Edgewood, Atlanta facts for kids
Edgewood is a lively neighborhood located on the east side of Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States. It's about 3 miles east of downtown Atlanta, making it a convenient spot for many people.
History of Edgewood
Edgewood started out as its own separate town. But in 1909, the city of Atlanta grew and officially took over Edgewood, making it part of Atlanta. This happened as Atlanta expanded from Fulton County into DeKalb County.
Edgewood really started to grow during a time called the Reconstruction-era economic boom, which lasted from 1870 to 1910. During this period, Atlanta's population grew a lot, and its downtown business area became very busy. City leaders saw the need for new places where people could live and relax outside of the busy downtown.
Unlike some other neighborhoods on Atlanta's east side, Edgewood was mainly built for working-class families. This means you won't see many fancy Victorian-style homes here, like those in Kirkwood or Candler Park. Instead, most of the houses in Edgewood are craftsman bungalows, which are known for being sturdy and practical.
Where is Edgewood?
Sometimes, the whole area of Atlanta that's in DeKalb County is called "east Atlanta." However, the actual neighborhood named East Atlanta is located to the south-southeast of Edgewood.
Right next to Edgewood, you'll find Kirkwood to the east. To the west is Reynoldstown, and to the north, you'll find Candler Park.
Even though Edgewood Avenue is named after the neighborhood and stretches from downtown Atlanta towards it, the avenue doesn't quite reach the Edgewood neighborhood itself.
Shopping and Fun in Edgewood
The Edgewood Retail District is a big shopping and entertainment area. It covers about 44 acres and is located off Moreland Avenue, close to Little Five Points.
This district was built on land that used to belong to a company called Atlanta Gas Light. It's a "mixed-use village," which means it has a mix of different things like shops, restaurants, and sometimes even homes or offices. The Edgewood Retail District has over 531,287 square feet of retail space. It even includes the first Lowe's home improvement store to be built right in the city.
