The following article was written for the 2018 Design Equilibrium, published by the American Institute of Architects Atlanta chapter. It has been edited slightly to reflect current affairs. Enjoy!
Architects have a tremendous impact on communities, particularly when it comes to the preservation of historical structures. One example is John Carlsten who discovered the impending demolition of the Eiseman building while preparing an architectural guide for the 1975 AIA Convention. The building was to be razed for the construction of the MARTA Five Points station. Now, over 40 years later, a portion of the old Eiseman building façade still hangs prominently as public art inside the station. In this example, history brings ambience and appreciation of the past to a public setting. This inspirational factoid is a profound example of the impact Architects can have on the past, present and future.
One of the reasons Architects feel compelled to “save” gems like these is because older structures perpetuate a sense of community history. While development is inevitable, balanced development preserves the finest aspects of a community’s architectural fabric. Smyrna is reaping the fruit of new development, thanks to the new Braves Stadium; yet, many residents and visitors are unaware of the community’s rich and varied history. As an Architect, resident and member of the Smyrna Arts and Cultural Council, I wish to be on the side of history that celebrates and respects this evolution.
The City of Smyrna was incorporated in 1872 (approximately 145 years ago) and is dubbed the “Jonquil City” because of the profusion of flowers that appears on the grounds of its residences each year at springtime. Smyrna is one of the fastest growing cities in metro Atlanta and also one of the most desirable suburbs in the area. With close to 60,000 residents, the Jonquil City is also on track to become the most populous community in burgeoning Cobb County.
As a long resident of Smyrna (since 1997), I’ve watched this lovely community go through transformation while still remaining a prime location to raise a family. A “Smyrna Girl” at heart, my service to community takes place in a multitude of ways, most recently working with the City through SACC to develop the Jonquil City Historical Trail (JCHT). The journey began in 2015 when I was encouraged to pursue artful ventures in Smyrna since none existed, or so I thought. I soon learned about the formation of the Smyrna Arts and Cultural Council (SACC) and joined the Steering Committee. At the inaugural meeting, I presented to membership the idea of applying for an “Our Town” grant sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts. It was to be a collaboration between the City of Smyrna and Kennesaw State University’s Zuckerman Museum of Art. My position on the ZMA Board as Outreach Chair provided an opportunity to meaningfully engage the two organizations beyond the confines of city and campus.
As Adhoc Committee Chair, I led the initial exploration effort with a team of Arts Council members who ultimately crystallized a vision for the Trail that continues to resonate. Ultimately, the City of Smyrna decided to independently pursue a pilot project to build interest and establish a collaborative working history, which is favorable in the eyes of prospective grantors. The pilot program includes the marking of twenty sites significant to Smyrna’s development along the Atlanta Road corridor (formerly known as Dixie Highway) and an online tour accessible by any mobile-ready device. The team met regularly to set the direction for the project.
I shared the task of co-leading the JCHT initiative with Dr. William Marchione, retired history professor and Smyrna resident. He has authored a history of Smyrna (his seventh book), given countless lectures, and continues to interpret Smyrna’s history in ways that enlighten and inspire a richer sense of community. It was Dr. Marchione who generated the original Jonquil City Historical Trail proposal during Smyrna’s Strategic Visioning effort several years ago. His contribution to the JCHT initiative has been tremendous.
Dr. Marchione and I spent the next two years collaborating with the City, reviewing sites, historical content, potential programming and developing the online tour with the City’s GIS Coordinator, Kathe Roper, and Special Projects Coordinator, Maxwell Ruppersburg. The Smyrna Arts and Cultural Council and the City of Smyrna launched the JCHT in an “Opening Reception” held on October 15, 2017 at the Smyrna Public Library. Attendees learned about the development of the JCHT and participated in an abbreviated public tour of the Trail.
With the launch behind us, the trail is being refined for Phase 2 which includes permanent markers at the initial 20 sites and planning the expansion of the trail. The City and SACC continue to collaborate in hopes of raising awareness and funding to support future planning and implementation.
As the Eiseman façade story illustrates, Architects have tremendous power to impact the community in very profound ways. With the advent of increased development in Smyrna, the hope is to share the history and wonder behind the structures that make Smyrna great, some which already have been lovingly preserved (Taylor Brawner House & Hall and Aunt Fanny’s Cabin). Our historical “gems” bring truth and meaning to the modern world. As Lord Acton quotes, “History is not a burden on the memory, but an illumination of the soul.” We seek to highlight the stories so that a deeper sense of belonging can be experienced by all.
Please be part of the journey by participating and following the JCHT page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jonquilcityhistoricaltrail/. Take the online tour of Smyrna’s history at http://arcg.is/1mnanP. See you on the trail!
Shaun Martin Architect 