December 13, 2022

CONTACT: Amy Reed

areed@mariettaga.gov

770-794-5710

MARIETTA - The Marietta History Center’s Diverse Cobb Advisory Committee is proud to announce the continued partnership with Cobb Landmarks, Inc. to present historic home markers to qualifying homes in historic black neighborhoods. Diverse Cobb Committee Member Judge Jim Morris (ret.) has led the way in interviewing former and current residents and researching the history of each home.

The most recent home to receive a marker is located at 145 Cole Street in the Fort Hill neighborhood. Built in 1909 by Taylor Woods, an African American resident of Marietta, the home was sold in 1944 to Oscar Carter and continues to remain in the Carter family today. Oscar and his wife Sarah raised four children in this house. Oscar, Sr. worked as a custodian for Bell Aircraft Company during WWII, and later for the City of Marietta. Sarah worked as a “washer woman: in the 1930 Census, a “house maid in a dental office” according to the 1950 Census, and later as a Practical Nurse at Dr. Remer Clark’s office. She was an active school advocate and President of the Lemon Street P.T.A. (Excerpt from the marker application). 

Oscar and Sarah’s youngest son, “Coach” Ken Carter and his wife Jeanie purchased the home in 1991. Coach Carter and Jeanie served 99 combined years teaching in the Marietta City School System. They both taught at Lemon Street School, the segregated school for black children,  and were instrumental in the integration of the school system in 1966. After retirement, Jeanie became the first black woman to be elected to the Marietta City School Board. She served in that role for 16 years. The Carter home is the last remining historic home on this block of Cole Street.     

Homes over 50 years old and in the neighborhoods of Baptist Town, Louisville, Fort Hill, and others, can be considered for inclusion in this program. Funding for this project started with a generous donation from Jo-Evelyn Morris. Those who wish to nominate a home, support this project with a donation or learn more about the homes recognized may contact Marietta History Center Director Amy Reed at areed@mariettaga.gov. 

At the Marietta History Center our mission is to ignite curiosity in Marietta’s history by connecting people through compelling stories and engaging experiences. 

Questions or want more info? Contact the Center at 770-794-5710 or check out our website at www.MariettaHistory.org.