Historic Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta, Georgia

 

I love cemeteries.  When Gina asked if I was interested in visiting Historic Oakland Cemetery, my answer was an emphatic, "Yes!"

  

 

 

 Eric, me, Gina, & Jim

 

 

 

In 1850 Atlanta purchased six acres of land to be used as a cemetery and named it Atlanta Graveyard.   It was renamed Oakland Cemetery in 1872 and expanded to forty-eight acres.  Locals enjoyed carriage rides and picnics here among the carefully tended family plots.

I took many pictures and am sharing just a few today.

The Bell Tower Building

 

Anne Cox Chambers' grave is

tastefully maintained.

 

 

The Swift Burkhardt Mausoleum

is open for the Illumine 2024

Program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A table & chairs is set up

in the center of the 

Mausoleum.

 

Tealights add to the 

dignified setting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cemetery is hilly.

Margaret Mitchell, author of

Gone with the Wind is buried

here with her husband, John

Robert March &  her parents, 

Eugene Muse Mitchell &

Maybelle Stevens Mitchell.

 

 

 

 This is the Goodknow Family Plot

 

 

The Grant Mausoleum

has a pyramid roof.

.

 

This Angel was chosen to

 remember a little boy.

Some graves have 

full length covers.

This grave has an Urn draped

with a Shroud.

The Austell, Kennedy, Thornton

Mausoleum is grand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mary Glover Thurman's

monument 

Jim & Eric sit & chat for a bit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ira Goldberg

July 27, 1947 -  December 8, 2019

His Love and Kindness

Still Live

Our Beloved Husband,

Father, Son, Brother

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We see Hebrew carved into 

the Monuments.

 

This is the Jewish Section

of the Cemetery. 

 

 

 

 

Confederate Soldiers are

buried here.

 

 

 

 

 An open field...

 

There are many unmarked

graves in Potters Field.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oakland Cemetery is a quiet place to walk, explore, and learn about Atlanta's history.

Lunch @ Thumbs Up Diner in Atlanta, Georgia

Thumbs Up Diner

Eat Breakfast all day here.

 

Daily Specials

It's always busy here.

 

Eric's Fried Chicken Salad

with Ranch Dressing.

I chose the Grilled Chicken Salad

with Balsamic Dressing.

Jim and Gina know where to go for Good Eats.  Our Salads delicious.  The Sweet Potato Fries were perfect!

The Ponce City Market Place & Atlanta's Beltline

 

 

 

 Ponce City Market is located in

the Old Sears & Roebuck Store

& Distribution Center.

 

 

 

 

This land has always been an important place for Atlantans.  In the mid 1800s the Atlanta Street Railway brought visitors Ponce de Leon Springs to enjoy nature and rest.  In 1903 Ponce de Leon Amusement Park was built and drew crowds from around the region.  Adjacent land was drained to create Ponce de Leon Baseball Park in 1907.  Sears and Roebuck built its Store and Distribution Docks here in 1925, next to the Railroad Tracks.  In 1991 the City of Atlanta bought the property for Government Offices.  

Atlanta is always re-imagining itself and The City Offices "morphed into" Ponce de Leon Market.  Tenants arrived and this Commercial Hub is "humming..."

 

 

 

 

King of Pops serves

Handcrafted Popsicles,

Cocktails & Food

 

Rye 51 & Q Clothier

 

 This Mass Timber Sculpture

Experience its Seedling to

Resource Story while you

sit & spin...

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy drinks & conversation

at The Atrium Lounge.

 

 

 

 

 

  Williams Sonoma

 

 

 

One of the Electrical Panels

that powered the Sears

Building in 1926.

 

 

Looking down from the

Second Floor.

 

 

 

 

no mad by souk bohemian

a pop up of the culturally curious

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A scale model of Ponce

 City Market

 

 

Walking on a former

Loading Dock

 

I walk down a set of stairs to Atlanta's Beltline to take a picture.

Nan-tsi?: Bear Effigy Vessel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Railway that carried

merchandise to Sears'

Loading Dock. 

 

no mad by souk bohemian

culturally curious

Ford Factory Lofts are available

to lease, bringing more people

to The Beltline & Ponce City

Market. 

 

The Green Book Exhibit @ The Jimmy Carter Presidential Museum in Atlanta, Georgia

 

 

 

 

 The Carter Center includes

The Jimmy Carter Presidential

Museum & Library.

 

 

The Museum is hosting The Negro Motorist Green Book Exhibit.  

The 2018 film,The Green Book introduced Americans to the planning and the obstacles that Black Americans experienced while traveling by car in early through mid 20th Century.

Since The Plessy v Ferguson Supreme Court Decision in 1896, "separate but equal accommodations" for races was established in the Law.  Southern States enforced Jim Crow Laws, segregating services for Blacks in their communities.  Sundown Towns across the country used discriminatory laws and threats of violence to keep minorities out of their communities.   Traveling in the North was complicated by subtle racism.  Many towns, cities, and businesses in the West did not serve Black Customers.  

 

 

 

Victor Green, a New York City 

Postal Worker, inspired by

The Jewish Vacation Guide,

started compiling lists of

service for Black Travelers.

 

 

  

 

He published The Negro Motorist

Green-Book in 1937.

It was printed from 1937 - 1967.

The Guide included Hotels, Motels, Restaurants, Esso Gas Stations, Outdoor Attractions, Entertainment Venues, etc. 

Everyone had one...

And you always kept it in the car.

 

In 1934 Esso hired James A. Jackson, a

Black man, to research the role & impact

of African American Consumers.

 

 

 

 

 

Based on Jackson's research, Esso Gas Stations welcomed Black Travelers, and started distributing The Green Book in 1949.

The Harlem Neighborhood in New York City was a haven for Black Americans.  Its vibrant Arts Scene, Clubs, and Black owned businesses welcomed Tourists.

Smalls Paradise

The Savoy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Mementos from The Savoy

& Smalls Paradise

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spending a day at the Beach, safely...

Carrs & Sparrows Beaches in

Maryland

Atlantic Beach in Myrtle Beach,

South Carolina was described as

"a kicking place."

Idlewild Resort in

 Northwestern Michigan

hosted many families.

 

 

 

Alberta's Hotel & Snack Shop

in Springfield, Missouri was

a welcome sight for weary

drivers.

Half of the Counties along Route 66 were Sundown Communities, making this multi-day drive more risky than other regions of America.  Many Western States did not have Anti Jim Crow Laws that ensured equal treatment of minority visitors.

 

The 1963-64 Edition included a special “Your Rights, Briefly Speaking” feature that listed state statutes related to discrimination in travel accommodations. “The Negro is only demanding what everyone else wants,” the article stressed, “what is guaranteed all citizens by the Constitution of the United States.”

Jack's Basket Room, owned by

 Jack Jackson, the first Black

Heavyweight Boxing Champion,

served up lots of good food &

hosted Jazz Musicians.

Los Angeles, California

 

 

 

 

 

Murray's Dude Ranch in

Apple Valley, California 

had a Pool, Tennis Courts,

& Riding Stables.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There's a lot more to learn at The Green Book Exhibit.  Click on this link to learn more.  

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 ended discrimination in public spaces.  As businesses came into compliance with this sweeping new Law, The Green Book became what Victor Green always hoped it would be...  an unneeded Travel Guide.