Historic lamp post will get new marker

You may recall last week's post on the downtown Atlanta Civil War centennial map. (Click here)

It included a reference to the "Eternal Lamp of the Confederacy." I wasn't sure of the lamp's current location, but two readers pointed out it is next to the MARTA station entrance in Underground Atlanta, the business and entertainment complex.

According to Georgia's Virtual Vault, The lamp post was one of the original 50 street lights first lighted for Christmas 1855. During a bombardment by federal troops in 1864, a shell fragment ricocheting off the post struck and mortally wounded freed African-American barber Solomon Luckie. The lamp was relighted for 1939's "Gone With the Wind" premiere.

The lamp post at some point was placed on street level before returning to Underground.

The Georgia Civil War Heritage Trails will be installing one of its Atlanta Campaign Heritage Trail interpretive markers adjacent to the lamp post, according to executive director Steven Longcrier.