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Neighborhood Info
Founded in 1837 as the endpoint of the Western and Atlantic Railroad, Atlanta was originally (and appropriately) named Terminus. This tiny town of Terminus with a population of 20 evolved into what is now Downtown Atlanta. Downtown is the city’s largest business district and home to several major corporate headquarters and iconic high-rise buildings. But downtown Atlanta isn’t all business. Other attractions include Centennial Olympic Park, The Georgia Aquarium, The World of Coca-Cola, The Center for Civil and Human Rights, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Falcons), and Phillips Arena (Atlanta Hawks). The Georgia State University Campus is also in Downtown Atlanta. This map covers most of Downtown. However, you will find the Southwestern section of Downtown on the Castleberry Hill and Southwest Downtown Map. If you have a little extra time, Castleberry Hill is well worth the trip.
Street Art in the Neighborhood
Many Atlantans don’t think of Downtown as a street art neighborhood, but the murals and large-scale graffiti walls are there. For example, most of the three million annual visitors to Centennial Olympic Park are completely oblivious to the huge graffiti wall by Hense (Alex Brewer) less than a minute away. There are several other great murals within a short walk of the park. The street art tends to be located in smaller widely dispersed pockets. One not to be missed pocket of street art is along Auburn Ave on the east edge of Downtown. This area includes the 65 foot monumental mural of civil rights icon John Lewis by the Loss Prevention. Nearby, is the dramatic mural of human rights and civil rights activist Ella Baker by artist Charmaine Minniefield.