Richard R.
Yelp
Next up in my Black History Month series is THE HERNDON HOME, built by Georgia's 1st BLACK MILLIONARE.
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A National Historic Landmark, the Herndon Home Museum is the only privately owned African-American HOUSE museum in the country. The home was completed in 1910 and according to tour footage I found online, Alonzo Herndon built the house to convince his wife Adrienne to stay in Atlanta.
During his time period, the Atlanta Massacre of 1906 occurred, were armed mobs of white Americans attacked black Americans beginning the evening of September 22nd and lasted through September 24, 1906. It is said the mobs killed dozens of black Georgians, wounded scores of others, and inflicted considerable property damage. The catalyst for the race war is thought to be in part the rise of affluent blacks. In a nutshell, the general consensus was that Blacks needed to be kept "in their place". You see, in the late 1800's, Black Men were given the right to vote, became more involved in politics, began to establish businesses, create social networks, built communities and acquired wealth, education, and prestige.
The mob attacked Black-Owned Businesses, including Alonzo Herndon's barbershop, which was closed at the time. However, a neighboring shop was targeted by the rioters and the barbers were killed. The mobs also attacked streetcars, beating both black men and women. Of those, it was confirmed at least three men were beaten to death.
Adrienne Herndon (a professor @ what is now Clark-Atlanta University) wanted out of Atlanta for safety of her family. But Alonzo had established his wealth with not only a string of barbershops and real estate investments, but also founded Atlanta Life Insurance Company located in the Sweet Auburn Historic District. Alonzo bought run down homes and fixed them up for other blacks to have decent affordable housing. Clearly he had a lot tied up in Atlanta and this home was meant to be Adrienne's SAFE PLACE.
Unfortunately, Adrienne died of Addison's disease three months after the home was completed. They had one son, Norris, and in 1912 Alonzo remarried to Jessie Gillespie.
The riots inspired W. E. B. Du Bois to write a powerful poem called "The Litany of Atlanta," in the wake of the riot's: https://www.bartleby.com/269/26.html
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The Herndon home is a two-story, 15-room Beaux Arts mansion built by local black craftsmen. It was built on what is known as DIAMOND HILL, the highest natural elevation in the city of Atlanta and is said to have silk wallpaper, Persian rugs and ornate wood carvings inside. After slavery, Alonzo sold peanuts and molasses on the side of the road and saved his earnings. He used the money to eventually travel to Atlanta where he became a barber, then real estate investor then life insurance founder. The Herndon Home represents a grand romantic gesture from a slave turned millionaire to his wife.
It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2000 and is a phenomenal story of one man's rise from slavery to wealth in the thriving black metropolis of Atlanta. I agree with Patte S's review: How is this story not a movie yet???
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[ FINAL THOUGHTS ]
While I was not able to visit the interior of the home due to COVID-19 precautions keeping it closed temporarily, I could not help but come anyway to walk the grounds and absorb the untold history of rags to riches black success hidden in an area not well visited. Yet here it lies, in the shadows of the 1.5 billion Dollar Mercedes-Benz Stadium fighting to remain relevant in the midst of land deals and construction.
Often I am saddened by the lack of preservation and enthusiasm of important black history, as there are really no signs promoting this home. Others around it lie boarded-up and in disrepair. You wouldn't know this 8,000 square foot 100-year-old home was historically significant or the love story that caused its creation. Yet even in its meager surroundings, it is as important a building as any in the foundation of this city and this country. Thankfully someone continues the fight to keep this amazing piece of Atlanta and American History alive!
2021 / 25
