Atlanta in the Victorian Age

This blog looks at Atlanta and Georgia in that era commonly called the Victorian Age. It includes the antebellum years and extends to World War I [1914]. As an urban and architectural historian, I will include professional articles about the great architects of the period as well as their buildings, social and community life, the arts, women's rights, African-Americans and economics. All articles will be footnoted and they, along with any original images, are copyrighted.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Battle Hill Church by Leila Ross Wilburn

A 1912 view of an Atlanta church designed by the young Leila Ross Wilburn, Atlanta's second female architect [Henrietta (Hank) Dozier was the first].  Wilburn was just starting out at this time and would have a long career lasting into the 1960s.  As far as I know, this is the only church attributed to her.  This lovely little granite building was on Gordon Ave. just past Westview Cemetery in West End.  Not sure when it was demolished?  Image from the March 2, 1912 Atlanta Journal.
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3 comments:

  1. Phyllis WinchesterApril 6, 2012 at 6:27 PM

    Your blog inspired me to do some reading about Leila Ross Wilburn and, much to my surprise, she designed homes in the historic district of Ayden, NC, my father's little hometown. Ayden has a historic district? I know it has the largest collard festival in the world. Anyway, here is a description of the ca 1930 Thelbert Worthington House in Ayden from the AHD website. "...was erected from plans drawn by Leila Ross Wilburn of Atlanta, Georgia, one of the preeminent women architects in the South. The two-story, brick-veneered facade has robust Colonial Revival details, including a modillioned cornice and Doric columns on the front portico and side porch."

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  2. UnknownApril 7, 2012 at 7:20 AM

    What great information!! I am NOT an expert on Wilburn but she is a Decatur native and is buried in the Decatur Cemetery so I often do obeisance at her tomb. I also came very close to doing my doctoral dissertation on her way back when but found G. L. more fascinating. I never knew she did work in N.C. Anyway, she was the second woman architect in Atlanta. The first was Henrietta [Hank] Dozier who was around until WW I and shocked late Victorian people by wearing pants to building sites. Wish you could post a picture of the Ayden house or houses.

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  3. Faith CenterOctober 18, 2020 at 11:46 AM

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