Indigent Burials

What do homemade concrete sculptures, Black temporary headstones, and a tribute to Hank Aaron’s historic 715th home run have in common? They’re all part of the story of Eldren Bailey (1903–1987), an African American folk artist and gravestone maker who transformed his yard into an outdoor sculpture garden.  Join me and Cynthia Jennings, photographer and historian who has documented over 1,600 of Bailey’s headstones, as we explore the life and legacy of the artist and the importance of preserving his place in Atlanta’s history.   Want to support this podcast? Visit here Email: [email protected] Facebook | Instagram 

This week, the Halloween episode crew is back together, as Cynthia and Liz join me for a look at how Atlanta did and does handle indigent burials. I learned about the terms indigent and Potter's Field and the process for burying indigent dead in Atlanta and Fulton County. From Oakland Cemetery to the current site in Palmetto, this is a fascinating look at an often overlooked public service.  Want to support this podcast? Visit here Email: [email protected] Facebook | Instagram 

This week, I am re-releasing an episode from 2023 with Liz Clappin (Tomb With A View) where we talk about the history of cremation and why Atlanta did not get its first crematorium until the 1980s, which is  a century behind the rest of the United States. It’s a story of race, religion, class and tradition and you don’t want to miss it. Follow Tomb With A View on IG   Want to support this podcast? Visit here Email: [email protected] Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

In this short episode, we're covering pizza: from an Italian immigrant food into an American obsession. Pizza first shows up in Atlanta in 1948 and by 1955, it's the latest food craze. We’ll meet the people and places that helped introduce Atlanta to pizza, from Cesar’s and Biuso’s to Gigi’s, Pizza King and the arrival of Pizza Hut. And, of course, Mellow Mushroom.   Want to support this podcast? Visit here Email: [email protected] Facebook | Instagram 

This week, we’re heading to Home Park to trace the story of a neighborhood that grew alongside Atlantic Steel - from working-class homes and booming industry to student rentals and, eventually, the transformation of the old mill into Atlantic Station. Along the way, we’ll dig into labor strikes, race and class, Georgia Tech’s expansion, and the legacy of a neighborhood that has changed dramatically over more than a century. Want to support this podcast? Visit here Email: [email protected] Facebook | Instagram 

This week, we’re covering the story of the Sixth Federal Reserve District, or the Atlanta Federal Reserve, as it was often called. We’re covering why the Federal Reserve was started, its choosing of Atlanta for a district branch, it’s three different locations and how it fared through WWI, the cotton crisis, the Great Depression, WWII and the Civil Rights Movement. The story of the Atlanta Fed is a story about Atlanta becoming the capital of the New South.   Want to support this podcast? Visit here Email: [email protected] Facebook | Instagram 

In April 1949, Metropolitan Opera singer John Garris came to Atlanta to perform at the Fox Theatre—but by the next morning, he was dead in an alley off Marietta Street. His murder launched a bizarre investigation that sent detectives across the country chasing mysterious men, possible lovers, stolen cars and a convicted killer, but no one was ever charged. Police quickly focused on Garris’ relationships with men, raising questions about whether his sexuality shaped the investigation—or even played a role in his death. Seventy-seven years later, who killed John Garris remains one of Atlanta’s unsolved mysteries.   Want to support this podcast? Visit here Email: [email protected] Facebook | Instagram 

Atlanta's Neighborhood Planning Units—or NPUs—have been shaping how residents engage with City Hall for nearly 50 years, but what exactly are they, and why do they exist? This week, inspired by my own quest to explore every NPU in the city, we're diving into the fascinating history behind Atlanta's unique system of neighborhood representation. From the end of the ward system and the rise at-large voting, to the years of debates over how to structure the NPU system, we'll explore how NPUs came to be, what power they actually have, and why they're still one of the city's most debated institutions today.   Want to support this podcast? Visit here Email: [email protected] Facebook | Instagram 

This week, I got the chance to interview Megan Maloof, the general manager of Atlanta's iconic Manuel's Tavern. We talked about her grandfather founding the tavern, his hopes for a space for community, the long time employees and patrons. I found out whose ashes are over the bar and what Megan's favorite item is on the walls. This year, Manuel's Tavern is celebrating 70 YEARS with a party on August 6th.  Manuel's on IG Manuel's on FB   Want to support this podcast? Visit here Email: [email protected] Facebook | Instagram   

I am taking a podcasting summer break and will return July 17th.