What happened to Sweet Auburn Atlanta?

Sweet Auburn was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976. However, like so many other inner-city neighborhoods, Sweet Auburn fell victim to lack of investment, heavy, widespread crime, homelessness, and abandonment, compounded by construction of the Downtown Connector freeway that split it in two.

Why Is Sweet Auburn important?

Sweet Auburn was the commercial, cultural, and spiritual center of African American life prior to the civil rights movement. Approximately two miles in length, Auburn Avenue had a concentration of black-owned businesses, entertainment venues, and churches that catered to the underserved black population.

Who were some famous people out of Sweet Auburn?

Night clubs were proving grounds for James Brown and Gladys Knight. But the most famous thing to come out of Auburn Avenue was Martin Luther King Jr., who was born on the street and lived there through college.

Where Sweet Auburn is located and why is there a celebration?

Sweet Auburn Springfest is the largest free outdoor festival in the Southeast, attracting thousands of attendees each year to the historic Sweet Auburn District in Atlanta. The Sweet Auburn spring festival offers a great mix of live music, food and fun for the whole family.

How Safe Is Sweet Auburn Atlanta?

Extremely safe. Night or day, it’s a very safe place.

Why was Auburn Avenue important to Atlanta African-American community?

Why was Auburn Avenue important to Atlanta’s African American community? It was the one desegregated neighborhood in the city. It was the location of a number of influential African American–owned businesses.

When was Sweet Auburn founded?

In 1984 civil rights leader Hosea Williams founded the Sweet Auburn Heritage Festival, which offers entertainment, food, art, and children’s activities along Auburn Avenue each year.

Is Sweet Auburn safe?

Who became the strongest voice in favor of African-American civil rights?

Aretha Franklin grew up in 1950s Detroit, surrounded from childhood by the now-famous faces of the civil rights movement. Her songs would become their anthems.

Why did the Atlanta race riot happen?

Hoke Smith provoked rising racial tensions in the state by running on a platform of Black disenfranchisement during the gubernatorial campaign of 1906. The atmosphere of racial unrest resulted in the eruption of the Atlanta race riot in September 1906.

Is Sweet Auburn in Atlanta Safe?

What is the history of Sweet Auburn?

Sweet Auburn. The name Sweet Auburn was coined by John Wesley Dobbs, referring to the “richest Negro street in the world,” one of the largest concentrations of African-American businesses in the United States. A National Historic Landmark District was designated in 1976, covering 19 acres (7.7 ha) of the neighborhood,…

What is the Sweet Auburn historic district in Atlanta?

Buildings on Auburn Avenue in the Sweet Auburn Historic District NPS Photograph by Jody Cook Concentrated along a short mile and a half of Auburn Avenue, the Sweet Auburn Historic District reflects the history, heritage and achievements of Atlanta’s African Americans.

What happened to Auburn Avenue’s historic district?

Although the residential portion of the Sweet Auburn Historic District has enjoyed a distinct turnaround – thanks largely to the efforts of the Historic District Development Corporation – the commercial area concentrated on Auburn Avenue has not fared as well.

Is Sweet Auburn America’s most endangered historic place?

In 1992, the National Trust added Sweet Auburn to its list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.