History of Auburn ave, Atlanta Ga Auburn Avenue in Atlanta, Georgia was a center of Black commerce, culture, and social life in the South. Early history ****The street was originally called Wheat Street, but was renamed in 1893 ****The area was home to the first African American daily newspaper, the Atlanta Daily World, founded in 1928 **** The first Black radio Station W.E.R.D. ****The Atlanta Life Insurance Company, Standard Life, and Citizens Trust Bank were located on Auburn Avenue. **** Aub