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J. Newton Bell, Jr. landscape architectural drawings

 Collection
Collection number: ahc.VIS271

Scope and Content

This collection contains landscape drawings of mostly residential projects, but also includes some commercial properties and parks in Griffin and other Georgia cities. Drawings include general landscape plans and plant lists as well as plans for walls, foundation plantings, and traffic islands. Of special interest is Bell's 1940 senior thesis drawing of a country estate for his parents.

Dates

  • 1940-1994, undated

Creator

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

J. (Jewell) Newton Bell, Jr. (1919-2008) was born in Griffin, Georgia, in 1919, to Jewell N. Bell (1880-1961) and Harriet Belle Stanley Bell (1896-1970). He earned a bachelor's degree in landscape architecture from the University of Georgia in 1940 and was the 15th registered landscape architect for the state of Georgia. Bell worked for Monroe's Landscape and Nursery Company in Atlanta, Georgia, where he prepared landscape plans for the Piedmont Driving Club in 1940. Bell joined the Air Force in 1942 and during World War II, drew targeting maps for bombing raids in the South Pacific theater and performed damage assessment after bombing raids. After being discharged from service, Bell began his landscape architecture business in Griffin. He worked on residential, public, and commercial buildings such as banks, government buildings, and churches in cities including Griffin, Athens, Perry, Newnan, and Covington. Bell later opened an antique and interior decorating business in Griffin and married Leila Searcy (1922-2015).

Extent

29 set(s) of landscape drawing(s)

Language

English

System of Arrangement

This collection is arranged alphabetically according to titles supplied by staff.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift, 2015

Related Archival Materials

J. Newton Bell, Jr. papers, MSS 1133, Cherokee Garden Library, Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center

Description Control

This collection was processed in 2017.

Title
J. Newton Bell, Jr. landscape architectural drawings
Author
Jennie Oldfield
Date
September 2017
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center Repository

Contact:
130 West Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta GA 30305
404-814-4040