Now that you have the history of specific Atlanta Public Schools that opened between 1872 – 1959, it’s time to delve into a portion of the historic neighborhoods that these schools serviced. In some ways, you may find the neighborhood histories more fascinating that the histories of the schools themselves. Let’s begin our journey with….
Adair Park
Historic Adair Park neighborhood in Atlanta, GA was first established in 1892 during a period where Atlanta began to transition from railroad town to a legitimately bustling city. Located Southwest of Atlanta, Adair Park was also developed by George W. Adair, boasting charming craftsman bungalow homes, Folk Victorian, Queen Anne, and English Vernacular Revival homes respectively.
From its inception until the 1940’s Adair Park continued to expand with the introduction of the trolley system which allowed easy access to surrounding neighborhoods and the downtown Atlanta. Land lots were relatively small in comparison to other neighborhoods, with street parking and modest land space.
By the mid-1950’s, Adair Park would also suffer from the effects of white flight. Fearful of the recent racial transitioning of neighboring suburbs, residents of Adair Park attempted to buy up any homes for sale in a last ditched effort at keeping Adair Park predominantly white. Their efforts faltered due to lack of support from fleeing whites who were determined to move to the suburbs.
Adair Park continued to suffer from decline due to the construction of the highway system as well as the decline in residents purchasing homes. By the early 2000’s, Adair Park would enjoy a resurgence in popularity as young professionals moved in and revamped the area. It’s close proximity to downtown Atlanta was a plus, thus, real estate developers made the decision to transform the abandoned Adair School into mixed-use housing and retail spaces.
Adair Park Schools: George W. Adair Grammar School
Mechanicsville
Mechanicsville is considered one of the oldest neighborhoods in the City of Atlanta. Established in 1870, during a time when Atlanta was considered one of the premier railroad hubs, Mechanicsville was home to the white railroad mechanics who worked on the railroads, thus the area became known as Mechanicsville. As the city of Atlanta’s population grew, as did its African-American population. Since the railroads employed a small percentage of African-Americans, their families ultimately moved into Mechanicsville as well.
It wasn’t until the late 1800’s that Mechanicsville became subdivided and began to experience the development of the town. A transition from horse-drawn cars to electric trolley helped Mechanicsville attract more businesses as well as residents. Jewish residents began flocking to the area around the late 1880’s, where they’d predominately favor Windsor, Cooper, Formwalt, Whitehall, Fair Street, and Pryor Streets. Glenn Street was predominately African American, as was Ira Street and Crumley Street; white families mostly populated northeastern section of Mechanicsville though distinct color lines did not exist in the area, which was practically unheard of during this era. Wealthier families lived on high leveled lots, far away from the industrial portion of the neighborhood, while poorer families resided in more modest homes closer to the rail yard. African-American families, unfortunately, were taken advantage of by greedy homeowners who constructed poor quality housing, while charging absorbent rent prices.
On The Decline
Mechanicsville’s diverse neighborhood began to decline steeply during the 1930’s and 1940’s. The Great Depression coupled with fleeing residents who sought newer and more attractive suburban areas. Slumlords turned stately Victorian homes into boarding houses, and many once successful business closed shop. By the 1950’s, Mechanicsville’s population would be predominately, if not completely, African-American. The area would dissolve into a filthy slum area by the 1960’s with the building of I-75/I-85 and I-20 interstate exchanges as well as the construction of the Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. The area was so dilapidated that the City of Atlanta actually kicked off a Zap-A-Rat campaign to spread awareness about rodent control in the area. Yuck!
Mechanicsville was offered an opportunity to revamp the once vibrant community by participating in the Federal Government Model Cities program. More low-income housing units were constructed as a solution, but it only further acerbated the issues in Mechanicsville. The clearing of more land and loss of resources further destroyed Mechanicsville.
Recently, renewed interest has emerged in Mechanicville and residents continue to fight to revitalize the area. Though it hasn’t completely recovered, there are signs that Mechanicsville is on the rise.
Mechanicsville Schools: Ira Street, Formwalt, Cooper Street, Crogman (for African-American residents), Georgia Street School built in 1899 (at Formwalt Street); and Pryor School built in 1907.
West End
The historic West End suburb area has undergone many transformations since its inception. The West End’s story begins in 1830, before the birth of the City of Atlanta. Originally named White Hall, the neighborhood was more than likely contained sparse housing, and would most likely be sparsely populated before the introduction of the Western & Atlantic railroad in the 1940’s. The new railroad would provide the locals with an easy access to downtown Atlanta area. Soon, the area would be booming with real estate, businesses and more inhabitants. Most homes were in the area consisted of Craftsman Bungalow, Queen Anne, Stick style, Folk Victorian, Colonial Revival, American Foursquare and Neoclassical Revival architectural styles.
The name West End was given to the area after the Civil War (around 1868), after a famous London location. The name gave the area more of a sophisticated, cosmopolitan flair. Prosperity and a booming population ensued after slave trader turned real estate tycoon George W. Adair and railroad tycoon Richard Peters partnered together to bring the streetcar to the West End neighborhood. The West End suburb soon became known as the first streetcar suburb and a trendy neighborhood that catered to upper-middle-class white Atlantans. Some of the neighborhoods most famous inhabitants were E.P. Howell (original Atlanta Constitution owner and former mayor of Atlanta), and Joel Chandler Harris.
The Era of Change
The neighborhood would remain a prosperous and vibrant community even after younger generations of Atlantan’s moved further away from the city to the suburbs in the 1950’s. After the highway system displaced many African-American families in the late 1950’s early 1960’s, many African-American families began to move into the West End area. With the passage of the major Civil Rights legislation and the success of the Civil Rights Movement, the West End’s demographics would begin to shift (i.e. White Flight). By the late 1970’s – 1980’s the West End would eventually become predominately black and remained prosperous.
Poverty, recessions and bad mortgage practices would cause the area to suffer tremendously in the 1990’s- early 2000’s. Thankfully, the area is seeing a resurgence in popularity and an uptick in home ownership. Unfortunately, the changes are due in part to gentrification which will ultimately lead to yet another predominately white and prosperous populace. Time will tell how diverse and progressive the West End will remain.
Schools that Serviced the West End: Joseph E. Brown Junior Highschool, Peeples Street Grammar School
Fun Facts: White Hall Inn once stood where the West End Mall stands today. West End was named for the White Hall Inn.
Sources:
- Lee, May. “West End Story.” The Atlanta Constitution (1946-1984), Jun 25, 1978.
- Celia W Dugger, Staff Writer. “West End shows Signs of Rebirth.” The Atlanta Constitution (1946-1984), Nov 07, 1982.
Chosewood Park
Established in 1910, the Chosewood Park neighborhood was primarily established for workforce from the United States Penitentiary that opened in Atlanta in 1902. The area remained relatively modest with Craftsman style homes 1927 when Chosewood would experience both a population and economic boom due to the establishment of the Lakewood General Motors Assembly Plant. This auto plant would be the first plant that United Automobile Workers union would stage a strike against in 1936.
The Lakewood Assembly Plant produced Chevrolet’s, Oldsmobiles, Buicks and Pontiacs throughout its days of operation. The last car to be produced from the Lakewood Assembly plant was the 1990 model year Chevrolet Caprice B-Body before the plant shuttered its doors forever on August 6, 1989.
After years of steady decline, Chosewood Park would experience a surge in interest from Atlanta residents seeking in-town properties that would cut down on their commute time. As a result, developers sought to raze dilapidated housing such as Englewood Manor and various run-down homes. With the housing crisis of the early 2000’s, the construction boom would come to grinding halt. Now that the housing crisis has come to an end, plans to revitalize the area are underway. Chosewood Park connects to the ever so popular Beltline and isn’t too far from other up and coming neighborhoods such as Grant Park, Peoplestown, Boulevard Heights, Benteen Park, and Thomasville Heights.
Schools that Serviced Chosewood: Milton Avenue Elementary
Vine City
Adjacent to the English Avenue (white) neighborhood, Vine City is infamously known as “The Bluff,” due to its reputation for high crime, and drug usage. Despite its bad reputation, Vine City has a very rich history closely tied to the English Avenue Elementary school. Vine City was established at the end of the 1800’s was seemingly named for the street named Vine Street that runs through the neighborhood. Historically the neighborhood was comprised of Sunset, Magnolia, Foundry and Walnut Streets respectively. Due to Vine City’s proximity to the historic black colleges nearby, it would become a vibrant and prosperous African-American neighborhood. The neighborhood would experience an influx of African-American inhabitants after the great Atlanta fire of 1917 destroyed many homes in Auburn Avenue. This would create a housing crisis; thus many fleeing families began to settle in Vine City as well as English Avenue, much to the dismay of their white neighbors.
From Wealth to Decline
In 1920, Black millionaire Alonzo F. Herndon, would purchase land and build his Georgia revival style home in the neighborhood. Herndon’s entire home, except for plumbing and electrical work, was completed solely by African-American craftsman.
African American residents could enjoy a fun Saturday at the Sunset Park (amusement park), and catch a play or musical performance at the Magnolia Ballroom. Famous Civil Rights icons such as Julian Bond and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived in Vine City during the late 1960’s.
After decades of steady growth, Vine City began to suffer from the effects of urban renewal in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Interstate sections, large entertainment venues (stadiums, World Congress Center, etc), contributed to the declination of Vine City. What’s more, the suburbanization trend also dealt a deadly blow to the growth of Vine City. Eagon Homes and Herndon Homes suffered from blight, drugs, and crime crept in and Vine City began its decline into the current reputation it is trying so badly to shake.
By the early 2000’s, Eagon Homes and Herndon Homes were demolished in hopes of constructing mixed-use living spaces. With the construction of the Mercedes Benz Stadium, the Vine City neighborhood has experienced a boom in construction, much to the dismay of the locals. Many fear they will be pushed out of the area due to an increase in the cost living. Though the area is experiencing revitalization, Vine City remains under construction.
Schools That Serviced Vine City: English Avenue Elementary School
Washington Park
The Washington Park neighborhood is one of the most historically significant African-American neighborhoods in Atlanta. The first plot of land in the area was developed in 1906, with the Ashby Street School built in 1910. Designed specifically for African-Americans in 1919 on abandoned and undeveloped plats, the neighborhood was designed and developed by black architect Heman Perry from 1919 – 1924.
The history of the development of Washington Park is deeply rooted in racism. White and Black neighborhoods were divided by the color line of Ashby Street. The west side of Ashby Street was established for whites, while the east side was established for African-Americans. Since white residents refused to live near African-American colleges, the white developers abandoned the area. The Ashby Street Elementary school would also become designated as an African-American school and renamed E.R. Carter Elementary School.
Washington Park would become known as being the home of some of the most influential African-American Atlanta residents; additionally, some of the finest and influential black businesses and business owners who called Washington Park home as well. The typical home styles represented in Washington Park consisted of English and Georgian cottages, Georgian, American Foursquare, and Craftsman Bungalow homes. Businesses typical lined the main streets and were of modest sizes.
In addition to the development of the Washington Park neighborhood, Heman Perry would also develop the recreational park of the same name. Prior to 1919, there were no public parks for African-Americans to visit. The 25-acre park would be completed in 1928 and boast a swimming pool, dance hall, pavilions, and tennis courts. By 1947, the Atlanta Daily World reported that the park was becoming overcrowded, as it served as the “..lone park operated by the city for a population of 130,000 Negroes.” The park was originally intended for residents of Washington Park, but African-Americans from all over the state of Georgia began to use the park as well, resulting in overcrowding.
Modern-day Washington Park maintained some of its charm and historic homes, but changes have occurred due to public transportation, recent residential upgrades and subsidized housing have eroded some of its historic features.
School(s) That Serviced Washington Park: Ashby Street aka E.R. Carter
Inman Park
Inman Park is perhaps one of the most recognizable neighborhoods in Atlanta history. As the first planned residential suburb. According to historians, the neighborhood was built upon the ruined grounds of a former Civil War battlefield. American businessman Joel Hurt (President of Trust Company of Georgia) was the brainchild behind the development of Inman Park. Designed in the 1880’s, Joel Hurt partnered with the wealthy businessman Samuel Inman (the man for whom the neighborhood is named), patterned Inman Park after the trolley infused neighborhoods he’d witnessed as he traveled throughout the United States.
Due to the neighborhood’s park like structure, it was an immediate success with Atlanta’s elite families who flocked to the neighborhood to build elaborate, ornate homes. Many of which, are still in existence. Popular architectural styles found throughout the neighborhood include Queen Anne style homes, Colonial Revival, Shingle Style and Craftsman bungalow homes.
Forgotten Atlanta Public Schools 