Thursday, January 17, 2013

What's That? The Alvin B Avery Memorial Garden

UPDATE from Flo at the end:

There's SOMETHING over there. I was going from Howell Mill to Inman Park and forgot that Deering is closed. So I reversed course on 17th at Reservoir Drive. and decided to have a look.

 
Does anyone know of Mr. Avery, how he lost his life? I can't find anything on the web.

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Every designer headed for Forsyth Fabrics, every with-it dinner headed to White Provision, every west side commuter has been here. We're on 17th just northwest of Ikea, at the intersection of Northside. The waterworks lakes are ahead and to the right.

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Even in the winter it's hard to see. But there's a flagpole in the trees.You'd never see this in leafy season.

P1150543-2013-01-17--flagpole-Alvin-B-Avery-1956-1989-Memorial-Garden-Atlanta-Water-Bureau-view-from-17th
As you head west to where 17th T-bones Howell Mill, you catch something to the right. At 30 mph you can't tell what it is but it looks more organized than it should.

P1150452-2013-01-16-Alvin-B-Avery-1956-1989-Memorial-Garden-Atlanta-Water-Bureau--dd
It's a memorial garden in this noble setting, a place of honor.

It's easy to park here. It's quiet, as if you are in a secret place. There a lake to the west and a city view to the south and east. You are probably alone.

P1150452-2013-01-16-Alvin-B-Avery-1956-1989-Memorial-Garden-Atlanta-Water-Bureau-detail
The fence is locked.

P1150451-2013-01-16-Alvin-B-Avery-1956-1989-Memorial-Garden-Atlanta-Water-Bureau
It's so overgrown I couldn't figure out the design.

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I'm glad I payed my respects.


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Update: 2013-01-18
... That tiny park is surely a love story. I almost hesitate to question/research it. But "gave his life" sounds like he may have died on the job, in an accident at the waterworks. I shall keep looking, I've alerted my brother who worked as a land planner for many years in ATL.

Here is his grave:  http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=48160390

So young. https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/J2DY-1Z6

Determined to find a published obituary, back later when I locate one.

All best,
Flo

3 comments:

  1. Who knew? Have you done any research about the man and why the memorial garden is there? Tucked away as it is it has the feel of a personal memorial by co-workers and friends at the waterworks.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm not even sure many in the Water Department know after 23 years. Maybe someone will.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AJC Aug 25, 1989. "Worker Electrocuted, Another Hurt Installing Pipes" An Atlanta Water Bureau employee was electrocuted and another was burned Thursday afternoon when the small crane they were using to install-water main pipes touched an overhead electric wire. The two men were installing the pipe at the corner of Vedado Way and Eighth Street near Grady High School when the accident occurred about 11:30 am, a Water Bureau spokesman said. A Georgia Power Co. spokeswoman said the line carries 12,000 volts of electricity. The dead employee has not been identified pending notification of his family, police said. The second worker, Otis Johnson, was listed in guarded condition at Grady Memorial Hospital, a spokesman said.

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