Tag Archives: Fulton County

-Georgia, Black History

Butler Street YMCA-Atlanta, Georgia

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Designed by the architectural firm Hentz, Reid, and Adler, the Butler Street YMCA was built by prominent Black builder Alexander D. Hamilton, Jr. in 1920. It closed in December 2012.

The 10,000-square-foot building was known as the Black City Hall because of its importance in the Black community. Located on what is now known as Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, the Georgian Revival building holds many of its original features. The building houses 48 dormitory rooms, seven classrooms, a small auditorium, a gymnasium, a swimming pool, shower baths, a café, and restrooms.

-Georgia, Black History, Historic Photos, National Register of Historic Places

Odd Fellows Building and Auditorium-Atlanta, Georgia

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Located in Sweet Auburn, a historic Black neighborhood in Atlanta, this is one of my favorite buildings on Auburn Avenue. The six-story high tower was opened in 1912, and the two-story annex was opened in 1913. It served as the headquarters for the District Grand Lodge No. 18, Jurisdiction of Georgia, of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows in America.

The building had businesses at street level, offices in the tower, and a theater. For a time, it was the only movie theater where Black Atlantans could see movies during segregation. Additionally, the roof of the Annex hosted dances and other socials. Some of the early businesses were The Gate City Drug Store, Curry-Hall Haberdasher, Sportsman Smoke House, and Baileys Royal Theater.

Gate City Drugs opened in 1914. The tile work is still visible.

The building has been documented twice for the Historic American Building Survey. Here are some of the photos that can be found on the Library of Congress’s website.

-Georgia, Black History, National Register of Historic Places, Stores

Madam CJ Walker’s Museum and WERDSTUDIO-Atlanta, Georgia

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Located near the intersection of Auburn Avenue and Hilliard St. NE, the Madam C. J. Walker’s Beauty Shoppe Museum and WERDSTUDIO honor the legacy of the first American self-made millionaire woman, Madam C. J. Walker, and the first Black-owned radio station, WERD.

Walker made her wealth by creating her own haircare and cosmetics line for Black women. There were beauty salons throughout the country that bore her name. Atlanta was one of the locations.

Ricci De Forest, Founder, Owner, and Steward of the Museum

Ricci de Forest, the founder of the museum, is the steward of the space. After he purchased the salon space, he found out that the first Black-owned radio station was above the beauty shop. He married the two spaces together to create a museum celebrating their heritage. If you’re in Atlanta, I highly recommend a visit. Make sure you save time to hear the stories from Ricci.

-Georgia, Houses, National Register of Historic Places

McKay House-College Park, Georgia

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The McKay House was built in 1920. It’s a part of the Woodward Academy campus. The school restored the house in 2013.

-Georgia, Churches and Temples

Victory Community Church-College Park, Georgia

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-Georgia, Black History

Nan’s Restaurant-Atlanta, Georgia

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Nan’s Restaurant was one of the restaurants that was listed in The Green Book for Atlanta. The Green Book was an annual guide created by Victor Hugo Green for Black travelers to use since segregation made travel difficult, and these businesses welcomed the travelers.