Category: Architecture of Atlanta and the Southeast

  • Postcards from the South: Mitchell Street – Atlanta

    Postcard view of Mitchell Street, Atlanta

    This postcard depicts a scene on Atlanta’s Mitchell Street, looking east toward Forsyth Street.

    The card was postmarked in Atlanta on October 13, 1910, and addressed to Miss Edmonia March in Taylorsville, Virginia.

    The following note was written on the back:

    “Atlanta Ga
    10/13/10

    I have been promoted to one of the longest run in the South running from Wash DC to Atlanta only 706 mile. I’m on the road 24 hours. I get my lay off in Wash

    Write me
    612 – 6th – N.E. St. Wash

    Sincerely [?]”

  • Semiquincentennial

    Robert Mills. Washington Monument (1885). Washington, D.C.
    Robert Mills. Washington Monument (1885). Washington, D.C.1 2

    History may well remember it as the most arrogant and self-absorbed nation on earth—

    A swarm of infantile ogres, decadent to the core and devoid of conscience or character,

    Who pillaged and raped the land and murdered its inhabitants in their lust for wealth, power, and other illusions of their own manufacture.

    Gasping for breath beneath piles of meaningless shit, they proclaimed their superiority,

    Slathered like corn syrup with an insufferable self-righteousness that they convinced themselves was the very essence of God.

    In fact, they knew nothing of the Divine and, in due course, revealed themselves to be the very demons they screamed so loudly of

    Wagging their fingers at the world like toddlers on a playground, unaware that no one was listening to them.

    Having grown lazy from cheap comfort and easy hate, their addictions rendered them dull, passive, and disengaged.

    And when hardship finally came to them—as it does to all people—they were caught unaware, then collapsed under the weight of their own stupidity.

    No longer did the world believe their lies or indulge them in their childish fantasies:

    They were left to deal with their darkness, alone—

    Forced by their own poor choices to evolve or wither, as so many have before them.

    They may be nothing but a blip.

    References

    1. “The Story of the Shaft.” The Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), February 21, 1885, p. 2. ↩︎
    2. Bryan, John M. Robert Mills: America’s First Architect. New York: Princeton Architectural Press (2001). ↩︎
  • Postcards from the South: Candler Hall – University of Georgia, Athens

    Postcard view of Candler Hall (1902), Athens, Georgia

    This postcard depicts Candler Hall at the University of Georgia in Athens, designed by G.L. Norrman and completed in 1902.

    The front of the card is dated October 7, 1907, and includes the note: “I room with Mary Lucy STANSELL of Conyers, a fine girl I tell you.”

    Published by The McGregor Company of Athens, the card was postmarked as “Normal School” on November 11, 1907, and addressed to Miss Lennie Ware of Winder, Georgia.

    Lucy wrote on the back:

    ‘I saw “Cousin Dick” this A.M. Also “Cousin Will.”

    My dear Lennie: –

    I received your card yesterday

    I was more than glad to hear from you once again.

    I met “Icie” this A.M. I like her so much. I am sorry I haven’t known her sooner.

    Lennie, you write to me please. I wrote you aways in the summer but you have never answered it. Dear do come to see me real soon. I am crazy to see you. Write soon. With love, Lucy.’

    Lucy dear, get the hint: Lennie finds you annoying. You sound needy as hell. And what exactly are you doing with that “Cousin Dick”?

  • Postcards from the South: Fleming duBignon Residence – Atlanta

    Postcard view of Fleming duBignon Residence (1902), Atlanta

    This postcard depicts the Fleming duBignon Residence in Atlanta, designed by W.F. Denny and completed in 1902.

    As noted on the front, the home was located at 925 Peachtree Street, and the photograph was “Taken on Xmas day 1907”.

    The card was postmarked in Atlanta on March 2, 1909, and addressed to Miss Cynthia Farie at 202 East 31st Street in Savannah, Georgia, with the following message written on the back:

    “I thought you would like a picture of Grandfather’s house. I want to thank you for the pretty valentine. Lots of love from Tissie.”

    You think the grandfather knew his house had an exact duplicate in Louisville, Georgia?

  • Postcards from the South: Prudential Building – Atlanta

    Postcard view of Prudential Building (1899), Atlanta

    This postcard depicts the Prudential Building in Atlanta, designed by T.H. Morgan of Bruce & Morgan and completed in 1899.

    [Neal?] wrote on the front: “Around all Atl. Having a big time. Leave for S.S. Thursday. Best wishes to all.”

    I, for one, welcome the death of cursive writing.

    Published by the Orr Stationery Co. of Atlanta, the card was postmarked in College Park, Georgia, on July 16, 1907, and addressed to Miss Pearl Woodcliff in Flowery Branch, Georgia.

  • Postcards from the South: Christian Science Church – Atlanta

    Postcard view of Christian Science Church (1899), Atlanta

    This postcard depicts the Christian Science Church in Atlanta, designed by G.L. Norrman and completed in 1899.

    Written on the front is the following note:

    “May 14, ’07

    Am addressing this Sacramento for fear you have not received your Yosemite mail. Beautiful weather here. I am fine + dandy. Business is on the move.”

    Published by the Witt Brothers of Atlanta and printed in Germany, the card was postmarked in Atlanta on May 14, 1907, and addressed to Miss Grace B. Smith at Box 165 Davis Ave, Sacramento California R.F.D. #2 International Hotel, Yosemite Cal., and received in Yosemite, California, on May 25, 1907.

    Got all that?

  • Postcards from the South: The Manor – Asheville, North Carolina

    Postcard view of the Manor Inn (1898), Albermarle Park, Asheville, North Carolina

    This postcard depicts the Manor Inn at Albermarle Park in Asheville, North Carolina, designed by Bradford L. Gilbert and completed in 1898.

    Published by the Southern Post Card Co. of Asheville, the card was postmarked in Asheville on April 9, 1921, and addressed to Mrs. H.V.M. Dennis of 81 E. Main Street in Freehold, New Jersey.

    Printed on the back is the following description:

    The Manor, Asheville, N.C.
    In the “Land Of The Sky.”

    The Manor, an exclusive Inn, is located in a park of thirty-six acres and has its private club house, with tennis, bowling and billiards within the park. It is operated by The Albermarle Park Company of Asheville which also owns Albermarle Park and about fifteen cottages within the Park. These can be leased and furnished for housekeeping.

    Also written on the back is the following note:

    “Fri. Eve.

    Had a very pleasant day – all of us feeling much better. You would hardly know Mary [Sr.?]”

    I can see where a Mary Sr. might be unrecognizable.

  • The Westin Charlotte (2003) – Charlotte, North Carolina

    John Portman & Associates. The Westin Charlotte (2003). Charlotte, North Carolina.
    John Portman & Associates. The Westin Charlotte (2003). Charlotte, North Carolina.1 2
    Looking at The Westin Charlotte from the west
    Looking at The Westin Charlotte from the west
    Terrace on The Westin Charlotte
    Terrace on The Westin Charlotte
    Looking at The Westin Charlotte from the northeast
    Looking at The Westin Charlotte from the northeast

    References

    1. John Portman: Art and Architecture. Atlanta: High Museum of Art in association with the University of Georgia Press (2009). ↩︎
    2. Lunan, Charles, and Hudson, Don. “Convention Hotel Checks In”. The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, North Carolina), April 30, 2003, p. 1A. ↩︎
  • Office of Stevens & Wilkinson (1947) – Atlanta

    Stevens & Wilkinson. Office of Stevens & Wilkinson (1947). Fairlie-Poplar, Atlanta.
    Stevens & Wilkinson. Office of Stevens & Wilkinson (1947). Fairlie-Poplar, Atlanta.1
    Office of Stevens & Wilkinson, Atlanta, date unknown
    Office of Stevens & Wilkinson, Atlanta, date unknown2

    References

    1. Stevens, PrestonBuilding a Firm: The Story of Stevens & Wilkinson Architects, Engineers, Planners Inc. Atlanta (1979). ↩︎
    2. Photo credit: ibid, p. 30. ↩︎
  • Postcards from the South: Citizens Bank – Savannah, Georgia

    Postcard view of Citizens Bank (1896), Savannah, Georgia

    This postcard depicts the Citizens Bank in Savannah, Georgia, designed by G.L. Norrman and completed in 1896.

    Published by the Souvenir Post Card Co. of New York and printed in Germany, the card was postmarked in Savannah on February 9, 1912, and addressed to Mrs. Chas. E. Simond of 316 E. Monroe Street in Jacksonville, Florida.

    Written on the back is the following note from Mrs. Mac:

    “I am having a good time. We are on the [?] most of the time. I got use of the [?] at the party yesterday. It is much warmer but I nearly froze last week. [?] love to from you. Will be home next week.”

    You get the gist of that, right?