ATLANTApix: World War I Memorial

Pershing Point Park World War I Memorial

Tucked away in a small triangle at the intersection of Peachtree Street and West Peachtree Street, Pershing Point Park, is a World War I memorial dedicated to the fallen heroes from Fulton County. This little known memorial has stood since 1920.

Pershing Point Park was named for General John J. Pershing, Commander of the American Expeditionary Forces of World War I. It was December 3, 1918 that the Atlanta Parks Commission officially honored Pershing bestowing the triangular park with his namesake.

On September 20, 1920, the War Mothers' Service Star Legion, a group of mothers, sisters and wives of servicemen, dedicated the memorial, which lists the name of each soldier lost during the War.

ATLANTApix and ATLANTAvidz of the tourATLANTA blog features a daily photo or video relative to Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

ATLANTApix: Olympic Cauldrons

Cauldron on The Olympic Way

A portion of The Olympic Way, also known as Capitol Avenue, is lined with alternating colossal cauldrons and towering pylons, rather impressive remnants from the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games hosted by Atlanta.

On the side facing the street, the cauldrons have placards 11-bricks-high with etchings that depict various Olympic sports and are inscribed with "Life Provides Few Grand Moments for Celebrating the Remarkable Range and Pleasure of Human Talent."

ATLANTApix and ATLANTAvidz of the tourATLANTA blog features a daily photo or video relative to Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

ATLANTApix: "The Rites of Spring"

"The Rites of Spring"

The Rites of Spring, a remarkably beautiful sculpture depicting symmetry and balance, is located on the grounds of Suntrust Plaza on the north end of downtown Atlanta. It was one of the last commissioned works by Elbert Weinberg.

A longtime friend of Atlanta architect John Portman, Weinberg's works also adorn Portman projects in San Francisco and Sea Island. Weinberg was awarded the Prix de Rome while studying in Italy before his eventual return to the United States. He passed away in 1991 leaving his estate and unsold art to his only daughter, Julia.

ATLANTApix and ATLANTAvidz of the tourATLANTA blog features a daily photo or video relative to Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

ATLANTApix: Dr. John S. Pemberton

Dr. John S. Pemberton, creator of Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola, headquartered in Atlanta, is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2011. Standing in the middle of Pemberton Place, named for the creator of the Coca-Cola formula, is a bronze statue of Dr. John S. Pemberton (who happens to look a lot like my step-father, another pretty amazing person) lifting a glass of Coca-Cola to the sky as if to offer his globally-loved creation to the world.

Pemberton Place is on a parcel of land in downtown Atlanta immediately adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park, donated by The Coca-Cola Company, that is home to Georgia Aquarium and The World of Coca-Cola.

Coca-Cola is among the few retail logos recognized literally around the entire globe. And every tour of the World of Coca-Cola concludes with a visit to "Taste It!" where you can savor Coke flavors from around the world...an enticing destination on a hot Atlanta day!

ATLANTApix and ATLANTAvidz of the tourATLANTA blog features a daily photo or video relative to Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

ATLANTApix: Benjamin Hill

Benjamin Harvey Hill

Benjamin Harvey Hill, depicted in a marble stautue that today resides on the main floor of the Georgia Capitol Building, was actively involved in Georgia politics for three decades with his final title being U.S. Senator for the State of Georgia.

Confederate President, Jefferson Davis, was in Atlanta on this day in 1886 at the behest of Henry Grady, Managing Editor of the Atlanta Constitution, on a trip to speak at the dedication of the Benjamin Hill statue. Davis is one of the three Confederate leaders depicted horseback on Stone Mountain.

ATLANTApix and ATLANTAvidz of the tourATLANTA blog features a daily photo or video relative to Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

ATLANTApix: Boys and Girls Club Sculpture Garden

Sculpture Garden at the
Boys and Girls Club of America headquarters

In front of the national headquarters of the Boys and Girls Club of America (BGCA), at 1275 Peachtree Street, is a sculpture garden dedicated to the memory of Hays Clark.

Clark was on the National Board of Governors of the Boys and Girls Club of America. He founded several clubs in Florida and was involved with others. Today, there are more than 4,000 Clubs.

The sculpture garden features nine bronze statues of children, one with three figures (photo). The statues show children playing (baseball, soccer) and studying (on a laptop, with a magnifying glass, reading a book).

In addition to the sculpture garden, established in appreciation of Clark's contributions to the BGCA, Clark was honored with the Herbert Hoover Humanitarian Award. President Hoover was one of the founding fathers of the Boys and Girls Club.

ATLANTApix of the tourATLANTA blog features a "photo-of-the-day" of Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

ATLANTApix: The Phoenix

Atlanta From the Ashes (The Phoenix)

Atlanta From the Ashes is locally known as The Phoenix. The mythical Egyptian bird, the Phoenix, has long been the (unofficial) symbol of Atlanta. It too rose from the ashes.

The 21-foot bronze statue, commissioned by The Rich Foundation for the 100th anniversary for its downtown department store, was moved to Woodruff Park in downtown Atlanta for the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Coincidentally, the pink granite building in the background (left) is the Georgia Pacific Tower, which stands where the Loew's Grand Theatre once stood, the theatre where Gone With the Wind premiered. Gone With the Wind was set during the American Civil War when Atlanta was basically burned to the ground...burned to the ashes from whence she rose.

You may have noticed that I also chose the Phoenix for the tourATLANTA logo. This blog has in large part been a means through which to rebuild my relationship with Atlanta and her citizens. And that I get to share my experiences with readers around the world and hopefully encourage many of you to step out and explore the city is a great reward for me.

ATLANTApix of the tourATLANTA blog features a "photo-of-the-day" of Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!