Thursday, September 30, 2010

Things found behind a chimney in Capitol View

Clicking on a picture will enlarge it.





































Stewart Avenue Substation


Info from Margaret Calhoun the archivist at Georgia Power:
This is the Stewart Avenue Substation built by a predecessor company of Georgia Power, the Georgia Railway and Power Company. In the early 1920s the power company had frequent interruptions of power so three small substations were built to strengthen direct current streetcar service in Atlanta. At least two of these, the Spring Street Substation and the Moreland Avenue Substation were designed by the electric company's corporate architect, Isaac. Moscowitz. The Stewart Avenue Substation uses many of the same elements as the other two. The drawings have not survived to determine for sure, but we assume that Moscowitz designed this, also.

I had inquired as to the possibility that J. Neel Reid had designed the building. They do not have that information, but if anyone knows anything about that, please let me know!

Ostrich Farm

According to Atlanta, yesterday, today and tomorrow, by John R. Hornady published 1922, there used to be an ostrich farm across the street from the Lakewood Fairgrounds. According to Hornady, this ostrich farm was the largest farm of its type east of the Rockies. Now, early city boosters are often given to hyperbole, however it would be interesting to know if anyone has heard something about this.