plans and their implementation to foster the preservation and revitalization of this nationally signifi­ cant neighborhood. The selection of one or a combination of the alternatives will help the City set a direction for the Advisory Commission Study. The Advisory Com­ mission Study will serve as a vehicle for City of Atlanta participation in the Na­ tional Park Service planning process. Through this study, the City has an oppor­ tunity to play a significant role in shaping the future of the park and the surrounding neighborhoods. Comments and opinions on the alterna­ tives are solicited from all interested parties — property owners, tenant residents, social and government organizations, businessmen, community leaders and other individuals and groups with an inter­ est in the future of the area and the park. Comments should be expressed at meet­ ings scheduled for this purpose or may be mailed to: National Park Service 522 Auburn Avenue Atlanta, Georgia 30312 ALTERNATIVE 1

"Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." Key to Map Points of Interest occupied structures, to be sold or leased at the NPS. 1 Birth Home 17 Atlanta Life low rates after rehabilitation. 2 Freedom Hall Complex (Old Home Office) OPPORTUNITIES: 3 Ebenezer Baptist Church 18 Rucker Building The Birth Home would continue to be GOALS: 4 Birth Home Block 19 Our Lady of Lourdes Commercial and business construction 5 Big Bethel A. M. E. Church 20 Municipal Market operated and maintained by the King To focus on the life of Dr. King and 6 Wheat Street Baptist Church 21 Royal Peacock Club Center, with some technical assistance would be totally dependent on private ini­ his involvement in the Civil Rights 7 Butler Street YMCA (Top Hat) tiative, with no assurance of relevance to 8 Odd Fellows Building 22 Henry's Grill from NPS. Movement. & Auditorium 23 Silver Moon Barber Shop Ebenezer Baptist Church would be pre­ the theme of the Historic Site. 9 Prince Hall Masons Building 24 Poro Beauty Shop Little economic revitalization or job STRATEGY: 10 Herndon Building 25 Walden Building served, open to visitors under a coopera­ This alternative would generally be a 11 Alexander Building 26 Mutual Federal Savings tive agreement with NPS. creation could be expected in the immedi­ 12 Fire Station #6 & Loan ate future. continuation of existing conditions, rely­ 13 Municipal Market 27 Haugabrooks Funeral Home The National Park Service would have ing for the most part on the private sector Expansion 28 Wigwam Apartments no involvement in the Preservation Dis­ Costs to the NPS and the City of Atlanta 14 Charles Harper Home 29 Alexander Hamilton Home would be very low. to determine the future course of the 15 Antoine Graves Home 30 Hanley's Funeral Home trict. The commercial and residential neighborhood. 16 "Shotgun" Row Houses 31 Sweet Auburn Festival neighborhoods would be left to private Those buildings would be preserved I ~1 NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE investors, which may result in continued which give a minimum representation I ~1 PRESERVATION DISTRICT deterioration of historic structures, demo­ of Dr. King's life in the community — M^HHHH HISTORIC BUILDINGS OF lition and new construction or rehabili­ Birth Home, Freedom Hall, and Ebenezer INDIVIDUAL SIGNIFICANCE tation and adaptive reuse. Baptist Church. NAWWWWY OTHER HISTORIC BUILDINGS Educational and tourist opportunities While most property on the Birth Home *A_ KING CENTER A*K NATIONAL PARK SERVICE would be limited to those offered by the Block would remain under individual r* VISITOR PROGRAMS W VISITOR PROGRAMS King Center. Most of the story would be ownership and management, NPS may ac­ i^KING CENTER/NATIONAL (?) NPS INFORMATION told through exhibits and audio-visual pre­ Q& PARK SERVICE w FACILITY quire and rehabilitate a few tenant- VISITOR PROGRAMS sentations, with technical assistance by ALTERNATIVE 2

"Dr. King as a Leader" the King Center (if agreeable) and continue Center would contain exhibits and other park under this alternative the NPS would preservation and visitor use. presentations on the park themes. not have a role in this area. GOALS: NPS would acquire a historic building NPS would provide facade rehabilita­ OPPORTUNITIES: To focus on the life of Dr. King and his near and Edgewood to be used tion grants to owners of historic property Educational and tourism opportunities involvement in the Civil Rights Move­ as a Welcome Center for visitors. The in return for preservation easements. would be somewhat greater than those al­ ment, with preservation of historic struc­ In the Sweet Auburn Preservation Dis­ ready existing. A limited walking tour tures that influenced his development in trict, NPS, City of Atlanta, and others would be possible, taking in key historic the community. would seek to protect several key historic points. structures — Butler Street YMCA, Prince Limited historic preservation would be STRATEGY: Hall Masons, Odd Fellows, Herndon, possible in the Sweet Auburn area, with The King Center would maintain the Alexander, and others (see map). NPS some grants available to existing property Freedom Hall complex as a center for ex­ would open a Park Information Office in owners under certain conditions. hibits and presentations, with NPS techni­ one of the historic structures fronting on cal assistance. Auburn. The City would be encouraged to NPS costs would be low to moderate. NPS would cooperate with Ebenezer expand current operations of the Munici­ Baptist Church in preservation and sched­ pal Market, incorporating the historic uled visitor use. Herndon Building. NPS would seek to maintain and reha­ Old Fourth Ward residents would be eli­ bilitate the historic residential character of gible to receive financial / technical assis­ the Birth Home Block through acquisition tance through the Housing Code Assis­ and lease of rental units. NPS would also tance Program or other means. Because it seek acquisition of the Birth Home from The Mall, Washington, D.C., 1963/courtesy of National Archives would not contribute to the theme of the "Dr. King and the Civil Rights STRATEGY: NPS, the City of Atlanta, and a com­ OPPORTUNITIES: King Center would continue to tell the munity-based development corporation, The entire Sweet Auburn area would be­ Movement As Seen In Sweet King story in exhibits at Freedom Hall, would cooperate to aid in protecting all come a potential educational and inspira­ Auburn" with assistance by NPS. historic structures. tional experience, through walking tours, NPS Welcome Center on Edgewood The city would be encouraged to estab­ exhibits, and presentations — not only at Freedom Hall and the Birth Home, but at GOALS: Avenue would contain exhibits and pro­ lish a business and technology center to aid grams on Dr. King and the Civil Rights existing and new businesses in the area. In various historic structures within the area To focus on the life and work of Dr. King and at the NPS Welcome Center and Sweet within the context of a broader struggle Movement. addition, the City would expand the area NPS would lease space in a historic and the scope of goods offered at the Auburn History Center. for equality as seen in the Sweet Auburn New and existing businesses may receive community. building on the western end of Auburn Municipal Market. Avenue, for a Sweet Auburn History New construction would be permitted financial and technical aid. To express the influence of the Sweet Owners of historic buildings would be Auburn experience on Dr. King and the Center, with exhibits telling the story of the only on vacant land and in place of non- community and its influence on Dr. King. historic structures. eligible for facade rehabilitation grants in . return for preservation easements. Development of the park would focus NPS would assist the King Center in pre­ For Sweet Auburn and Old Fourth Ward on an attempt to recreate the lively and servation of the Birth Home and the residences, the City of Atlanta and NPS Financial aid and low-cost loans may be varied spirit of the entire historic com­ Ebenezer Baptist Church in preservation of would provide financial and technical as­ available for rehabilitation through the munity as it was when Dr. King was grow­ that structure. sistance and facade rehabilitation grants. community-based development corpor­ ing up. A mix of building uses would be en­ NPS would acquire and rehabilitate A community-based development corp­ ation and the City of Atlanta. couraged including social service organiza­ tenant-occupied structures on the Birth oration would work with the City in The area would be considerably more tions, community businesses and visitor Home Block, leasing them back at low developing strategies for compatible new attractive to visitors, from school children services. rates to community residents. construction and rehabilitation. to visiting conventioneers and tourists.

ALTERNATIVE 3 terpretation activities in the National Sweet Auburn Festival incorporating the NPS would open and staff a Sweet "Dr. King and the Historic Site. The NPS would establish an Herndon Building, the Municipal Market, Auburn History Center for visitors. Civil Rights Movement" information center on Edgewood. the area under the expanded downtown In addition to preservation activities, a NPS would lease the Birth Home and connector, and additional space on that community-based development corpora­ GOALS: take responsibility for operation. NPS block could be developed. tion could participate in new construction To expand the theme to cover the na­ would acquire tenant-occupied Birth The Festival would include shopping ventures. tional struggle for equality, through the life Home Block homes for rehabilitation and and attractions relating to the heritage, OPPORTUNITIES: of Dr. King and the evolution and after­ low-cost rental to current tenants. culture, art, food and crafts of the Sweet This alternative, more than any of the math of the Civil Rights Movement. NPS would cooperate with Ebenezer Auburn community and the South in others, would provide the City of Atlanta To focus not only on Dr. King but other Baptist Church in visitor use and preserva­ general. The famous Royal Peacock Club with a powerful attraction to draw tourists leaders and historic events of the Sweet tion. (or Top Hat) could be revitalized and re­ and conventioneers to the city. Auburn area. To recreate "Life in Sweet NPS, City of Atlanta, and the com­ opened as a showcase for famous as well as Walking tours and exhibits would offer Auburn" as representative of an atmos­ munity-based development corporation developing performers. educational and inspirational messages to phere that produced Civil Rights leaders. would cooperate in protecting historic students and visitors. To develop the park as a major tourist structures on Howell and Hogue Streets The range of attractions in this alter­ attraction for Atlanta, focusing on the and Auburn Avenue. native presents several opportunities to in­ Auburn Avenue corridor. Sweet Auburn would be emphasized as vestors and developers — the Sweet STRATEGY: a locale for history-related attractions such Auburn Festival, as well as other attrac­ as a National Civil Rights Museum, an The Freedom Hall complex would be the tions. Potential for job creation is also Afro-American history museum, and a highest in this alternative. center of Park Service and King Center in­ Gospel Music Hall of Fame. A permanent

ALTERNATIVE 4 Message from the Mayor

CITY OF AT LANTA

ANDREW YOUNG MAYOR

We have been presented with a wonderful opportunity to have a National Historical Park in . The National Park Service has developed several alternative plans for creating a park in the area where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was born and where he worked and served as a minister. The historical significance of his life and movement, and of the entire "Sweet Auburn" Avenue area, is of interest to people all over the world.

I am pleased that our City has this prospect which offers a major economic, educational and cultural attraction anchored on one end by downtown and on the other by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change.

I encourage the people of Atlanta to become involved in moving this project forward and helping to defihe the basic direction of what will be "Atlanta's Downtown National Park."