MLK

Ebenezer Baptist Church

Ebenezer Baptist Church was like a second home to Martin Luther King Jr.  His grandfather and father served as pastors for nearly 80 years.  During the 1960s Martin served as co-pastor with his father, known as Daddy King.

The King Center

The Reflecting Pool surrounds the tombs of Dr. and Mrs. Martin Luther King Jr. 

The Eternal Flame serves as a reminder of the Kings' undying commitment to their beloved community.

Behold Monument

Inscribed "Dedicated to the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for his moral courage and nobility of spirit".

Sculptor Patrick Morelli was inspired by the ancient African ritual of lifting a newborn child to the heavens and reciting "Behold the only thing greater than yourself".

MLK Mural

Small sections of the 125 foot long mural by Louis Delsarte commemorating the life of Dr. King.  

Martin Luther King Jr. Visitor Center

A Seat for Social Justice is a public art project that celebrates Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and the brave men, women, and children of the Civil Rights Movement.

Mule drawn wagon that carried Dr. King's casket 3 miles from Ebenezer Baptist Church to Morehouse College for a public service.  

Historic Fire Station No. 6

In the 1960s Fire Station No. 6 was the first racially integrated firehouse in Atlanta.  

Built in 1894 in the Romanesque Revival style.

King's Birth Home

Martin Luther King Jr. was born in an upstairs bedroom on January 15, 1929.  He lived here for 12 years with his parents, grandparents, sister,  brother, uncle, and great aunt.  I couldn't take photos inside but my favorite room was an upstairs bedroom belonging to Martin and his brother A.D.  The room is a mess of unmade beds with clothing and toys strewn about.  When his sister, Christine, saw it she said it still wasn't as messy as her brothers kept it when they lived there in the 30s and 40s!

Historic Residential Neighborhood

Next door neighbors house.

Looking up Auburn Street, Martin could see the homes of the wealthy.

Looking down Auburn Street,  Martin could see the poorer neighborhood.

Varsity Drive-in

This was a crazy fun experience!  We arrived at the same time as several bus loads of junior high students so it was chaos but then it's always like that!  The Varsity serves hot dogs and hamburgers but you must know the lingo to order.  My favorite was the "Yellow Dog", a hot dog with mustard also know as a "Yankee Dog"!  Yes Toto, we're in the South...  French fries are called "Sticks".

Olympic Torch from the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Mary Mac's Tea Room is an Atlanta institution that serves traditional southern cooking.  We ate a delicious lunch with the after church crowd; many of them large multi-generational families.  It was obvious that people return again and again to enjoy the food and friendly atmosphere.