The Project
This research and public education work documents the presence of a vibrant African American pioneer community located in and around what is now Candler Park, Atlanta, beginning in the 1870s. We encourage your participation in this ongoing inquiry, along with the Antioch East Baptist Church, First Existentialist Congregation, Candler Park Neighborhood Organization, Edgewood and Candler Park neighbors, GA State University, additional schools and community partners. Together with the stakeholders, we are building respectful connections through research and fellowship to unveil obscured dimensions of our local history. This inclusive work offers a mindful platform for understanding our interconnected roles in the legacy and future of our Atlanta community.
“The beginnings of the area called Candler Park can be traced back to a city called Edgewood formally incorporated in 1898. The 1910 census shows the population of the area was 59% Black and 41% White. The racial makeup of the area between 1910 and 1920 shifted to 89% White and 11% Black. It was during this time that the Antioch Baptist Church belonging to a Black congregation was burned on (what is now) Oakdale Rd., and rebuilt on (what is now) Candler Park Dr. This Black community developed in the late nineteenth century on what would become the southwest edge of Candler Park. The development began when a White, married woman bought a piece of property, subdivided it, and sold it to Black individuals. These individuals and their families developed it into a thriving community, with two major institutions, a church and a social lodge.” Research by Amy Meyer (Burns) 1995, GA State University.
We continue with this research and welcome your input to help us gather the most accurate information, photos and oral histories about this historic biracial neighborhood. Thank you for your interest.
Historic Markers Initiative
Our Historic Markers Initiative places informative markers at well-documented African American Legacy Sites in the Candler Park neighborhood. Please refer to our Walking Tour Map to see where these sites are located and to read historic details.
The concept for the Legacy Markers comes from surviving African American Elders and their descendants whose families were early residents in the Candler Park area. It is our intent to further this community education work while the Elders are still with us, to publicly honor the history they lived on this land that was their post- Civil War community’s homeplace.
The BiRacial History Project has received funds for the Legacy Markers Initiative from the Unitarian Universalist Funding Program, Candler Park Neighborhood Organization, 420-Oakdale/Tern Valley Group, First Existentialist Congregation, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, and more than 100 friends and neighbors.
If you would like to help support this ongoing educational project, please make your tax-deductible donations to the BiRacial History Project, PO Box 5567, Atlanta GA 31107 (sorry, no PayPal, Zelle, or Venmo for now). —project manager Edith Kelman (long-time Candler Park resident)