The Great Adair Arc Light Controversy of 1916

The Arc Light Controversy raged between neighbors in what is now the Virginia Highland neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia in 1916. Dr. C.O. Jones (pastor of Trinity Methodist Church) lived in a house on North Highland Avenue at the corner of Adair Avenue; while The W.G. McDaniels lived in the adjacent house to their back on Adair Avenue. The neighborhood had funded an "arc lamp" over the intersection of Highland and Adair, but Dr. Jones allegedly had it partly painted black so it wouldn't shine into their 2nd floor bedroom. Also, the Joneses had built a wall at the back of their property, "hiding" the McDaniels' house – neighbors stated this was out of spite. Dr. Jones called Mrs. McDaniel's statement that he had had the lamp painted a lie, prompting her father Rev. Atkinson of Douglasville to defend her besmirched honor.

~~~~

~~~~

~~~~

~~~~