Thomas O'Reilly Monument photographs

Collection

Collection number: ahc.VIS331

Scope and Content

This collection captures the unveiling of the O'Reilly Monument in front of the Atlanta City Hall on the corner of Washington Street and Mitchell Street. The monument was erected by the Atlanta Historical Society.

Dates

1945 October 18

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

This material is protected by copyright law. (Title 17, U.S. Code) Permission for use must be cleared through the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center. Licensing agreement may be required.

Administrative/Biographical History

Father Thomas O'Reilly (1831-1872) was born in Ireland but was assigned to the Savannah Diocese, which at the time represented the entire state of Georgia. He was a priest at the Church of the Immaculate Conception which was the only Catholic Church in Atlanta during the 1860s. Through his efforts in November of 1864, five churches and many civic buildings were saved from destruction during William Sherman's Atlanta Campaign. Posthumously, he was awarded the City of Atlanta's Phoenix Award for his medical work for both sides of the war and bravery in defending Atlanta.