Cultural Resources Assessment of 148 and 158 Edgewood Avenue Atlanta, Georgia

Between July 2 and August 2, 2006, Brockington and Associates, Inc. conducted cultural resources background research concerning two potentially historic buildings located at 148 and 158 Edgewood Avenue in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia. The research was conducted for Georgia State University in compliance with the Georgia Environmental Policy Act of 1991 (GEPA). The research was conducted to determine if these buildings had been recorded during previous cultural resource investigations and if so, if National Register of Historic Places eligibility had been recommended or determined. In addition, the research was conducted to determine if the block in which these buildings are located contains any previously recorded archaeological resources, or if there is the potential for the existence of previously unrecorded archaeological resources within the block.

Background research was conducted at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Historic Preservation Division (HPD) in Atlanta. At the HPD, the Fulton County file and the NRHP files were examined. This was done to determine if the buildings were previously recorded and if they were recommended eligible for, nominated to or listed on the NRHP. Research was also conducted using the Georgia Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources Geographic Information Systems (NAHRGIS) database which includes records maintained by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Historic Preservation Division (HPD) in Atlanta and the Georgia Archaeological Site Files (GASF) at the University of Georgia, Athens.

In addition, Sanborn Fire Insurance Company maps from the early twentieth century, available in digital format from the special collections room of the Georgia State University, Pullen Library, were consulted in an attempt to determine the original use of these buildings. Furthermore, the archivist at the Georgia Power Company was consulted to determine if there is any archival information available on 148 Edgewood Avenue. The Sanborn Fire Insurance Company maps indicated this building was constructed by Georgia Power in the early twentieth century. Civil War maps and other relevant information available in The Official Military Atlas of the Civil War (Davis et. al 1983) and The Campaign For Atlanta (Scaife 1993) were also consulted to determine if significant Civil War military activity took place in the area of 148 and 158 Edgewood Avenue.

Background research found that there are no previously recorded archaeological sites in the block where 148 and 158 Edgewood Avenue are located. There are also no previously recorded archaeological sites in the adjoining blocks. However, while the buildings are not individually recommended NRHP eligible or individually nominated for or listed on the NRHP, they are within the official boundary of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Register Preservation District and the City of Atlanta Martin Luther King, Jr. Landmark District, designated by the Atlanta Urban Design Commission (Figures 1 and 2). It should be noted that this block is not within the Martin Luther King (MLK) Jr. National Historic Site or National Landmark District. The National Historic Site and the National Landmark District are located east of the Downtown Connector (1-75/85) and are centered on the intersection of Auburn Avenue and Boulevard.