Downtown Flashback Feature

Each month, EPMSA will dig through the East Point Historical Society's archives to provide you with that month's "Flashback Feature". Each feature will highlight a photo and/or article from East Point's vibrant history. The photos/articles will give you a brief look at East Point back then . . . more information about East Point's history is available at the East Point Historical Society located at 1685 Norman Berry Drive, East Point, GA 30344. You can contact them at (404) 767-4656 or visit www.eastpoinths.org. All "Flashback Features" will be archived on the website and can be accessed at any time.

East Point’s First African-American Physician

Dr. Hamilton Mayo Holmes standing next to his Lincoln, circa 1922.

Dr. Hamilton Mayo Holmes became East Point’s first African American physician in 1910. He was born in Louisiana in 1884, the son of a minister. Dr. Holmes graduated from the Leonard School of Medicine, Shaw University, in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he met his wife, Pattie Lee Reeves Holmes, who graduated from the nursing school at St. Augustine’s College, also in Raleigh. When they arrived in East Point, the newlyweds moved into a house on Randall Street at the corner of Georgia Avenue in the East Washington neighborhood. Their four children were born here in East Point. In 1923, the family moved into Atlanta; however, Dr. Holmes continued to serve East Point residents after the move.

Dr. Holmes’ wife, Pattie Holmes, and their four children:
Hamilton Mayo Holmes, Jr., Oliver Wendell Holmes,
Alfred Fountain "Tup" Holmes, Alice C. Holmes Washington.

There were many “firsts” accomplished by the Holmes family. Among them, his son, Alfred Fountain "Tup" Holmes, an Atlanta businessman, was an avid golfer and set out to integrate Atlanta’s public golf courses, which he accomplished with the help of friends and family in 1955. The Adams Park golf course in southwest Atlanta is named in his honor. In 1961, Dr. Holmes’ grandson, Dr. Hamilton Earl "Hamp" Holmes (Alfred’s son), was one of two African-American students who were the first to integrate the University of Georgia---the other student being Ms. Charlayne Hunter-Gault. In 1963, Hamp was the first African-American admitted to the Emory University School of Medicine. Hamilton E. Holmes Elementary on Connally Drive and the H. E. Holmes MARTA Station are named in his honor.

Daughter Alice, a Spelman graduate, became a teacher and taught at East Point High School.

- Marguerite Murray, EPHS

Be sure to visit the East Point Historical Society at 1685 Norman Berry Drive to learn more about our city’s history. Museum & Archives - Free Admission
- Thursdays 1 - 4 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- Phone: 404-767-4656