Avondale Estates was established in 1924 to serve the needs of the growing population along the eastern tracks of Decatur within the greater Atlanta community. The village of Ingleside was purchased by George Willis and redeveloped after Shakepeare's hometown, Stratford-upon-Avon.
Avondale Estates was not just a suburb, but a new town modeled around a plan to connect residents to amenities in small town environment. A high school and elementary school were built along with a town center connected by shady lanes. Residents were not expected to work in Avondale unlike Ebeneezer Howard's models. Income came from other industries and jobs around nearby Atlanta and Decatur.
The town now has 2829 residents and still functions as an independent city. The schools have been ceded to Dekalb County and many Avondale residents utilize private education rather let their children suffer through public schools within walking distance. The town center is almost a ghost town, but the Tudor architecture still shows class.
The lake and central park is open to Avondale Residents Only as the sign says.
I love this Waffle House. Do we see any influence of the RPAA or other experiments in decentralization we've read about on Avondale? Touring Avondale what sense do you get of how the themed design contributes to the community and its sense of self, and of place?
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