Monastery at Large

Category: Downtown Atlanta

  • Postcards from the South: Dinkler Motor Hotel – Atlanta

    Postcard illustration of the Dinkler Motor Hotel (1965), Atlanta

    This postcard depicts the Dinkler Motor Hotel in Atlanta, designed by Herbert C. Milkey Associates and completed in 1965.1 The building is still in use as a sleazy motel and is the only part of the Dinkler Plaza complex that survives.

    The card was published by Dinkler Hotel Corporation, “A wholly owned subsidiary of Transcontinental Investing Corporation”, and contained the following description on the back:

    THE DINKLER MOTOR HOTEL, Atlanta, Georgia
    The Crossroads of the South and center of social, business and political life. Air conditioned, television, free parking, swimming pool, four famous restaurants, outstanding convention service. International welcome center to greet foreign guests.

    The card was addressed to Mrs. Margaret Cohen of 47 Phipps Lane in Plainview, N.Y, and included the following heartfelt note:

    “3/1/66

    Honey —

    Thinking of you

    Love
    Irving“

    There was a Playboy Club in the motel.2 Just saying.

    References

    1. “Dinkler To Open 11-Story Addition”. The Atlanta Journal, February 17, 1965, p. 44. ↩︎
    2. O’Dark, Aft. “Playboy Club To Open Up With Fanfare”. The Atlanta Journal, February 27, 1965, p. 20. ↩︎

  • Postcards from the South: U.S. Post Office – Atlanta

    Postcard view of the interior of the U.S. Post Office (1909), Atlanta

    This postcard depicts the interior of the U.S. Post Office in Atlanta, designed by John Knox Taylor and completed in 1909.

    Published by I.F. P. Co. of Atlanta, the card wasn’t postmarked but was addressed to Miss Lena Grow of #29 Dewey Ave. in Atlanta.

    The note on the back says:

    “Hello, my little friend [not creepy at all – ed.] how are you getting along how is Charlie hope he is better. if you did not mean that you could go to the meeting what did you mean be cause I do not understand wont you please tell me. I sure had a nice time Sunday hope you did. But I did not meet Miss”

    Literally everything about that message is disturbing.

  • Nathan Deal Judicial Center (2020) – Atlanta

    Robert A.M. Stern Architects. Nathan Deal Judicial Center (2020). Atlanta.1 2
    Pediment on the facade of the Nathan Deal Judicial Center, Atlanta
    Pediment on the facade of the Nathan Deal Judicial Center, Atlanta
    Windows on the Nathan Deal Judicial Center, Atlanta
    Windows on the Nathan Deal Judicial Center, Atlanta

    References

    1. Rankin, Bill. “Justice Thomas: Judges must uphold rule of law”. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, February 12, 2020, p. B1. ↩︎
    2. Nathan Deal Judicial Center — Robert A.M. Stern Architects, LLP ↩︎

  • Postcards from the South: Hillyer Trust Building – Atlanta

    Postcard view of Hillyer Bank and Trust Building (1911), Atlanta

    This postcard depicts the Hillyer Bank and Trust Building in Atlanta, designed by Hentz & Reid and completed in 1911.

    Published by I.F. Co. of Atlanta, the card was postmarked in Atlanta on August 3, 1913, and addressed to Mrs. J.H. Harris of McCredie, Missouri.

    The following note is written on the back:

    “I am mighty glad to hear from you, will answer soon

    This is a lonesome Sunday wish I could be with you all

    Brother“

    Gallery

    Hentz & Reid. Hillyer Bank and Trust Building (1911). Atlanta.
    Hentz & Reid. Hillyer Bank and Trust Building (1911). Atlanta.
    Entrance of the Hillyer Bank and Trust Building, Atlanta
    Entrance of the Hillyer Bank and Trust Building, Atlanta
    Second-floor window and balcony on the Hillyer Bank and Trust Building, Atlanta
    Second-floor window and balcony on the Hillyer Bank and Trust Building, Atlanta
    West facade of the Hillyer Bank and Trust Building, Atlanta
    West facade of the Hillyer Bank and Trust Building, Atlanta

  • Peachtree Center Station (1982) – Atlanta

    Joseph Amisano of Toombs, Amisano & Wells. Peachtree Center Station (1982). Atlanta.
    Joseph Amisano of Toombs, Amisano & Wells. Peachtree Center Station (1982). Atlanta.1 2 3
    Southbound train leaving the platform of Peachtree Center Station, Atlanta
    Southbound train leaving the platform of Peachtree Center Station, Atlanta
    Looking south in Peachtree Center Station, Atlanta
    Looking south in Peachtree Center Station, Atlanta
    Beneath a mezzanine in Peachtree Center Station, Atlanta
    Beneath a mezzanine in Peachtree Center Station, Atlanta
    Corridor in Peachtree Center Station, Atlanta
    Corridor in Peachtree Center Station, Atlanta
    Looking across a mezzanine in Peachtree Center Station, Atlanta
    Looking across a mezzanine in Peachtree Center Station, Atlanta
    Escalator to Peachtree Center Station, Atlanta
    Escalator to Peachtree Center Station, Atlanta
    Exposed granite in Peachtree Center Station, Atlanta
    Exposed granite in Peachtree Center Station, Atlanta

    References

    1. Litsch, Joseph. “All Aboard For Peachtree”. The Atlanta Journal-The Atlanta Constitution Weekend, September 4, 1982, p. 27. ↩︎
    2. Ippolito, Milo. “City bears his mark”. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, June 19, 2003, p. J1. ↩︎
    3. Powell, Kay. “Joe Amisano, admired architect”. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 21, 2008, p. B6. ↩︎

  • 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, Preston. Building a Firm: The Story of Stevens & Wilkinson Architects, Engineers, Planners Inc. Atlanta (1979). ↩︎
    2. Photo credit: ibid, p. 30. ↩︎

  • Kress (1936) – Atlanta

    Edward F. Sibbert. S.H. Kress & Co. (1936). Downtown, Atlanta.
    Edward F. Sibbert. S.H. Kress & Co. (1936). Downtown, Atlanta.1 2 3 4
    Fourth and fifth-floor windows on the facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Atlanta
    Fourth and fifth-floor windows on the facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Atlanta
    Looking at S.H. Kress & Co. from the southeast
    Looking at S.H. Kress & Co. from the southeast
    First-floor canopy on the facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Atlanta
    First-floor canopy on the facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Atlanta
    llustration of S.H. Kress & Co. (1936), Atlanta
    Illustration of S.H. Kress & Co. (1936), Atlanta5

    References

    1. Application For Building Permit, March 18, 1936. ↩︎
    2. “Open House Planned For New Kress Store”. The Atlanta Constitution, November 8, 1936, p. 6. ↩︎
    3. “New S.H. Kress Store On Whitehall Street Will Open on Monday”. The Atlanta Journal, November 8, 1936, p. 12. ↩︎
    4. “Work Starts Soon On New Structure”. The Atlanta Constitution, January 15, 1936, p. 14. ↩︎
    5. Illustration credit: Advertisement. The Atlanta Journal, November 8, 1936, p. 13. ↩︎

  • First Congregational Church (1908) – Atlanta

    Bruce & Everett. First Congregational Church (1908). Atlanta.
    Bruce & Everett. First Congregational Church (1908). Atlanta.1 2 3 4 5 6
    South facade of First Congregational Church, Atlanta
    South facade of First Congregational Church, Atlanta
    Belvedere on First Congregational Church, Atlanta
    Belvedere on First Congregational Church, Atlanta
    Window on the west facade of First Congregational Church, Atlanta
    Window on the west facade of First Congregational Church, Atlanta
    Reflection of First Congregational Church, Atlanta
    Reflection of First Congregational Church, Atlanta
    Dutch gable on the west facade of First Congregational Church, Atlanta
    Dutch gable on the west facade of First Congregational Church, Atlanta
    Round window and porch gable on the south facade of First Congregational Church, Atlanta
    Round window and porch gable on the south facade of First Congregational Church, Atlanta
    Porch on the south facade of First Congregational Church, Atlanta
    Porch on the south facade of First Congregational Church, Atlanta
    Belvedere on First Congregational Church, Atlanta
    Belvedere on First Congregational Church, Atlanta
    Porch columns on the south facade of First Congregational Church, Atlanta
    Porch columns on the south facade of First Congregational Church, Atlanta
    Cross on the west facade of First Congregational Church, Atlanta
    Cross on the west facade of First Congregational Church, Atlanta
    Cornerstone of First Congregational Church, Atlanta
    Cornerstone of First Congregational Church, Atlanta
    Terracotta ornamentation on the belvedere of First Congregational Church, Atlanta
    Terracotta ornamentation on the belvedere of First Congregational Church, Atlanta

    References

    1. “First Congregational Church, Colored, Will Soon Build a New Structure at a Cost of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars.” The Atlanta Constitution, June 23, 1907, p. 7. ↩︎
    2. “Contract Is Let For $30,000 Church Here”. The Atlanta Journal, April 16, 1908, p. 3. ↩︎
    3. “Colored Congregational Will Break Ground For Handsome New Church”. The Atlanta Georgian and News, June 2, 1908, p. 9. ↩︎
    4. “Dirt To Be Broken For New Negro Church”. The Atlanta Journal, June 2, 1908, p. 13. ↩︎
    5. “Colored Church Is Consecrated”. The Atlanta Journal, December 14, 1908, p. 2. ↩︎
    6. “Colored Church Dedicated Sunday”. The Atlanta Journal, December 14, 1908, p. 5. ↩︎

  • Regenstein’s (1930) – Atlanta

    Pringle & Smith. Regenstein's (1930). Atlanta.
    Pringle & Smith. Regenstein’s (1930). Atlanta.1 2 3 4
    Windows, spandrels, and ornamentation on the facade of Regenstein's
    Windows, spandrels, and ornamentation on the facade of Regenstein’s
    Peters Land Company insignia on the facade of Regenstein's
    Peters Land Company insignia on the facade of Regenstein’s
    Ornamentation on the facade of Regenstein's
    Ornamentation on the facade of Regenstein’s
    Stringcourse on the facade of Regenstein's
    Stringcourse on the facade of Regenstein’s
    Regenstein's circa 1939
    Regenstein’s circa 19395

    References

    1. “Regenstein Plans Peachtree Store”. The Atlanta Constitution, June 23, 1929, p. 1. ↩︎
    2. “Regenstein Company Leases New Peachtree Building”. The Atlanta Journal, June 23, 1929, p. D9. ↩︎
    3. “New Regenstein Home Will Open At 209 Peachtree”. The Atlanta Journal, February 23, 1930, p. 8A. ↩︎
    4. Application for Building Permit, July 27, 1929 ↩︎
    5. “Pages From Regenstein’s Family Album” (advertisement). The Atlanta Constitution, December 14, 1939, p. 5C. ↩︎

  • Relic Signs: The Bootery (1958-2025) – Atlanta

    The Bootery (1958-2025). 81 Peachtree Street, Atlanta.
    The Bootery (1958-2025). 81 Peachtree Street, Atlanta.

    This old parrot was recently toppled from its longtime perch on Atlanta’s Peachtree Street. Squawk!

    The Bootery was a national shoe store chain that first opened in Atlanta in 1946, catering to “Boys and Girls of All Ages,”1 and later touting itself as “Atlanta’s Most Popular Children’s Shoe Store.”2

    When the store moved to 81 Peachtree Street (previously 81 Whitehall Street) in August 1958,3 4 it was an exclusive seller of Poll-Parrot shoes, and the parrot was the brand’s mascot.5 6

    Location of The Bootery

    The store closed sometime after 1996,7 but the sign was left to fade and rust for decades, and was finally removed in 2025 as the structure at 81 Peachtree was hollowed out to serve as a courtyard, part of a major renovation of the neighboring Bass Dry Goods building.8

    References

    1. Advertisement. The Atlanta Constitution, March 15, 1946, p. 6. ↩︎
    2. Advertisement. The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, March 30, 1958, p. 9-F. ↩︎
    3. ‘”The Bootery” Shoe Store Grand Opening August 14-16’. Atlanta Daily World, August 13, 1958, p. 3. ↩︎
    4. Advertisement. The Atlanta Constitution, August 14, 1958, p. 16. ↩︎
    5. ibid. ↩︎
    6. Advertisement. The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, March 30, 1958, p. 9-F. ↩︎
    7. Advertisement. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, July 26, 1996, p. 25. ↩︎
    8. Photo tour: Where South Downtown’s painstaking rebirth stands now | Urbanize Atlanta ↩︎