East Atlanta facts for kids
East Atlanta is a lively neighborhood on the east side of Atlanta, Georgia, United States. When people talk about East Atlanta Village, they usually mean the main shopping and business area of the neighborhood. It's a place with a lot of history and a strong community spirit.
Contents
Geography
East Atlanta is located entirely within DeKalb County. It shares its borders with several other areas:
- To the north: Interstate 20, and the neighborhoods of Edgewood and Kirkwood.
- To the west: Moreland Avenue, and the neighborhoods of North Ormewood Park, Ormewood Park and Woodland Hills.
- To the south and east: Parts of unincorporated DeKalb County, like Gresham Park, Candler-McAfee, and Decatur.
History
Early Beginnings
Before American settlers arrived, the Creek Native American people lived in this area. They used a path called the Sandtown-Flat Shoals Trail for trading between the Chattahoochee River and the coast. This trail later became Flat Shoals Avenue. After the Creek people were moved from their lands in the 1820s, American citizens started to get land here through the Georgia land lotteries.
Civil War Times
During the Civil War, Atlanta was a very important place for the Southern war effort. This made it a big target for the Northern forces. A general named Lemuel P. Grant designed defenses for the city to protect his land, which is now Grant Park.
General James B. McPherson led his Union (Northern) soldiers to high ground about a mile east of Grant's land. This area is what we know today as East Atlanta. A Union cannon was placed at Glenwood Avenue and Flat Shoals Road to protect their side. However, Confederate (Southern) forces managed to attack from behind.
The Battle of Atlanta, a major fight during the Atlanta Campaign, happened right here in East Atlanta, behind the Union lines. This battle was a turning point in the war and led to many deaths. Today, you can see many historic markers in the neighborhood, including two cannons that point upwards where Confederate General Walker and Union General McPherson were killed.
After the War
East Atlanta quickly recovered after the Civil War. It grew into a busy town. The Marbut and Minor Mercantile Store opened at the main crossroads of Glenwood Avenue and Flat Shoals Road. By the late 1890s, this store had grown into five different businesses, including a dry goods store and a grocery.
Important people like Asa Candler (who helped start Coca-Cola) and Joel Hurt helped develop a new neighborhood called McPherson Park. They did this to get more riders for their electric streetcar line and to provide homes for new store workers in the area.
The 20th Century
In 1905, a wealthy lumber and railroad owner named William Zuber built a large, beautiful mansion as a wedding gift for his wife. This house is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its historical importance.
The East Atlanta Banking Company opened in 1911 in a unique "flat iron" shaped building at Flat Shoals and Glenwood. This building is now a popular bar. A post office, a newspaper, a silent movie theater, and a carriage dealership also opened in the business district. Churches in the area also started to grow.
The land south of Glenwood Avenue was owned by former Georgia Governor Joseph Emerson Brown. With his support, a plan was made for streets around a 13-acre public green space. This was a new idea for "urban living" at the time. After 1915, East Atlanta residents voted to become part of the city of Atlanta. This gave them access to important services like fire protection, public schools, and indoor plumbing.
After World War II, the undeveloped middle part of the neighborhood was built up by the Williams brothers, who grew up in East Atlanta. As more homes were built, local businesses did well. The Madison Theatre (a movie theater) and a new public library were built with help from community donations.
During the 1960s, East Atlanta faced challenges related to racial segregation in housing. Groups working for civil rights helped middle-class Black families buy homes in the area. This led to many white families moving away, and home prices dropped very low. Because of this, the neighborhood's look and reputation suffered. In 1981, the East Atlanta Community Association was started to help bring the community together and improve the neighborhood.
The 21st Century
In 2005, East Atlanta got a new library building at Flat Shoals and McPherson. That same year, a project began to make the business district better for people walking. This resulted in wider sidewalks and more benches.
In 2007 and 2008, the East Atlanta Village was voted "Best Neighborhood" in Atlanta by readers of the local newspaper Creative Loafing. Thanks to the hard work of residents to improve their neighborhood and the demand for affordable homes close to the city, the average price of a house in East Atlanta has been rising steadily since the late 1990s.
In 2017, the East Atlanta Community Association started working to get the neighborhood listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which would recognize its historical importance.
Culture
In recent years, East Atlanta has become known for its amazing street art. Many of the murals you see were created through projects like Living Walls and the Outerspace Project. Some murals are easy to spot from the street, while others are hidden in parking lots, alleyways, and behind buildings. You can find images and locations of East Atlanta's murals on the Atlanta Street Art Map.
Events
East Atlanta hosts several popular events each year:
- East Atlanta Strut - This is a free, one-day neighborhood festival held every third Saturday in September. It features a parade, food, live music, art, and other fun activities. The festival highlights local businesses and raises money for schools, senior programs, and Neighbor In Need East Atlanta. It's run entirely by volunteers.
- B*ATL - This festival remembers the anniversary of the Civil War's Battle of Atlanta, which happened on July 22, 1864, in what is now East Atlanta. Events include a fancy dinner and house tour, a 5K fun run, tours of historic sites like Oakland Cemetery, and Civil War battle re-enactments with soldiers and cannons.
- East Atlanta Craft Beer Festival - This annual festival takes place on the third weekend in May at Brownwood Park. It offers over 230 different beers, music, and food vendors. All the money raised goes to local charities through a grant process.
- East Atlanta Twilight Criterium - This is a day of exciting bicycle races and events held in East Atlanta Village and the nearby streets every August.
- EAV Farmers Market - This local non-profit farmers market is held every Thursday evening (from 4:00 PM until dark) from April through December.
Education
Schools
Public Schools
East Atlanta is part of the Atlanta Public Schools System. There are also nearby charter school options:
- Burgess Peterson Academy - An elementary school that is part of the Maynard Jackson Cluster.
- Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School
- Wesley International Academy
- Ronald E. McNair High School - A public high school (grades 9-12) located just east of Atlanta's city limits in unincorporated DeKalb County.
Private Schools
- Mohammed Schools - A private school (Kindergarten through 12th grade) in unincorporated DeKalb County.
Library
The Atlanta–Fulton Public Library System operates the East Atlanta Branch, providing books and resources for the community.
