John Wellborn Root Birthplace Site

John Wellborn Root (1850-1891), world famous architect, was born on this site. The son of Mary Clark and Sidney Root, he was educated in Lumpkin, Atlanta, New York, and Claremont and Oxford in England. A pioneer in some phases of architecture, he designed plans for the Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893 and for the Fine Arts Building that became Chicago´s permanent Museum of Fine Arts. He devised the system of grillage foundations, now standard practice in architecture, and his work was "modern", honest and structurally true". He was a gifted musician, artist and amateur actor.

GHM 128-15 Georgia Historical Commission 1956

Plaque courtesy Lat34North.com.

Original page, with additional info, here.

Photo credit: Ken Moser.