DuPre Excelsior Mill facts for kids
The Masquerade, January 2006
|
|
| Former names | Du Pree Manufacturing Company Excelsior Factory, Standard Excelsior Works |
|---|---|
| Location | 695 North Avenue Atlanta, Georgia 30318 |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1890 (or 1895 or 1905) |
The DuPre Excelsior Mill is a historic building in Atlanta, Georgia. It's located at 695 North Avenue. The mill might have been built around 1890 by the DuPre Manufacturing Company. For a while, it was known as the "Du Pree Manufacturing Company Excelsior Factory."
Even though it might have been built in 1890, the mill doesn't show up on Atlanta maps from 1892 or 1899. The first clear record of the mill is from 1911. A special fire insurance map from that year shows the factory. Back then, it was heated by steam and had its own water well. A watchman checked the building regularly.
Contents
What Was Excelsior?
The DuPre Excelsior Mill was a factory that made "excelsior." Excelsior is a material made from wood shavings. It was often used as a soft stuffing for furniture, like chairs and couches. It was also used for packing delicate items to keep them safe during shipping.
Changes Over Time
Mill's Expansion and Decline
After the Great Depression, in the late 1930s and early 1940s, the mill grew bigger. However, after World War II, people didn't need excelsior as much. New materials like foam rubber became popular for stuffing. By the 1960s, there was almost no demand for excelsior. The mill then became more of a storage building than a busy factory. By 1977, most excelsior mills in Atlanta had closed down.
From Mill to Entertainment Spot
In the late 1970s, the old mill building got a new life. It was turned into a pizzeria and a place for fun events. This new spot was called the Excelsior Mill. It hosted many different activities, from movies to live bands and even plays. It was also known for having a large pipe organ and for being a home to blues musician Willie "Piano Red" Perryman. The pizzeria and entertainment venue stayed open until 1989.
The Masquerade Era
In September 1989, the Excelsior Mill closed for a short time. It then reopened as The Masquerade. This became a very famous nightclub and concert venue in Atlanta. Many bands played there, and it was a popular spot for music fans.
Moving On: A New Chapter
Historic Protection and Redevelopment
The owner of the DuPre Excelsior Mill property decided to sell it. The land was planned for a new development called North + Line. This project would include different types of buildings. People in Atlanta, especially those who wanted to save old buildings, worked hard to protect the original mill structures. They succeeded, and the historic buildings will now be part of the new development, possibly as a restaurant.
The Masquerade's New Homes
The Masquerade announced in 2016 that it would move to a new location in the Blandtown area of West Midtown. However, this plan faced some challenges. Eventually, a temporary deal was made for The Masquerade to move to Kenny's Alley, which is part of Underground Atlanta. The last concert at the historic mill location was in November 2016.
Partial Collapse During Construction
On December 27, 2019, news reports shared that the historic DuPre Excelsior Mill building had partly collapsed. This happened while construction work was underway for the new development.
Images for kids
-
A concert at The Masquerade when it was located at the DuPre Mill
-
DuPree Mfrg. Co. Excelsior Factory on a 1911 Sanborn fire map
33°46′15″N 84°21′53″W / 33.77083°N 84.36472°W
- Atlanta Constitution, 17 July 1899 Official Website: http://www.masqueradeatlanta.com/
