Archive Atlanta

In 1881, not even two decades out of slavery, a group of Atlanta's African American washerwomen started the "Washing Society" and launched the fight for higher wages, respect and acknowledgement of black women's important role in the New South economy. One of best lesser-known 'herstories' of the city.
www.amazon.com/Joy-My-Freedom-Southern-Womens/dp/0674893085
Contact Me:
Email: thevictorialemos@gmail.com
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Westview Cemetery is one of the largest in the Southeast, opening in 1884. Today I get to share how it got started, what that big tower is all about, and why I think everyone should visit this weekend! I barely scratched the surface, so please read Jeff Clemmon's book:
Link:
www.amazon.com/Atlantas-Historic-Westview-Cemetery-Landmarks/dp/1626199671 
Contact Me:
Email: thevictorialemos@gmail.com
FB: www.facebook.com/archiveatlanta
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Andrew and Lula Hill:
Water Tower:
Gatehouse:
Westview Abbey:
 
 

This week I got to explore the rich history of East Atlanta. Beginning with area's earliest Native American trade route, the site of the Battle of Atlanta, school desegregation and a very unique neighborhood cemetery. There is even a mention of a glass eye and llamas! Listen and learn about this great neighborhood and why I personally love EAV so much.
Links I mentioned: 
http://www.batlevent.org/
https://www.georgiatrust.org/tag/2019-places-in-peril/
https://architecturalafterlife.com/2015/01/08/the-abandoned-east-atlanta-high/
https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/murphy-high-school-integration/1AFfNXYQYSLBow
http://www.orgsites.com/ga/sylvestercemetery/
https://www.pinterest.com/GalleriaByLeah/eav-3/?lp=true
Thank you to Krissy Venneman for the photos of EAV! 
Contact Me:
Email: thevictorialemos@gmail.com
FB: www.facebook.com/archiveatlanta
IG: www.instagram.com/archiveatlanta

After promising this episode week after week, I'm finally bringing you the story of the 1906 Race Riot. Learn about what caused these 4 days of deadly violence, how it changed the city forever, inspired the formation of the NAACP, and created Sweet Auburn.
Links Mentioned:
https://blackpast.org/racial-violence-united-states-1660
https://www.amazon.com/Veiled-Visions-Reshaping-American-Relations/dp/0807856266
Contact Me:
Email: thevictorialemos@gmail.com
FB: www.facebook.com/archiveatlanta
IG: www.instagram.com/archiveatlanta
 
 

Possibly Atlanta most famous park, we've all visited at least once. Whether it's the Dogwood Festival, Music Midtown or the finish-line of the Peachtree Road Race...these are just some of the hundreds of reason to visit Piedmont Park. Today I'm telling you about the early history of the land, two important expositions, as well history that will make you notice and appreciate the park in a new way.
Links:
www.piedmontpark.org/things-to-do/sightseeing-and-tours/
Benjamin Walker's House/Piedmont Driving Club:
Stairs + Urns:
Site of the Negro Building:
Visitor's Center:
 
 
 

Summerhill is the neighborhood almost all of us have visited at least once, but probably had no idea. It holds stories of African American and Jewish settlement in Atlanta, one of the first schools for black children, destruction by highways, urban renewal and two stadiums...oh, and a riot. Listen in for a look at all that, but also what the future holds in store for this rapidly changing neighborhood.
Links:
https://www.amazon.com/Challenging-U-S-Apartheid-Struggles-1960-1977/dp/0822337916
https://smartech.gatech.edu/handle/1853/36610/browse?value=H.+W.+Lochner+and+Company&type=author
 

Atlanta and alcohol have a long, sordid history. From the colony of Georgia banning ardent spirits in 1735, to Fulton County taking 5 extra years to actually celebrate Repeal Day, the story of temperance and Atlanta is a great one. Listen this week to hear the stories - well known and unknown - about the Prohibition in Atlanta.
Links:
https://www.amazon.com/Prohibition-Atlanta-Temperance-Lightning-American/dp/1626196060
https://www.amazon.com/Liquor-Land-Lost-Cause-Evangelicals/dp/0813124719
https://www.backstoryradio.org/shows/cheers-and-jeers-rebroadcast/
 

The Atlanta Public School system would be established by the City Council in 1869 and opening day would be in 1872. The first two high schools in the city were named Boys High and Girls High. This week, I'll talk about the history of both, how you can still see them today and a little personal tidbit about my vintage yearbook collection.

Today, I finally get to tell one of the most important histories of Atlanta. In 1913, Atlanta is only 50 years out of the Civil War, but there are still huge resentments between the North and South. Georgia’s child labor standards were the nation’s worst, with children as young as ten years old working. Populist, Tom Watson, was lighting the fire underneath the anti-Catholic, anti-black and anti-Jew rhetoric. 
In this climate, Leo Frank is charged with Mary Phagan's murder, tried, sentenced and then has his sentence commuted...only to be lynched in Marietta by the 'Knights of Mary Phagan'. If you don't know this story, you need to hear this episode!
Links:
https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Shall-Rise-Murder-Lynching/dp/0679764232
http://bittersoutherner.com/from-the-southern-perspective/miscellany/a-hole-in-the-oheart-of-georgia-state-prison-farm-demolition
Map of all the Leo Frank-related sites:
https://www.bing.com/maps?v=2&encType=1&cid=B381A84E094A8587!217
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Happy Thanksgiving! This week, I am bringing you a quick episode on two Sweet Auburn churches - Big Bethel AME and Wheat Street Baptist. Learn about fires, famous plays and how the pastor of Wheat Street helped desegregate Atlanta's buses.
Big Bethel AME:
Wheat Street Baptist: