[Illustration: WASHINGTON STREET.]
[Illustration: CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.]
Rainfall by Months.
The normal precipitation by months by the Weather Bureau:
January, 5.10 inches; February, 5.23; March, 5.65; April, 4.23; May, 3.38;
June, 4.04; July, 4.22; August, 4.58; September, 3.51; October, 2.36;
November, 3.49; December, 4.29.
The annual average rainfall is 50.08.
Parks.
Atlanta has several fine parks and places of resort.
The L. P. Grant Park, on the edge of the city near a battle-field of 1864,
is a sylvan retreat of rare beauty, with a Zoo and Cyclorama added to the
attractions of nature. It is the resort of picnic parties from the
surrounding towns for many miles.
Piedmont Park, the site of fairs and expositions, is in the suburbs, half
a mile beyond the city limits, on one of the battle-grounds of the Civil
War. It has a lake and a picturesque site, with a number of large
buildings.
Lakewood, as its name suggests, affords opportunity for aquatic sports.
The same is true of East Lake, where there is elaborate provision for
bathing. Ponce de Leon Springs, within the city limits, and the
Chattahoochee River, eight miles out, are places of resort.
The Kirkwood Land Company has in preparation one of the most beautiful
residence parks in America, and Atkins Park will be another place of
loveliness.
To all these parks and places of resort there is an excellent street-car
service. The exposition grounds at Piedmont Park also have connection with
the city by the Southern Railway.
Department of the Gulf.
In 1903 the Department of the Gulf, U. S. Army, was re-established and
headquarters located at Atlanta, and the following officers are in
command: Brigadier-General Thomas H. Berry, commanding; Major Millard F.
Waltz, Adjutant General; Major Lewis E. Goodier, Judge-Advocate;
Lieut.-Colonel Samuel R. Jones, Chief Quartermaster; Lieut.-Colonel Henry
B. Osgood, Chief Commissary; Lieut.-Colonel Edwin F. Gardiner, Chief
Surgeon; Major Elijah W. Halford, Chief Paymaster; Captain Manly B. Curry,
Paymaster; Lieut. H. H. Sheen, A. D. C.; Lieut. A. M. Ferguson, A. D. C.
Fort McPherson.
An Army post is always an attraction because of the parades and the music,
and its disbursements add materially to a city's income. Fort McPherson,
four miles out on the Central of Georgia Railway and two car lines, is one
of the best-constructed posts in the United States and much visited by
citizens.
It is a community in itself, with an independent waterworks system and a
complete system of sewerage. There are permanent barracks, ample for one
regiment, and during the Spanish War several thousand soldiers were
quartered here at one time by using wooden barracks in addition. The
officers' quarters are unusually good, and there is a well-appointed
hospital.
[Illustration: CAPITOL AVENUE--VIEW FROM WOODWARD AVENUE.]
[Illustration: RESIDENCE OF ASA G. CANDLER.]
Hospitals.
In the Grady Hospital Atlanta has a large and well-equipped institution
supported by the city. There are in addition, St. Joseph's Infirmary and
the Presbyterian Hospital, besides a number of excellent sanatoriums
conducted by physicians, notably those of Drs. Elkin and Cooper, Dr. Noble
and Dr. Robinson, the Halcyon and the National Surgical Institute.
Churches.
Atlanta has 141 churches and the attendance on religious services is one
of the noticeable features of the city's life. This city is headquarters
for several important denominational organizations, especially those of
missionary work. It is the home of the Bishop of Georgia, Right Reverend
C. K. Nelson (Episcopal), and of Bishop W. A. Candler of the Methodist
Church.
The Baptist Home Mission Board is located here, and there is a similar
organization of the Presbyterian Church represented. The Catholic Marist
College and a convent are located near the two leading churches of that
faith.
The colored people have two Bishops in Atlanta, Bishop W. J. Gaines and
Bishop H. M. Turner.
Orphan Asylums.
Atlanta has four orphan asylums. The Methodist Orphan Asylum is located at
Decatur, several miles east of the city, and the Baptist Orphan Asylum is
at Hapeville, nine miles south of Atlanta. The Jewish Orphan Asylum is
within the city limits.
The Carrie Steele Orphans' Home is an institution for colored children
about three miles east of the city.
Other Asylums.
The Home for the Friendless and the Florence Crittenden Home for
unfortunate women are charities of a high order, carefully managed under
the direction of some of the best women in Atlanta.
In addition there are numerous free kindergartens.
[Illustration: "REQUIESCAT IN PACE." GATE OF WEST VIEW CEMETERY.]
Footnotes:
[1] Now under construction.
[2] Under construction--nearly completed.