Another Day in Paradise: The Legend of Preston “Harmonica Steve” Stevens Jr.

Preston Stevens Jr. came into the world just as the stock market collapsed, a time when hardship was the only certainty. His early life may have been marked by ordinary pursuits, academics, athletics, and the usual ups and downs, but his path would soon intertwine with extraordinary people and places.

Sixty years ago, Preston met Marian, the woman who would become his wife. Together they raised four children whose brilliance defied any notion of “average.” That family foundation, along with a deep connection to Atlanta, would shape the course of Preston’s long and vibrant journey.

Over the decades, he witnessed Atlanta’s transformation firsthand. What was once a modest Southern city ripened into a bustling metropolis of six million people, fueled by ambitious entrepreneurs and booming industries. Preston, sometimes describing himself as “clueless as a collard sandwich,” nevertheless found himself riding the wave of growth alongside the architectural legacy of Stevens & Wilkinson, a firm founded nearly a century ago by his father.

Witness to a City’s Transformation

Over the course of his 95 years, Preston has seen Atlanta transform from a modest Southern town into a bustling metropolitan hub. What was once shabby and small has grown into a city of six million, brimming with ambition and entrepreneurial fire.

Clueless as a collard sandwich, his words, not ours, Preston somehow managed to hold on tight to Atlanta’s growth spurt, riding its wave alongside the architectural legacy of his family. His father, Preston Stevens Sr., was a renowned architect who helped shape the Buckhead and West Paces Ferry areas in the years following the Depression.

With a double degree in architecture, Preston Jr. carried on the family tradition, eventually taking the reins of Stevens & Wilkinson, one of Atlanta’s most venerable firms. The company became synonymous with innovation and excellence, its projects woven into the fabric of the city’s expansion.

A Chance Encounter at LongHorn

For all his professional accomplishments, Preston’s charm is perhaps most evident in casual encounters. Not long ago, at a LongHorn Steakhouse, patrons were treated to an unexpected performance when Preston, behind the wheel and still full of energy after leaving his retirement community, sat down at the bar.

What followed was part stand-up comedy, part oral history. Introducing himself as both “Steve” and “Harmonica Steve,” Preston quickly had the entire bar laughing, captivated by his storytelling and sharp wit. Strangers leaned in closer, not wanting to miss a single detail. For many, it was less like meeting a 95-year-old architect and more like discovering a hidden legend in their own backyard.