More Druid Hills

Druids Hills, Georgia, one of Atlanta's first three "planned" suburbs, emphasized the need of the borderland, picturesque built environment. A streetcar suburb, Druid Hills was meant to be easily accessible by the commuting elite, while providing those same elite with a parklike environment and opportunities for recreation. Originally conceived by prominent Atlanta developer Joel Hurt as the "ideal suburb," Hurt hired Frederick Law Olmsted (principal designer of Central Park in New York City) to provide a layout plan. Olmsted, naturally, chose a design that placed the landscape at the center: Ponce de Leon Avenue led from Midtown Atlanta east to a fabled, youth-like, health environment. Olmsted's master plan made use of curving, winding roads and use of park space to fill in the intertwined space. Outside of this, large private lots included homes designed principally by the individual lot owner. One of Olmstead's last projects, work on Druid Hills was carried out mainly by his sons; work was not completed until 1936.

Trolley Car Suburban Home

This is an example of an early 20th century arts and crafts suburban home in what is now North Ormewood Park. It sits on the bucolic sounding Hemlock Circle. Today this neighborhood would be considered rather urban, but was actually one of Atlanta's first trolley car suburbs with the trolley connecting downtown Atlanta to Moreland Ave. As Jackson and Wright point out, modern transportation technology helped, but by no means was the sole catalyst for, the selling of the myth of the suburb. Rail service enabled those of means to build/buy a home in the suburbs thereby being able to use the city but live outside of it. Unfortunately for modern Atlanta the trolley now only exists in the neighborhood logo.

Re-post of sorts

Here is Mike Dillon's picture as a post, not just attached to my profile for the site...

Photo...better late than never

Best Commute Ever!!!

The above Images are pictures of the oldest surviving building built by an African American in Atlanta. This home in Reynoldstown was a storefront on the first floor and a residence on the second. While Reynoldston and neighboring Cabbagetown were mostly residential, making this type of set-up atypical, most residents worked at the Cotton Mill down the street.

Tracks to Paradise

Steel rails formerly used for trolley and train are still visible all over Atlanta. The commerce of 5 Points of was a short ride away. Stone Mountain, Decatur, West End, Virginia Highlands, and other neighborhoods were connected by trolley after the Civil War and until the 1920s. Heavy rail provided passenger service all over GA and the South. Residents of Valdosta, GA could take the night train to Atlanta, shop all day, and take the train home in the evening.

The images above were taken near an unused rail line near Briarcliff Rd in northeast Atlanta. The neighborhood closest to this railine is just northeast of Morningside and Ansley Park. It was designed for the less well to do, but a landscaped paradise nonetheless.














The clump of trees behind the Blockbuster were a former home site on North Decatur Rd. Suburbs supplanted suburbs and the strip mall behind this site became more valuable when auto transportation became dominant.

The lower picture is where the home stood. It was not far from Peachtree creek, two heavy raillines and two former trolley lines.

More Inman Park

Atlanta's first suburb, Inman Park, was developed by Joel Hurt. The planned garden suburb contained two parks landscaped with rare and unique shrubs and trees (below a picture of Springvale Park). The suburb was designed with curving streets and large lots, upon which large Victorian mansions were built (see photos). Originally, the lots were sold with three conditions: 1) they were to be for residential use only, 2) new houses constructed there must cost a minimum of $3,000, 3) buildings were required to have a 30 ft front setback and a 20 ft side setback.

Inman Park was served by a trolly that ran down Edgewood Avenue from downtown to the Trolly Barn in Inman Park (see pictures of the Trolly Barn in Chelsea's post). Residents enjoyed a short commute to the downtown business district and a parklike setting with ten acres of parks in which in picnic and take walks.

Chelsea's blog below includes pictures of a historic church (built in 1897) and a historic school (now converted to lofts).

Inman Park: Atlanta's First Suburb

Inman Park

Inman Park, Atlanta's first suburb, was first established in the 1880's by the Atlanta businessman and entrepreneur Joel Hurt, who wanted to give Atlanta residents the opportunity to live a "countrylike" existence in close proximity to downtown. In accordance with his vision, Hurt insisted on including large lots, curving streets, and greenspace throughout his garden suburb development. Hurt was also instrumental in developing one of the country's first streetcar systems to provide Inman Park residents with easy access to downtown Atlanta. The Inman Park Trolley Barn, which opened in 1889, served as the site of termination.

By the early 1900's, Inman Park's popularity began to wane as newer elite subdivisions developed to the north, prompted largely the greater mobility found through technological advances in transportation. The neighborhood fell into disrepair. Victorian homes were divided into apartments, and absentee landlords were common. However, by the 1970's Inman Park was rediscovered. On July 22, 1973, Inman Park was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The Inman Park United Methodist Church
The Inman Park United Methodist Church, which dates back to 1966, was designed by Willis Franklin Denny, II. The Church is still active, serving as a "mother church" to many prominent Atlanta organizations including Emory University and the Druid Hills United Methodist Church. The church is located at 1015 Edgewood Avenue.

The Trolley Barn

The Inman Park Trolley Barn, which opened in 1889, served as the site of termination of Atlanta's first electric street rail line, which ran from downtown Atlanta to Inman Park. However, as technology rapidly developed, need for the trolley became obsolete. The barn was then used as a community center, basketball court, and a farmers market, among other uses.

By the mid 20th century, the trolley barn (along with Inman Park as a whole) fell into disrepair, culminating in the 1970's with serious talk of condemnation.

However, by 1976, a group of vocal "urban pioneers" pursuaded the city to purchase the property, and began a restoration project (completed in 1987). The barn is now used as an event rental facility.

Inman School Lofts

The Inman School Lofts, located on Edgewood Avenue in Inman Park, is a loft conversion located in an old school in Inman Park. The school is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

not exactly the picture of domesticity, but in the kitchen nonetheless

Buford, GA - History Still Lives In the Present

These are two homes located in downtown historic Buford, GA. The first home was built in 1897. This home really seems to echo Stilgoe when he writes about the detailed architecture in this time period. Notice the Greek style architecture with the columns and the molding across the top of the house. This house was most definitely orginally built for the upper class and still today is a very beautiful home from the outside. Also notice the giant trees surrounding the home. These trees shade the entire property definitely helping to reduce the Georgia summer heat.

The second home was built in 1880. It appears to have originally been owned by a family of the upper middle class. Although this home is less shaded than the first it appears to be qually built for comfort. Notice the extensive patio setting. As Stilgoe mentions, patio's were a great for suburban families looking to relax outside and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and clean air.

Borderlands - Olmsted in Atlanta

In 1893, Frederick Olmsted, Sr. created the original plan for what is now known as the "Olmsted Linear Parks" along Ponce de Leon Avenue.  Atlanta businessman Joel Hurt engaged Olmsted to design this series of parks in conjunction with the Druid Hills residential development.  Upon his passing, Olmsted's sons completed the final plan in 1905.

There is a series of six parks in the traditional picturesque style with curvilinear roads, walking paths, and controlled growth of nature.

Sundiata Spencer

Me thinking about the burbs

Landscape reflects Use

This is a farm house (built approximately 1900; orginally a central hall with two rooms)and property in Texas Valley outside Rome Ga. Site approximately 137 acres. House located in 3 arce enclosed area in center of front of tract. Outbuilding placement reflect the owner's use of the property for cattle/horse and hay farming. Fencing is and was barbwired although some remenants of stone property line markers may be found. Smokehouse and Chicken coop located immediately behind house with family garden plot in between. Also, though rural, this landscape had a "formal" front lawn with trees, privet and flowering shrubs planted by owners. This was my home for two years.

This is me not in the suburbs.
Sorry I couldn't find a better picture!

That' me.

Robert Douglas Young photo

This is me from April 2008, photograph by Hollywood photographer Adam Bouska.

Borderland Example - Ashland Farm

Ashland Farm, original owner ZC Patten, architect WT Downing; located 9 miles southwest of downtown Chattanooga at Lookout Mtn, Ga. Landscape design originally by Biltmore Nuseries, Ashville, NC
Long entrance drive lined with White pines for privacy; paths through woodland for walks and observe native plants; residence situated on plateau overlooking lawn and stand of designed landscape of oaks.

The Dreaded Photo

As requested, a photo.

Nancy Gadberry

This is my picture now posted.

Borderland Chap 1 - 4, part II

Urban Homesteaders: Practicing the principles of Edible Landscaping: Attack on the Front Lawn, You Can't Eat Grass"

Images 1 - 4 provide southern views of the previous photograph. These images include a combination of both agricultural and floral landscaping options, prized by Daniel Webster and some of his fellow mid-nineteenth century, borderland dwellers. The sloped terrain suggests a leisurely pastoral setting for this modern borderland dwelling.

Images 1 & 2, are complimented by glimpses of the roadside and a neighboring property in the far distance.

Image 3, provides a close up view of sweet peas and gardenia bushes in bloom.

Image 4, includes a view of the neighboring property owner's salute to American Lawn Culture, in the background.