Red Oak, Georgia facts for kids
Red Oak is a community located in the city of South Fulton, in Fulton County, Georgia, United States. It's close to other towns like College Park and East Point. The area is easy to reach because it's near major roads like U.S. Route 29 and a connector road to Interstate 85 and Interstate 285. The ZIP Codes for Red Oak are 30272 and 30349.
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The Story of Red Oak
Red Oak has never been an official "town" with its own government. However, it has a long history.
Early Days and the First Post Office
A post office was first built in Red Oak way back in 1849. The very first postmaster was a man named Reverend William "Harrison" Walker. He was a Baptist minister. His family, including his father, Levi Loudy Walker, had moved to Fayette County earlier.
Where the Post Office Stood
It was common for post offices to be set up on the postmaster's own property. Reverend Walker's home was in a specific area of Fayette County. Old maps show that the Atlanta and West Point Railroad even crossed his land.
How Red Oak Got Its Name
Local stories say that a large red oak tree once stood right at the postal stop. This special tree gave the community its name: Red Oak.
Today, you can find a special marker from the Georgia Historical Society. It stands where Welcome All Road and U.S. 29/Roosevelt Highway meet. This marker confirms that the Red Oak post office existed. It also tells us that the post office closed after the Civil War in 1864. However, many years later, another post office was opened in Red Oak, and it is still there today.
Red Oak Today
In 2020, Red Oak was recognized as one of the Historic Main Street Districts within the City of South Fulton. This means it's an important area with a rich past.
