Tag Archives: Fulton County

Black History, Cemeteries, Churches and Temples, National Register of Historic Places, Symbolism, Vernacular Headstones

New Hope AME Church and Cemetery-Atlanta, Georgia

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Located in Buckhead, the New Hope AME church is an anomaly compared to the exclusive homes that run along Arden Road. The vernacular church resembles many Black churches in rural Georgia with the central gable and tower. The church was founded in 1869 by newly freedmen and women. James H. Smith, a white Buckhead farmer, donated three acres of land to the congregation to build a church and a school.

The original church building was destroyed by fire in 1927. The current building consists of a 1928 basement and a 1936 sanctuary.

The school burned in 1942.

The cemetery’s earliest burial is 1889. Since the cemetery photos were taken, the cemetery has been restored.

Cliff Nelms (d. 1967)-This is an unusual marker that I believe is handmade.
James R. R. Maddox (1850-1913)-The overlapping Vs likely represent a Masonic organization.
Albert Daniel (1887-1904)
Ada Newton-One of the handmade markers by artist Eldrin Bailey

-Georgia, Houses

Wystaria Hall-Atlanta, Georgia

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Built sometime between 1900-1910 based on census records, Wystaria Hall was the home for V. P. and Leila Sisson and is located in Kirkwood. There is no explanation as to why it was spelled as “wystaria” and not “wysteria.”

-Georgia, Houses, National Register of Historic Places

Gillette Mansion-Atlanta, Georgia

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Built in 1892 for A. G. Gillette, this Queen Anne was the first home in Adair Park.

-Georgia, Black History, Cemeteries

Funeral Cortège-Atlanta, Georgia

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I was stopped in a funeral processional when I realized the casket was being pulled by a horse drawn carriage. It was beautiful to witness. This is a screenshot from a short video that I took. I don’t normally process in black and white, but I liked the contrast of the horse and carriage with the driver. This was near South-view Cemetery.

-Georgia, Cemeteries, Vernacular Headstones

Pet Haven Memorial Park-Atlanta, Georgia

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Located next to Proctor Creek and off of Atlanta Road, the Pet Haven Memorial Park is one of a small handful pet cemeteries in the greater Atlanta area. There are two sections. The oldest section is next to the creek. The area drains poorly, so it is largely in disarray. When I visited, it had been recently mowed. The newer section lies directly in front of the entrance. It’s better kept.

The cemetery seems to have had two active time periods. The first thirty years and the last ten years have significantly more markers. Unless they were unmarked, there seems to be plenty of burial spots still available.

-Georgia, Cemeteries

Clyde King House-Atlanta, Georgia

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If you’ve visited the King Plow Arts Center, you have visited the site of the company that Clyde King owned. Initially, it was known as the the Atlanta Plow Company, but later the name was changed to the King Plow Company in 1928.

Clyde and his wife, Clara Belle, lived in a brick home at 1010 Ponce de Leon Avenue. Clara loved that house so much that she wanted to be buried in the backyard. Clyde commissioned a monument that replicates the home, so the Kings would be near the home forever. Their final resting place at Oakland Cemetery is adorned with this monument.

Alpha Delta Pi sorority now use the King house for their national headquarters.