The following photos were taken on a research trip to the DeKalb History Center on June 27. They were originally posted on my social media site Peach State Past.
The DeKalb County History Center is housed inside the historic 1898 courthouse. The building suffered a major fire in 1916 but was repaired soon afterward, though the cupola was not replaced. It would serve as the courthouse until 1967.
More information can be found here: https://dekalbhistory.org/blog-posts/ode-to-a-granite-place-200-years-of-history-at-the-historic-dekalb-courthouse/
Surrounding the DeKalb History Center are several markers from the Georgia Historical Society. They are mostly Civil War, with one about the county’s history.
Easily the oldest item on the Decatur Square is this boulder, quarried to make a stone bowl 3,000 years ago.
This large gun is located on Decatur Square, and I could not find a sign explaining its history. After a bit of research online, I found that it was taken off of the SS Printz Eitel Friedrich, a German ocean liner later renamed the USS DeKalb. The gun had previously been used during the Boxer Rebellion.
To learn more about the gun, check out this article: https://dekalbhistory.org/documents/DHCNEWSLETTER_summer-2009.pdf
Of all the signs to see on the Decatur Square, this one was
probably my favorite.
This beautiful structure is the Pythagoras Masonic Temple, located across the street from the old DeKalb County Courthouse. It was built in 1924 and is still used by the Masons a century later.
The First National Bank of Decatur opened in 1951. The large relief sculptures on the exterior are by Julian Hoke Harris, a sculptor known for his Atlanta work. One panel focuses on learning and culture, while the other shows industry and agriculture.
My last stop in Decatur was the historic post office, built in 1935. The exterior is an excellent example of New Deal architecture. The interior retains its original hardwood and marble floors.
Andrew J. Bramlett 