Grant Park, Atlanta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Grant Park Historic District
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 Location in Atlanta
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| Location | Atlanta, Georgia |
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| Built | 1858 |
| Architect | Olmsted Brothers |
| Architectural style | Bungalow/Craftsman, Italianate, Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000722 |
| Added to NRHP | July 20, 1979 |
Grant Park is the oldest city park in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It is also the name of the Victorian neighborhood that surrounds the park. This area is known for its rich history and beautiful old buildings.
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Exploring Grant Park: A Green Space in Atlanta
Grant Park is a large green area in Atlanta, covering 131 acres. It is the fourth-largest park in the city. Inside the park, you will find Zoo Atlanta. The zoo started in 1889 and was first called the Grant Park Zoo. Today, over 1 million people visit the zoo every year.
The Story of Grant Park: How It Began
Grant Park was created in 1883. A successful engineer and businessman named Lemuel P. Grant gave 100 acres of land to the city of Atlanta. This land was in the new "suburb" where he lived. In 1890, the city bought 44 more acres for the park. They also hired Sidney Root as the first park commissioner. In 1903, the Olmsted Brothers were hired to plan the park's design. They were the sons of famous landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. The original park even had a lake called Lake Abana.
Zoo Atlanta: From Circus Animals to a Big Attraction
Zoo Atlanta began with a failed circus. In 1889, a local lumber merchant named George Gress bought animals from the circus. He then gave them to the city. The city decided Grant Park was the best place for a zoo. They made space for the animals there. Later, as the zoo grew, parts of the original lake were removed.
Historic Landmarks Within the Park
In 1892, a huge circular painting called the Battle of Atlanta was shown in the park. This painting later got its own special building in the park in 1921. Near the zoo, you can also see the Erskine Memorial Fountain. This was Atlanta's first public fountain, built in 1896. It was moved to Grant Park in 1912. In 1948, another important landmark was added. This was the Thomas W. Talbot Monument. It honors Thomas W. Talbot, who founded the International Association of Machinists.
Protecting Grant Park: The Conservancy's Role
By 1996, the park needed a lot of care. The City of Atlanta Parks Bureau asked for a new plan for the park. People from the community helped with this plan. They eventually formed a group called the Grant Park Conservancy. This group works hard to raise money. Their goal is to improve and protect the park for everyone to enjoy.
The Grant Park Neighborhood: A Historic Atlanta Community
The Grant Park neighborhood surrounds the park itself. It is one of Atlanta's oldest and most important historic areas. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The neighborhood is next to Cabbagetown to the north and Ormewood Park to the east. It also borders Boulevard Heights, Chosewood Park, Summerhill, and Peoplestown.
Important Places in the Neighborhood
The neighborhood includes 48 acres of Oakland Cemetery. This cemetery was started in 1850. Many famous people are buried there. These include author Margaret Mitchell and golfer Bobby Jones. Also buried there are 25 former mayors of Atlanta and six former governors of Georgia. Many people who died in the Civil War are also buried here.
You can also find Fort Walker and the Lemuel P. Grant Mansion in the neighborhood. The mansion was built in 1858. It belonged to Lemuel P. Grant, who the park and neighborhood are named after. This mansion is the second-oldest house still standing in its original spot in Atlanta. The Grant Park Neighborhood Association works to represent the people who live here.
Victorian Homes and Unique Architecture
Grant Park has the largest collection of Victorian architecture in Atlanta, along with Inman Park. Most of the buildings were built between 1882 and the early 1900s. Large, two-story mansions face the park. On nearby streets, you can see two-story homes in a modified Queen Anne style. To the east of the park, there are one-story Victorian cottages and Craftsman bungalows.
Community Life and Events
The neighborhood is home to St. Paul United Methodist Church. In the early 1900s, this church had the largest Methodist group in the Southeast. It is still a very active church today. St. Paul is known for its beautiful stained glass windows and a large organ from 1887. Every December, the church, along with the Grant Park Cooperative Preschool and the Grant Park Parent Network, hosts a special Candlelight Tour of Homes and Artist Market. The Grant Park Neighborhood Association also sponsors a Tour of Homes in the autumn.
