Sweet Auburn King Birth Home Fire Station No. 6 Growing Up in Black Atlanta “Auburn Avenue was like a grand lady,” Darktown, sandwiched between Courtland and quent speaker, but a political activist who offices, funeral parlors, a drugstore, library, recalled one journalist. “In her prime she Jackson streets. Business owners and factory actively supported organizations dedicated to and business college—all black-owned or black- was the talk of the town—young, vivacious, workers alike took pride in their surroundings, the education, social advancement, and well- operated. Despite Atlanta’s segregation laws, and beautiful. Everyone loved her, respected putting up houses, office buildings, and places being of African Americans. After Rev. Williams political leader John Wesley Dobbs was inspired of worship in late-Victorian architectural styles. died in 1931, his son-in-law Rev. Martin Luther to call the area “Sweet Auburn.” Years later his her, and wooed her.” King, Sr., took over as Ebenezer’s pastor. But it grandson, Mayor Maynard H. Jackson, added By 1893 white residents, concerned that “Wheat was Rev. Williams’s grandson whose name would that Sweet Auburn had offered African Ameri- Atlanta in the early 20th century was a mosaic Street” was viewed as a black neighborhood, become synonymous with the civil rights move- cans “the three B’s—bucks, ballots, and books!” of communities shaped by the people within petitioned the city council to change the name ment in America. their bounds. Auburn Avenue was the main to Auburn Avenue. The area grew to be a mix- Dr. King never forgot the community spirit he artery through one neighborhood that came to ture of old and young, prominent and plain, On January 15, 1929, Martin Luther King, Jr., was had known as a child. Nor did he forget racial symbolize prosperity for African Americans. and black and white—until the race riot of 1906 born at his grandparents’ home, 501 Auburn prejudice. He returned in 1960 to serve with his revived segregation. Avenue. Young M.L. lived with his grandparents, father as co-pastor of Ebenezer Baptist and to After the Civil War, ex-slaves bought property parents, brother, sister, and other close relatives. head the Southern Christian Leadership Confer- east of the city’s central business district in the In 1909 the Reverend A.D. Williams and his Their neighbors were businessmen, porters, teach- ence. And, as the world mourned on an early low-lying area of Wheat Street and Butler wife purchased a large home on predominately ers, millworkers, clergymen, domestics, and spring day in 1968, it was to Sweet Auburn that Street (now Jesse Hill Jr. Drive). By 1881, Butler black Auburn Avenue. As pastor of Ebenezer laborers. Nearby were banks, insurance compa- the body of Martin Luther King, Jr., was Street was the center of an area known as Baptist Church, Williams was not only an elo- nies, real estate agencies, medical and law brought one last time. North To Carter Center 0 20 100 Meters 75 1.5mi/2.4km 85 10 FREEDOM PARKWAY 0 100 500 Feet Fr eedom Park facilities National Historic Park Trail Site Other building Preservation Cain Street District Boulevard Avenue John Wesley Dobbs Avenue Andrew Young International Boulevard BUS PARKING National Park Service Exit 248D Maintenance Jesse Hill, Jr. Drive Facility John Wesley Dobbs BUS PARKING Entrance and exit David T. Howard School (Historical Archives for Atlanta Public A Schools) T L Exit 248C A Ellis Street Carter Center, N Freedom Parkway T (Ga. 10) A VISITOR PARKING E X P R Irwin Street Irwin Street Irwin Street E S S Courtland Street W Jesse Hill, Jr. Drive A Y Hogue Street Hilliard Street John Wesley Dobbs Avenue John Hope Howell Street National Park Service Elementary School Randolph Street Visitor Center PROMENADE Big Bethel African 450 Auburn Ave. Built 1996. Methodist Episcopal Prince Hall Masonic Martin Luther King Jr. Begin your visit here. Community Center Church Building (City of Atlanta) 220 Auburn Ave. Built 1890s; 332-334 Auburn Ave. Completed 1941. Served as rebuilt 1924. Fort Street Atlanta Life Insurance headquarters for the national Company Building Royal Peacock Club Odd Fellows Building office of the Southern Chris- Martin Luther King Jr. Historic Fire Station 148 Auburn Ave. Completed 184-86 Auburn Ave. Built 1922. and Auditorium tian Leadership Conference. Natatorium (City of Atlanta) No. 6 1920; annex (142 Auburn) built Piedmont Avenue 228-50 Auburn Ave. Ebenezer Baptist Church 39 Boulevard. Built 1894. 1936. Built 1912-14. Old Wheat Street Horizon Sanctuary Peace Plaza Parkview Manor Nursing Home Old Wheat Street Brooks Alley 400 Auburn Ave. Built 1999. Auburn Avenue To downtown Atlanta Auburn Avenue Auburn Avenue Auburn Avenue HISTORIC RESIDENTIAL AREA Butler Street YMCA Wheat Street Baptist Built 1918-20. Eternal Church Flame 365 Auburn Ave. Built 1920-31. Bell Street King Birth Home Atlanta Daily World 75 501 Auburn Ave. Built 1895. Herndon Building 85 Auburn Avenue Building Historic Ebenezer Boulevard Our Lady of Lourdes Research Library 145 Auburn Ave. 231-45 Auburn Ave. Baptist Church Dr. King’s Tomb Catholic Church 101 Auburn Ave. (former Butler Street) Built 1926. Heritage Sanctuary The present tomb location 25 Boulevard. APEX Museum 407-13 Auburn Ave. and the Eternal Flame were The King Center 135 Auburn Ave. 449 Auburn Ave. Founded in Built 1914-22. Jackson Street dedicated in 1977. June 1968 by Coretta Scott Edgewood Avenue Edgewood Avenue Sweet Auburn King and other supporters Coca-Cola Place Curb Market of the Dr. King legacy. 209 Edgewood Ave. Completed 1923. The market is still in Auditorium Place Boaz Street operation. rive Daniel Street es Chamberlain Street ve To 20 , Zoo, Hilliard Street olm and Cyclorama Cooks Alley ont A Tanner Street H . Ezzard Street Jesse Hill, Jr. Drive Exit 248B m Bradley Street Howell St Cornelia Street Borders, Sr. D Sr. Borders, Piedm Edgewood/Auburn Avenue W Planning Your Visit Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site was Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church (Heritage Sanctu- Historic Fire Station No. 6 Built in 1894, this is The King Center Ebenezer Baptist Church Hours of operation The park is open daily except established in 1980 in order to protect and inter- ary) Built 1914-1922. (Nearby Horizon Sanctuary Atlanta’s oldest standing firehouse. The museum for Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1. pret for the benefit, inspiration, and education of was completed in 1999.) Martin Luther King, Jr., that tells the story of desegregation of the city’s fire Winter hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Summer present and future generations the places where and his sister Christine were baptized at this church department. On display is a 1927 La France fire en- hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. All park sites are Martin Luther King, Jr., was born, where he lived, in 1934. Dr. King was ordained into the Baptist gine, the type that young Martin would have seen. self-guiding except the King Birth Home. Ranger- worked, and worshiped, and where he is buried. Ministry here, joining his father as co-pastor from conducted tours of the home are offered year- Park sites include the visitor center, Historic Ebenez- 1960 to 1968. As the first president of the South- The King Birth Home 501 Auburn Avenue, built round. Each tour is limited to 15 people and avail- er Baptist Church, The King Center (Dr. King’s Tomb ern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), Dr. 1895. Martin Luther King, Jr., was born here on able first-come, first-served. To make sure you get and Freedom Hall), Fire Station No. 6, and the Birth King used the church’s meeting space to plan civil January 15, 1929, and lived here until age 12. The on a tour, register early in the day at the visitor Home. Book and gift sales are available at each rights strategies based on the principle of non-vio- house is restored and furnished look like it did in center. site except the Birth Home. lent direct action. the 1930s and 1940s. More Information The Preservation District Surrounding the national Ebenezer was also the scene of tragic episodes. On Getting to the park From I-75/I-85, take exit 248C Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site historic site is the preservation district, which helps April 9, 1968, Dr. King’s funeral was held at Ebe- (Freedom Parkway, Carter Center); turn right onto 450 Auburn Avenue, NE to maintain the historic integrity of Sweet Auburn. nezer. In June 1974 Dr. King’s mother was fatally Boulevard; take immediate second right onto John Atlanta, GA 30312-1525; This is still an active community. Most buildings shot while playing the church organ for Sunday Wesley Dobbs Ave. to bus/visitor parking. From I-20, 404-331-5190 within the national historic site and preservation morning worship. take exit 59A (Boulevard, Cyclorama, Zoo); go north www.nps.gov/malu district are privately owned and are not open to on Boulevard for almost two miles; turn left on John the public. The King Center and Dr. King’s Tomb Dr. King’s Wesley Dobbs Avenue. to parking. Mass transit National Park Service information: www.nps.gov body was moved here from Southview Cemetery in system: At the MARTA Five Points Station, take Bus The National Park Service Visitor Center Begin the early 1970s. The present site was dedicated in No. 3, Auburn Avenue/M.L. King Jr. Drive eastbound your visit here. Ranger will answer questions and 1977. Take some time to reflect at Dr. King’s grave- directly to the park; or take the MARTA East-West provide orientation to the park.