Last Updated on May 28, 2026 by Tami
I’m not going to pretend to be an expert on Black history, but I do believe everyone should be more educated. To that end, my husband and I decided to take advantage of the opportunities we have while serving a church mission in Atlanta. There is a wealth of information and historic sites here in Atlanta, some of which are very close to where we are living. Since February is also Black History Month, it seemed very fitting to explore historic Sweet Auburn, home of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Pro Tip: A wonderful way to explore Sweet Auburn is with a guided historic tour offered by Atlanta Ghosts, called ‘MLK, Jr. Walking in His Footsteps‘, This intimate guided tour will teach you many interesting facts you wouldn’t learn on your own. You’ll be able to ask questions as well. On a return visit, we took this 2-hour walking tour. We were surprised at how much more there was to learn about Martin Luther King, Jr. and his neighborhood. And much more than I can write about in this article! Use the code POSTCARDS for 10% off your own guided walking tour.
Please allow me to share with you some of the highlights of our explorations…
Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, 407 Auburn Ave.
During Black History Month, there are ranger-led talks scheduled in two locations in historic Sweet Auburn: the Ebenezer Baptist Church and the birth home of Martin Luther King, Jr. We began with the “Church talk” led by a very knowledgeable park ranger in the basement and upstairs chapel of the Ebenezer Baptist Church. During other times, there are films, exhibits, and artifacts in the church — and self-guided experiences.
Our tour and talk began in the basement of the church. The park ranger shared a lot of information about the history of Ebenezer Baptist Church, and the names of the senior pastors, including both Martin Luther King’s maternal grandfather and his father. We learned that Martin Luther King, Jr. was a co-pastor with his father, beginning in 1960.
Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered a sermon, known as the “Drum Major Instinct” exactly two weeks before he was assassinated. From things he said, to hymns he chose for the service, you might think he knew he wasn’t going to live much longer. For example, one of the hymns he chose to sing was “Lord, I’m Coming Home.”
In the basement of the church, we saw the carriage that Martin Luther King, Jr.’s casket was carried in from one funeral service to the other. Yes, there were two funeral services for him!
Upstairs in the main chapel, we saw the pulpit where Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his last sermon as well as the hymn boards listing the four hymn numbers sung. We also learned another story we had never heard before. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s mother was shot as she played the organ six years after his assassination. What a tragic incident! Her husband, Martin Luther King, Sr made a comment in 1976: “I do not hate the man who took the life of my dead son. I am not going to hate the young man who came and killed my wife. I am every man’s brother. I’m going on with my job.”
King Center’s Freedom Hall, 449 Auburn Ave.
Right next to the Ebenezer Baptist Church is the King Center. Here we walked through the beautiful grounds, read inspirational quotes from Martin and Coretta King, and saw their tomb. It sits in the middle of a reflecting pool that represents Martin Luther King, Jr.’s call for justice to “roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.” There is also the Eternal Flame that symbolizes the continuing effort to create King’s dream of the “Beloved Community” –a vision of justice, peace, and equality for all mankind.
Inside the Freedom Hall, there are many interesting exhibits focused on Martin Luther King, Jr., Coretta Scott King, Rosa Parks, and Mahatma Gandhi. There was also a lovely tribute to Reverend Jesse Jackson, who recently passed away.
Historic Fire Station No. 6, 39 Boulevard NE
The historic Fire Station No. 6 is currently serving as the Visitor Center for the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park while the park service visitor center is undergoing renovations. Here you can learn about firefighter history in this station as well as black history. In the 1960’s this fire station became one of Atlanta’s first racially integrated firehouses. There is a 1927 LaFrance fire engine on display. We also saw a display on Jim Crow laws and the Green Book, the “bible of Black travel”.
Another added feature of Black History Month is the Scavenger Hunt offered to all visitors to the historic Sweet Auburn district. We found copies at the historic fire station, with questions like “What year was the fire truck engine on display built?” or “What was Martin Luther King, Jr.’s first name at birth and when was his name changed?” Once you’ve completed all the questions, you can return it to the fire station information desk to earn a commemorative prize.
Eastern National Bookstore and Museum Shop, 497 Auburn Ave.
This bookstore/museum is in a historic home next to Martin Luther King Jr.’s birth home. In a front room, there is a large window looking towards the birth home with benches. This is where park rangers begin guided tours of the birth home. There are also several photos of rooms inside the home.
The rest of the ground floor of this home is dedicated to exhibits and items for purchase commemorating Martin Luther King, Jr. Offerings showcase his writings and quotes, along with other memorabilia. My husband and I were quite impressed with the selection of books and were not able to resist buying several of them. Perhaps you’ll enjoy the assortment of water bottles, postcards, key chains, magnets, and other items displaying MLK quotes or photos.
King Birth Home, 501 Auburn Ave.
This beautiful two-story Queen Anne-style frame house was built in 1895. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born here in an upstairs bedroom, in 1929. He lived with his parents, maternal grandparents, siblings, uncle and great aunt for his first twelve years. We learned the reason why Martin Luther King, Jr. was born at home was because the King family refused to use a hospital that segregated its patients. They were always taking a stand on civil rights. In fact, the King home was often the location for meetings of local leaders and others who lent their support to the Civil Rights cause.
As you probably know, Martin Luther King, Jr. went on to become the most prominent leader of the American Civil Rights Movement. He was inspired by his Christian faith and the peaceful activism of Mahatma Gandhi. King advocated for racial equality through nonviolent civil disobedience.
He is best known for his “I Have a Dream” speech delivered during the 1963 March on Washington. That speech helped lead to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. In 1964, at age 35, he became the youngest person, at the time, to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
The King Birth Home is currently closed for extensive rehabilitation. The renovation was supposed to be completed by November 2025, but was not yet finished in February 2026. Check out the Atlanta News website for a walk-through of the home before renovation began.
Historic Sweet Auburn Residential Area, 474-526 Auburn Ave.
This is the neighborhood where Martin Luther King, Jr. grew up. These homes housed his neighbors and friends. Today, they have been restored and used as park offices or private residences. There are wayside exhibits displaying some history of the Sweet Auburn community. During the “Jim Crow” era, Auburn Avenue was known as the “richest black street in the world.” Homes on this street included the residences of the pastor of Wheat Street Baptist Church and the principal of Booker T. Washington High School.
The row houses were known as “Shotgun Homes” because the interior and exterior doors are aligned. A shot supposedly could be fired through them from front to back.
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park Visitor Center, 450 Auburn Ave
This is a very impressive Visitor Center with beautiful grounds, but it is currently closed for renovations. Reviews from visitors before the closure highlight the following:
-
The “Courage to Lead” exhibit follows the parallel paths of Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement.
-
Many families praise the “Children of Courage” exhibit, designed to engage younger visitors by describing children’s roles in the movement.
-
This is the only location to sign up for the popular ranger-led tours of Dr. King’s Birth Home. Free tickets are first-come, first-served and disappear quickly. The consensus is to arrive at the visitor center right when it opens at 9:00 AM.
-
National Park Service rangers help visitors plan their route through various historic Sweet Auburn sites.
-
The visitor center is fully accessible and includes necessary amenities like clean restrooms, a gift shop, and maps.
A Few More Historic Sweet Auburn Locations
Driving around the Sweet Auburn district revealed a few more historic sites you might be interested in:
- Martin Luther King Jr.’s elementary school, 551 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE
- The Masonic Hall served as headquarters for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Martin Luther King, Jr. had an office here to organize campaigns. Address is 330 Auburn Ave.
- Madam C.J. Walker museum, at 54 Hilliard St E, along with the first Black-owned radio station. Admission $7-$8, Open Tues-Fri, Sat-Sun limited hours.
Note: This article is also featured on GPSmyCity.
To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Atlanta.
Interesting Facts About Historic Sweet Auburn
- Sweet Auburn became a hub for African American commerce and culture during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The area was home to prominent figures, including civil rights leaders and successful black-owned businesses.
- While you’re out walking, keep your eyes opened to spot beautiful art and murals.
- Most of the historic sites in Sweet Auburn are now managed by the National Park Service. More historic Sweet Auburn sites are being added in the future, including historic homes in MLK’s neighborhood. Please see the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park website for more details. Because this is a national park, you can “stamp” your National Park Service “passports” here.
- Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church has been operating for 136 years. In that time, there have only been 5 Senior Pastors.
- We enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Thumbs Up Diner, not far from most of historic Sweet Auburn. Staff was welcoming and friendly — food was amazing!
- There is plenty of free parking in Sweet Auburn. There is street parking as well as a large parking lot behind the National Park Visitor Center. Signs posted in many buildings remind you to lock your doors and remove valuable items.
- All of the historic Sweet Auburn sites are free with the exception of the Madam C.J. Walker museum.
Hope you enjoy duplicating our discovery of Sweet Auburn in Atlanta. We learned so much and really appreciated the opportunity to think about all that has happened here and how it has influenced the world!
If you’re interested in other Atlanta sights, see:Â
A Perfect Day Trip to Roswell, GA
A Friendly Guide to Ponce City Market
The Vinings Guide: Blend of Riverside History and Village Charm
Walking Atlanta’s Circle of Transformation: The Atlanta Beltline
Fernbank Museum with Children: A Perfect Outing
What a cool place. Martin Luther King Jr. had always been an inspiration to me!
The hours passed quickly walking in the footsteps of MLK Jr & Coretta Scott & thinking about their legacy. What a blessing they are to the nation & the world!