“this is about more than color. It is about how we learn to see ourselves. it is about geography and memory.” ~Lucille Clifton, “the river between us” in Mercy
Figure B-1: Southern sharecroppers Courtesy of Atlanta Black Star
ABSTRACT Community history highlights the achievements and values of residents, validates lived experiences, emphasizes intergenerational connections and social cohesion, and provides broader context to both local and national histories. Community history projects aim to foster a strong sense of identity and pride among residents, preserve local heritage, and most importantly, use the information as a resource for building civic consciousness. This report centers the Black experience of Buttermilk Bottom and Butler Street through stories of resilience and community such that even through the process of urban renewal the cultural significance of these neighborhoods shines through. Bedford Pines included several neighborhoods, the best known is Buttermilk Bottom, and others include Butler Street, Chestnut Way, Irwin Street, and Angier Avenue, among others. All these neighborhoods were extremely significant in fortifying the Black main street, Auburn Avenue, as the richest “Negro” street in the United States in 1956. Despite the many challenges, including biased media portrayals and the displacement caused by urban renewal policies, the spirit and legacies of these neighborhoods endures. This document is written to give an account of primarily the Buttermilk Bottom community’s history and is a testament to the strength and determination of its residents, whose efforts to secure better living conditions and preserve their cultural heritage continue to inspire. A network of neighborhoods is mentioned to create a whole picture of the landscape in which Buttermilk Bottom existed. As Atlanta moves forward with new redevelopment projects like the Stitch, it is crucial to honor the memory of all the neighborhoods of Bedford Pines and ensure that Descendent voices are included in shaping the future of the city. To repair the harm left by past
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