Annual Grant Park Tour of Homes

Atlanta, GA -
Tour Atlanta's original intown neighborhood, just steps from downtown, at the 35th annual Grant Park Tour of Homes. The fall spectacular gathers around a celebration of the neighborhood’s historic appeal, trends, diverse architecture and lifestyle centered around Atlanta’s oldest park, Grand Park.

Annual Grant Park Tour of Homes

September 27-28, 2008

Where: Grant Park

Website: GrantParkTour.org

Grant Park, from which the neighborhood derived its name, dates back from 1881. Grant Park’s namesake, Lemeul Pratt (L.P.) Grant, moved to Atlanta in the 1840’s. L.P. was instrumental in bringing rail to Atlanta, spawning one of Atlanta’s many growth spurts. In several historical accounts he was referred to as the “Father of Atlanta”. Col. Grant gifted or traded 100 acres for the establishment of Grant Park and 88 acres, which became Oakland Cemetery. The rest of L.P.’s land was subdivided between 1885 and 1905 during one of Atlanta’s many building booms.

Grant Park is home to Zoo Atlanta and the Cyclorama, and features picnic pavilions, walking trails, playgrounds, athletic facilities, and a one-acre pond. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

This years tour features fourteen historic residences. In addition, the tour will feature original artwork and live musicians in selected homes! Special stops on the tour include St. Paul Methodist Church, Park Avenue Baptist Church, The Grant Mansion and Oakland Cemetery, where Gone With the Wind author Margaret Mitchell, golfing legend Bobby Jones, other prominent Atlantans, and Confederate soldiers are buried.

Tour dates are, Saturday, September 27th (10am-6pm) and Sunday, September 28th from 12pm-6pm. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 on the day of and are on sale at www.GrantParkTour.org and at area businesses, including Grant Central Pizza, Stella, Solstice Cafe, Six Feet Under and the Grant Park Conservancy Office. Proceeds will benefit the Grant Park Neighborhood Association to support area initiatives and civic groups.

For more information, call 404-586-9999.