Touring the Doll's Head Trail

The Atlanta Preservation Center's program Phoenix Flies is a favorite of mine. 

I try to go on several of the more than 200 free tours over the course of the two weeks they're offered. I had such a busy winter that I didn't make a Phoenix Flies tour this year until the first day of spring, which was the last day Phoenix Flies tours were being offered, BUT it was a tour that I'd read about for years and one that I'd been wanting to go on...a tour of the Doll's Head Trail.

Doll's Head Trail, Atlanta

The description of this tour said, "requires the ability to walk two miles over rough terrain." I found it invigorating! It's definitely good exercise and you want to wear walking/hiking shoes, but the two miles goes fast...I thought.

The Doll's Head Trail is only a portion of the path that wraps all the around Constitution Lakes, a Dekalb County Park. Some of the total pathways are brand new boardwalks and some of it raw path, with boardwalk construction in-progress.

Doll's Head Trail, Atlanta

This particular display, pictured above, was one of the images on the cover of the brochure for this year's Phoenix Flies program. I'd see the image for years, but it was still pretty cool to see the real thing. 

The computer geek in me (my college degree is in technology) was trying to figure out what the framing device once was. It looks like a portable television with a floppy disc reader of some sort. Who among my readers remember using floppy discs and did you learn not to leave them on the dashboard of your car the hard way? 

Doll's Head Trail, Atlanta

This Doll's Head Trail tour was led by its creator, Joel Slaton. He shared with the group that one of his inspirations when creating the neo-folk artwork filled destination was none other than longtime Georgia resident and artist Howard Finster.  

If you've been to Howard Finster's Paradise Garden, you'll totally get the correlation, but if you've not been to Paradise Garden, you're totally missing out on a mesmerizing experience!

Doll's Head Trail, Atlanta

One of the first two attributes you'll notice about the park is bright red mud—and lots of it—and approximately a bazillion bricks! The Doll's Head Trail is the former site of long-defunct South River Brick Company.

Joel calls what he's doing a Restoration Park. It's a noble cause and a great gain for Atlanta. History Atlanta offers an in-depth description and history of Doll's Head Trail. I encourage you to delve into what they've written...it's rich in history and quite fascinating!

Doll's Head Trail, Atlanta

"DON'T DRINK & TEXT & DRIVE"...in that scenario there's never a happy ending. The Doll's Head Trail comes with some excellent advice and a few life lessons. Some of it is surprisingly jovial and clever, but on occasion it offers bits of wisdom that one might have a better life for heeding. 

Doll's Head Trail, Atlanta

In addition to a Smurf, you're going to see fishermen (Yes, you can fish here!), lots of wildlife including some spectacular birds, plants you've probably never seen, and a beautiful, serene landscape that you'll hardly believe is inside Atlanta's I-285!

Doll's Head Trail, Atlanta

You don't have to travel to Orlando or abroad to see a princess...there's at least one at the Doll's Head Trail, probably a few, in fact. There is indeed lots to take in! Joel pointed out one spot on the trail where he retrieved 75 doll's heads! 

Doll's Head Trail, Atlanta

Getting there might be a little tricky, unless you've done your homework before you leave the house. Looking at Google Maps, the address of S. River Industrial Blvd, SE, Atlanta, GA 30316, puts you at the entrance of the Trail. On my visit, I used GPS, which put me on the wrong side of S. River Industrial Blvd. 

If you're traveling South on Moreland Ave, SE, you will want to turn LEFT at S. River Industrial Blvd, SE, not the opposite direction that my GPS sent me. I hope this saves you a few minutes and a lot of frustration. My bad for not looking it up before I headed out.

Doll's Head Trail, Atlanta

Just when you think you have a leg up on what's going on, you're going to see a totally unexpected sense of "clever"...you're going to see a lot of that, actually! I particularly found "The age-old question" and the "pet rock" delightfully funny. You'll see what I mean when you visit. 

Doll's Head Trail, Atlanta

Remember the first photo in this post, where it was written: "Taggers: Really? Well, at least, LEAVE THE SHARPIES!" I'm not exactly sure what was being referring to, but the latter sounds like a sensible request to me.

Slaton generously leaves Sharpies for visitors to write messages and drawings on pieces of terracotta tiles scattered throughout the Trail. The above was was left by a tagger named Corrine, a lovely youngster visiting with her family, who we saw had tagged something seemingly every few feet! You gotta love enthusiasm. 

I think Sharpie should contract Joel Slaton as a spokesperson!

When you're looking for something quirky that's also filled with vibrant nature, check out the Doll's Head Trail. Thank you, Joel and Atlanta Preservation Center for adding this informative, insightful tour to this year's Phoenix Flies program!  

Phoenix Flies: Architecture Through the Lens

The 2014 Phoenix Flies started a few days ago and I and this year I'm mixing it up.

Phoenix Flies is a program from the Atlanta Preservation Center...a program that I'm grateful for. This year there are more than 230 events at nearly 100 venues all over Atlanta. Most of those events are tours and all of them are free! Some require reservations, so be sure to double-check before you head to your event.

I do plan to go on several tours throughout Phoenix Flies—which runs through Sunday, March 23—but my first 2014 event was a photography class presented by Easements Atlanta at the LP Grant Mansion, which is also Atlanta Preservation Center headquarters, in Grant Park. Introducing the class was Angela Threadgill, Executive Director, Easements Atlanta, Inc.

Angela Threadgill and Judith Pishnery

The class, Architecture Through the Lens, was just as the name suggests...about photographing architecture. The instructor, Judith Pishnery, is a professional photographer—Pisconeri Studio—and a SCAD-Atlanta professor.

And she was amazing! I imagine her students love her. She's energetic, loves to laugh, and is incredibly talented. The current photo exhibit at the Atlanta Preservation Center is all her work. For the show, Judith shot [correction] nearly 3,000 images and Easements Atlanta received 500 of those...that's a LOT of post-production! Although, Judith prefers optimum timing the shot, reducing required editing, and doing most of her editing in-camera. The 40 buildings in the project were shot January-May 2013.

Judith gave us some great tips for architecture photography, as well as general photography. A few of her tips included:

• Scout the location, prior to a shoot;
• Shoot in the best light—and never mid-day;
• Emphasize the best features;
• Always carry your camera (and extra batteries and memory cards); and
• Take a lot of photos!

She shared a lot more! And actually, Judith was very generous with her time. Immediately following her presentation, she gave us an extra half hour of Q&A.

LP Grant Mansion, Atlanta Preservation Center Headquarters

So, you have nearly two weeks to get in all the tours and other Phoenix Flies tours you want, and may I recommend the tour of the LP Grant Mansion. I did that tour last year and think you'll be amazed at what you learn about this historic home.

This year I'm planning on touring Rhodes Hall (another historic home that I love!), Hammonds House Guided Tour; Center for Puppetry Arts Behind the Scenes Tour; Westview Cemetery Tour; The Temple; Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, and go on the Piedmont Park History Tour (something I've been wanting to do for years!).

If you see me out and about, please say "Hello"!

Interview: Terry Kearns, Architecture Tourist

Terry Kearns, author of Architecture Tourist, was the first blogger friend I made after starting wanderlust ATLANTA. I later learned that there are more than 8,000 bloggers in Atlanta—or at least that many who have tried blogging—and little did I realize at the time that Terry is one of the most connected and most respected bloggers in Atlanta. 

I'd made a good friend.

Terry Kearns, Architecture Tourist

He discovered wanderlust ATLANTA (at the time called tour ATLANTA) not too long after I started blogging, and was a fan from the beginning. Terry started following me not so much for all the touristy stuff that I write about, but because I interject architecture posts from time to time.

I've explained before that my reason for doing so is that when "I" am a tourist in another city, there are invariably buildings that I wonder about..."What's its history?", "Who is in it now?", "Residential, retail, business?"

Terry immediately realized what I was doing—writing a blog about Atlanta and all her wonderful assets—and added me to his blog roll. His doing that has sent me a significant amount of traffic, so I wanted to do something to return the favor, beyond including him on my blog roll. 

Thus this interview. I think Terry's enthusiasm for Atlanta architecture is unmatched. He makes no clams to be working toward a Pulitzer Prize-winning blog and doesn't claim to be a National Geographic-esque photographer, BUT...if more people had Terry's enthusiasm for even one thing in life, it'd be a much friendlier and interesting planet!

So, with that...an interview! My appreciation to Terry for making time to visit with me and to answer a few questions. We took a stroll up St. Charles Drive near Piedmont Park while chatting about architecture. So....here we go:

Terry Kearns interview

wanderlust ATLANTA: Why Architecture Tourist? How did you get started and what keeps you blogging?

Terry Kearns interview, Grady High School

Terry: I was doing websites for vacation rentals. A new client called out of the blue who was hoping to rent his Frank Lloyd Wright house to "architecture tourists."

So, I decided to blog about architecture tourism to boost my chances of getting the job. Neither the rental nor the website worked out and I was left with a blog about architecture...one of my favorite subjects. This was a good thing. 

I have a permanent case of writers and "thinkers block." Forcing myself to write is good discipline. And blogging makes me pay attention and look carefully. But the very best thing about blogging is meeting people, sometimes even in person.

Terry Kearns interview

wanderlust ATLANTA: What’s your favorite aspect of the architecture discipline and why?

Terry Kearns interview

Terry: I want more places that delight us. And I want more smallish Greek revial houses.

Terry Kearns interview

wanderlust ATLANTA: If you could create a city block of existing Atlanta buildings, what would that block include?

Terry Kearns interview

Terry: Travis, that is just too hard. But I'll tell you some residential streets I enjoy, streets I visit for pleasure, sometimes just a block. 

This isn't in order: Drexel, Emerson Furgusson, Colquit, Degress, Peachtree Way, Degress, Josephene, Roanoke, Highland View, Delmar, Redland, Grant, Howard, Dixie, McPherson, Murphy (really?), Peoples, and many more.

Terry Kearns interview

wanderlust ATLANTA: As a preservationist, what call-to-action do you feel is most important in saving Atlanta’s architectural history?

Terry Kearns interview

Terry: I'm not the best preservationist. I do hope our best buildings can find a way to survive, to be productive and efficient, to be flexible enough to meet changing needs. But buildings wear out; they weren't built to last 100 years. Some are horribly expensive to maintain.

I'm more concerned about public buildings than private houses, but both can become white elephants. I'm most concerned about our in-town churches, which I think constitute our best collection of buildings and they have deep connections to Atlanta families and Atlanta history.

Terry Kearns interview

wanderlust ATLANTA: You created a “Stained Glass Bucket List” for the 10th Anniversary of the Atlanta Preservation Center’s “Phoenix Flies” tours. Details?

Terry Kearns interview

Terry: Because I've blogged a little about stained glass, folks suggested I start a group for fans and enthusiasts. This winter I started Atlanta Glass Project. It's a Facebook page. I hope to attract some interest and a few contributors. Stained Glass is our biggest genres of public art...and specific windows have deep personal and historical connections to Atlantans.

I made the Phoenix Flies Stained Glass Bucket List to kick it off.

Blogging has connected me with several Atlanta stained glass experts / historians enthusiasts: Bobby Mays, Bill Lyons, and Mary-Elizabeth Ellard. 

Terry Kearns interview

wanderlust ATLANTA: As a passionate architecture enthusiast, what insight(s) would you like to share with aspiring architects?

Terry Kearns interview

Terry: I believe in the value of professional design, that for the same money, you can have something great. I've seen so many places where I've thought: "If an architect has seen this, s/he could have fixed it in five minutes, a glance would tell her/him it wouldn't work." I hope the profession can find ways to deliver its services in smaller packages, so that more places can be great.

So, Terry and I visited some of his favorite places on a single street, which was very eye-opening for me...who knew that there was so much architectural eclecticism on one street?! There were so very many varying architectural styles in only a few blocks...I was amazed! Especially given that years ago I lived on Charles Allen Drive!

Sometimes you just don't see something until someone else points it out. And I'll share more about my friend Terry Kearns—the Architecture Tourist—in future posts. I think you'll also think he's a great guy! And, as passionate as he is about architecture, he's someone who always puts his family first, which I greatly admire and respect.

Please check out Architecture Tourist and the Atlanta Glass Project...I've enjoyed it for years and if you have any interest in architecture, I think you'll also enjoy what Terry has to share...especially if you're an architecture tourist.

L. P. Grant Mansion

Lemuel Pratt Grant, born in 1817 and "a city pioneer, railroad magnate and philanthropist," owned a home on 600 acres overlooking downtown Atlanta, now known as the L. P. Grant Mansion.

L. P. Grant Mansion, Atlanta Preservation Center

Today, that once three-story home—currently being restored by and the headquarters of the Atlanta Preservation Center—sits as a one-story significant piece of Atlanta history in Historic Grant Park.

Lemuel Pratt Grant, Atlanta Preservation Center

When Grant died in 1893, he was recognized as one of Atlanta’s “best friends, one of her noblest citizens and one of her chief benefactors” by The Atlanta Journal. (Atlanta Preservation Center website) His contributions to Atlanta and all of her citizens is extensive. I encourage you to learn more about this fascinating man.

L. P. Grant Mansion, Atlanta Preservation Center

I found the Grant Mansion through a tour offered by the Atlanta Preservation Center's "Phoenix Flies" program, which just finished it 10th year. I did not know the house's historical significance or that it was the Center's headquarters until our rather brilliant tour guide, Paul Hammock, the Center's Director of Education, illuminated those facts.

L. P. Grant Mansion, Atlanta Preservation Center

Although the house suffered fire and has lost its top two stories, the Center is something of a museum and very well tells the story of Grant with texts, letters, artifacts, and through its restoration efforts—as it has done with so many other historic sites in Atlanta.

L. P. Grant Mansion, Atlanta Preservation Center

In addition to losing its top stories, one side of the mansion had been exposed to the elements for many, many years. Today, it's a display room showcasing artifacts and restoration efforts...I was beyond impressed even before seeing the 'before' photo above.

L. P. Grant Mansion, Atlanta Preservation Center

Of all the details in the house, I think I personally was most fascinated with the window casings, which are also being restored throughout the house. The walls of the house are two feet thick, which makes the window casings beyond substantial! 

I want windows designed like this, but I'm not sure I could find a contractor, let alone an architect, who would give me two feet thick, tumble stone walls. But you have to imagine those walls were great as an environmental control.

Map of historic Atlanta, Atlanta Preservation Center

There are a number of maps in the house...this one particularly fascinating. That's Barry pointing out a spot very near Turner Field, home of the Atlanta Braves. It'd be silly to point out how much the City has grown and changed since then, but "Wow!"

L. P. Grant Mansion, Atlanta Preservation Center

I can't talk about the Grant Mansion without talking about what the Atlanta Preservation Center does. To borrow from their website:

"The mission of The Atlanta Preservation Center is to promote the preservation of Atlanta's architecturally, historically and culturally significant buildings, neighborhoods and landscapes through education and advocacy."

In the above photo, a fellow tourist is looking through far too many buildings and homes that are currently on the Center's "Endangered Places" list...have a look, you may be surprised.

L. P. Grant Mansion, Atlanta Preservation Center

One of the things that I love about going on tours is all the information you get in a very brief amount of time that would otherwise take hours, days, and sometimes years to discover. For instance, I had no idea that Atlanta golfing legend Bobby Jones was born in this house...or that Gone With the Wind author Margaret Mitchell once had a significant interest in the home.

L. P. Grant Mansion, Atlanta Preservation Center

Back to the restoration efforts of the Grant Mansion. Lots has been done including the back porch to which was added a wheelchair lift. Many places on the house have not been 'repaired' just yet, instead leaving its history exposed. You can see the tumble stone wall construction at the left of this photo.

L. P. Grant Mansion, Atlanta Preservation Center

In a previous preview post, I mentioned an architecture graveyard. While the Atlanta Preservation Center's efforts have saved numerous homes and buildings, it can't save them all. But sometimes it acquires remnants, many of which it hopes to repurpose at some point in the future...hopefully soon.

The Atlanta Preservation Center offers a whole suite of walking tours in various historic neighborhoods in Atlanta, some of which I've been on, and I highly recommend them. Check out the Center and please, let me know what you think about preserving Atlanta's significant history.

Architecture Graveyard

There's a small "architecture graveyard" in the back yard of a domicile in Grant Park that once sat neighbor-less on 600 acres. This is not a post about that graveyard or that home, but it is an invitation to come back soon to learn more about both.

Architecture Graveyard at the L. P. Grant Mansion

We discovered this graveyard on of the recent Phoenix Flies tours, presented by the Atlanta Preservation Center. The tour was of the L. P. Grant Mansion, which is also headquarters of the Center, which I didn't know before going, so that added to its cool factor.

There's lots and lots to share about this tour, but if you'd like to do a little research before that post is published, check out the Atlanta Preservation Center's website, where there is lots of information about the Center and the Atlanta properties they're trying to save.

See all of you architecture and history buffs back here soon!

Tour: Atlanta First United Methodist Church

Part of an "organ crawl" during Phoenix Flies, presented by the Atlanta Preservation Center, was the Atlanta First United Methodist Church...as beautiful today as it was when it was built in 1903.

Atlanta First United Methodist Church , Tiffany Windows

Unbeknownst to me and the friend I was touring with, this church has a pair of stunning Tiffany windows, which I didn't recognize but my friend did immediately. A lot of the windows were paid for by church members, not the church itself, so records of cost are not complete.

According to church records, a vast majority of the windows were not yet installed when the building was completed in December 1903.

Atlanta First United Methodist Church,
Organ Pipes

Some of the organ pipes were bought over from a former church building. Turns out, that the Methodist's were the first denomination to build a church in Atlanta...back in the mid 1800s!

Atlanta First United Methodist Church

I didn't catch the capacity of the church, but it's huge! And it has massive windows. The windows were created by three different window makers, including Tiffany's of New York.

Atlanta First United Methodist Church

Even the benches are stunning, especially against a wall of stained glass.

Atlanta First United Methodist Church

This was one of my favorite windows. I think perhaps because of the color combinations I'd been seeing in other churches, heavy on the blues. This one, with its oranges, golds, and greens, really made an impression with me.

Atlanta First United Methodist Church

A closer look at one of the windows, actually a collection of windows, in the sanctuary.

Atlanta First United Methodist Church

The organ recital was beautiful and a marvelous experience given the locale of the playing.

Atlanta First United Methodist Church

Organ pipes...

Atlanta First United Methodist Church

I found myself nearly as mesmerized by the mill work in the church as I was with the stained glass windows, particularly the treatments on the balconies.

Atlanta First United Methodist Church

All of it was gorgeous...the entire building, all its stained glass, the organ playing, the tour guide hosts...it was a wonderful experience.