Sweet Auburn facts for kids
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Sweet Auburn Historic District
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Auburn Avenue, toward the Old Fourth Ward
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 Location in Atlanta
Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
Location in the United States
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| Location | Atlanta, Georgia |
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| Area | 19 acres (7.7 ha) |
| Built | 1865 |
| Architectural style | Late 19th- & 20th-Century Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 76000631 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 8, 1976 |
| Designated NHLD | December 8, 1976 |
The Sweet Auburn Historic District is a special neighborhood in Atlanta, Georgia. It's known for its rich African-American history. The area is located along and around Auburn Avenue, just east of downtown Atlanta.
The name "Sweet Auburn" was first used by John Wesley Dobbs. He called it the "richest Negro street in the world." This was because it had one of the largest collections of African-American businesses in the United States. In 1976, Sweet Auburn was named a National Historic Landmark. This recognized its important history and how it grew despite unfair Jim Crow laws that separated people.
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Where is Sweet Auburn?
Sweet Auburn is one of Atlanta's many neighborhoods. It has clear boundaries that help define it.
- To the north, you'll find Freedom Parkway and the Old Fourth Ward.
- The eastern side is bordered by Boulevard and also the Old Fourth Ward.
- On the south, it's next to the MARTA train line. The Oakland and Grant Park neighborhoods are also there.
- To the west, it meets the Downtown Connector highway and downtown Atlanta.
A Look Back: Sweet Auburn's History
The first settlement in this area was called Shermantown. It grew quickly because it was close to the Georgia Railroad. By 1879, a new road called Boulevard connected it to other parts of the city.
Sweet Auburn became a major Black business district after the 1906 Atlanta Race Riot. Before this, Black-owned businesses were mostly in downtown Atlanta, which was more mixed. But tensions between white and Black workers grew. In 1906, false rumors led to a riot. This event caused many Black businesses to move to safer areas.
They moved to places like the Atlanta University Center and Auburn Avenue. "Sweet" Auburn Avenue soon became home to many important Black-owned businesses. These included Alonzo Herndon's Atlanta Mutual insurance company. It also had newspapers, churches, and fun nightclubs. In 1956, a famous magazine called Sweet Auburn "the richest Negro street in the world." This phrase was first used by civil rights leader John Wesley Dobbs.
Sweet Auburn became a symbol of success for the black middle class and upper class. This happened even with many social and legal challenges.
Challenges and Rebirth
In 1976, Sweet Auburn was recognized as a National Historic Landmark. However, like many city neighborhoods, it faced tough times. There was less money invested, and some buildings became empty. The building of the Downtown Connector highway also cut the neighborhood in half.
Because of these challenges, Sweet Auburn was listed as one of America's most endangered historic places in 1992. But people worked hard to turn things around. The Historic District Development Corporation (HDDC) was created to help. They started by fixing up homes near the birth home of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr..
In 2014, the city of Atlanta added the Atlanta Streetcar. This streetcar connects the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park to downtown. It helps people visit the important sites in Sweet Auburn easily.
Important Buildings and Businesses
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Many important churches helped build Sweet Auburn's heritage. These include Big Bethel AME and First Congregational Church. The Royal Peacock Club was a famous nightclub. Many African American artists performed there, like B.B. King and Gladys Knight.
One very important business was the Atlanta Life Insurance Company. It was the second-largest Black insurance company in the U.S. Alonzo Herndon, a former slave, started it in 1905. The company's main building is a beautiful Beaux Arts style building.
The Rucker Building was Atlanta's first Black-owned office building. It was built in 1904 by Henry A. Rucker, another former slave who became a successful businessman.
The Atlanta Daily World newspaper also started on Auburn Avenue in 1928. It was the first Black-owned daily newspaper. Today, it is the longest-running African American newspaper in the country. In 1948, the Atlanta Police Department hired its first eight Black police officers. All of them were assigned to patrol Auburn Avenue.
List of Historic Places in Sweet Auburn
- APEX Museum – opened in 1985
- Atlanta Daily World – started in 1928
- Atlanta Life Insurance – started in 1905
- Big Bethel AME Church – founded in 1847
- Ebenezer Baptist Church – founded in 1886
- Herndon Building – opened in 1924, later taken down after storm damage
- Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, which includes:
- Dr. King's birth home – built in 1895
- Visitors Center – opened in 1980
- Odd Fellows Building and Auditorium – built 1912–1913
- Rucker Building – built in 1904
- Sweet Auburn Curb Market – opened in 1924
Sweet Auburn's Culture and Festivals
Sweet Auburn is a lively place that celebrates its history and culture. It hosts two main festivals each year. The Sweet Auburn SpringFest happens in the spring. In the fall, there's the Sweet Auburn Heritage Festival.
The Sweet Auburn Heritage Festival takes place every October. Civil rights leader Hosea Williams started the first festival in 1984. Later, Charles Johnson helped restart it in 1994. The festival celebrates the amazing achievements of African Americans on Auburn Avenue. It offers food, art, and entertainment. It's a great way to remember the past and see how the area is growing.
The festival features many different performers. You might see comedians or new music artists. Famous artists like Usher Raymond, Outkast, and India.Arie have performed there. The festival helps new artists get noticed.
Edgewood Avenue, which runs through Sweet Auburn, is also known for its street art in Atlanta. You can find murals by artists from all over the world and local artists. These colorful artworks add to the neighborhood's unique feel.
The Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History is also in Sweet Auburn. This library is dedicated to saving and sharing the stories of African American culture and history.
Gallery
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Atlanta Life Insurance Company Building (2019)
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Rucker Building (1979)
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Sunset on Ebenezer Baptist Church (2013)
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Odd Fellows Building (1979, from Herndon Building)
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Adjoining Odd Fellows Auditorium (diagram of street front and rooftop of atrium)
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Former Herndon Building (1979, from Odd Fellows Building)
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Sweet Auburn Curb Market (2019, with its Atlanta Streetcar stop)
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