Winnona Park Historic District
Encyclopedia
Winnona Park is a historic neighborhood in the southeast corner of the Atlanta, Georgia
suburb of Decatur
. It is listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places
,
but it is not one of the City of Decatur's locally designated historic districts.
Winnona Park is located south of downtown Decatur; west of the Village of Avondale Estates, Georgia
and the Forest Hills subdivision; and east of Decatur's Oakhurst
community. It primarily consists of residences, but is also known as the home of Columbia Theological Seminary
. Its rough boundaries are Mimosa Drive and the Decatur city limits on the south; East College Avenue and the railroad tracks on the north; South Candler Street on the west; and South Columbia Avenue on the east. In addition, the commercial buildings on the east side of South Columbia Ave. at East College Ave. have historically been part of this community. This commercial cluster historically housed the neighborhood pharmacy, gas station and barbershop.
The early families of Winnona Park also have historic links to Agnes Scott College
, which adjoins Winnona Park on the northeast. However, the South Candler Street—Agnes Scott College Historic District is listed separately on the National Register of Historic Places
. The City of Decatur has also designated South Candler Street - Agnes Scott College as a local historic district. Bounded by East College Ave., South McDonough St,, South Candler St., East Hill St. and East Davis St., it is no longer considered part of Winnona Park.
In addition, the Forrest Hills community east of South Columbia Avenue is located in unincorporated DeKalb County, and is not considered part of Winnona Park. However, the City of Decatur announced in 2008 that they were considering the annexation of Forrest Hills.
Winnona Park contained farms and estates in the 19th century. “Winnona” is named for the Winn family, who came to DeKalb County, Georgia
in the first half of the 19th Century. James J. Winn was a clergyman and a surgeon in the C.S.A. His son-in-law, George Bucher Scott, began the development of Winnona Park. The 1868 farmhouse of another early settler, James C. Avary, still remains on South Columbia Drive. The "Avary-Fulton House", named after the Avary and Fulton families (that constructed and later purchased the home, respectively), was part of a farm that listed 19 slaves in the 1860 census.
During the U.S. Civil War, Union troops first occupied Decatur in July 1864. An 1864 map of Decatur shows Union trenches along East College Avenue, from South Columbia to Adams Street, just south of the railroad tracks. This gave the Union troops strategic control of the rail line. The Union troops, under General Schofield, were driven north through Decatur to the cemetery by Confederate troops under General Wheeler. However, the city fell again to the Union again shortly before the Battle of Atlanta
.
The North Georgia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, purchased a small farm on the east side of South Columbia Drive in 1873 and relocated from Norcross, Georgia. By the start of the 20th century, 125 boys and girls lived at the "Decatur Orphans' Home" (as it was then known). The campus is presently known as the "United Methodist Children's Home".
The development of Winnona Park as a residential area began in the early 20th century. George B. Scott, a member of the Scott family that founded Agnes Scott College and Scottdale Mills
, purchased the property from Dr. James Avary and began developing it.
The earliest business district began at East College and South Candler.", In 1913, Joseph Hughey operated a drug store, which was across the railroad tracks from Decatur’s train depot. (This location now houses Farmstead 303.) In 1923, the Winnona Park Elementary School was constructed; the original school building is still used by the City of Decatur Schools and is the centerpiece of the community.
Winnona Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its late 19th and early 20th century American Movement buildings. It contains numerous architectural styles, including craftsman bungalows, Georgian Revival and English Country. Prominent architect Leila Ross Wilburn designed homes on Avery Street. Notable residences include:
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
suburb of Decatur
Decatur, Georgia
Decatur is a city in, and county seat of, DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. With a population of 19,335 in the 2010 census, the city is sometimes assumed to be larger since multiple zip codes in unincorporated DeKalb County bear the Decatur name...
. It is listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
,
but it is not one of the City of Decatur's locally designated historic districts.
Winnona Park is located south of downtown Decatur; west of the Village of Avondale Estates, Georgia
Avondale Estates, Georgia
Avondale Estates is a city in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,960 at the 2010 census.Avondale Estates was founded in 1924 by George Francis Willis, who purchased the entire village of Ingleside to create a planned community. The city was named after Stratford-upon-Avon,...
and the Forest Hills subdivision; and east of Decatur's Oakhurst
Oakhurst, Georgia
Oakhurst is a historic neighborhood in the southwest corner of Decatur, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia. It is located south of downtown Decatur and approximately six miles east of downtown Atlanta. Oakhurst primarily consists of residences built in early 20th Century and neighborhood...
community. It primarily consists of residences, but is also known as the home of Columbia Theological Seminary
Columbia Theological Seminary
Columbia Theological Seminary is one of the ten theological institutions affiliated with the Presbyterian Church . It is located in Decatur, Georgia. Dr. Stephen A. Hayner is the seminary's president.-Description:...
. Its rough boundaries are Mimosa Drive and the Decatur city limits on the south; East College Avenue and the railroad tracks on the north; South Candler Street on the west; and South Columbia Avenue on the east. In addition, the commercial buildings on the east side of South Columbia Ave. at East College Ave. have historically been part of this community. This commercial cluster historically housed the neighborhood pharmacy, gas station and barbershop.
The early families of Winnona Park also have historic links to Agnes Scott College
Agnes Scott College
Agnes Scott College is a private undergraduate college in the United States. Agnes Scott's campus lies in downtown Decatur, Georgia, nestled inside the perimeter of the bustling metro-Atlanta area....
, which adjoins Winnona Park on the northeast. However, the South Candler Street—Agnes Scott College Historic District is listed separately on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. The City of Decatur has also designated South Candler Street - Agnes Scott College as a local historic district. Bounded by East College Ave., South McDonough St,, South Candler St., East Hill St. and East Davis St., it is no longer considered part of Winnona Park.
In addition, the Forrest Hills community east of South Columbia Avenue is located in unincorporated DeKalb County, and is not considered part of Winnona Park. However, the City of Decatur announced in 2008 that they were considering the annexation of Forrest Hills.
History
DeKalb County, Georgia
DeKalb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The population of the county was 691,893 at the 2010 census. Its county seat is the city of Decatur. It is bordered to the west by Fulton County and contains roughly 10% of the city of Atlanta...
in the first half of the 19th Century. James J. Winn was a clergyman and a surgeon in the C.S.A. His son-in-law, George Bucher Scott, began the development of Winnona Park. The 1868 farmhouse of another early settler, James C. Avary, still remains on South Columbia Drive. The "Avary-Fulton House", named after the Avary and Fulton families (that constructed and later purchased the home, respectively), was part of a farm that listed 19 slaves in the 1860 census.
During the U.S. Civil War, Union troops first occupied Decatur in July 1864. An 1864 map of Decatur shows Union trenches along East College Avenue, from South Columbia to Adams Street, just south of the railroad tracks. This gave the Union troops strategic control of the rail line. The Union troops, under General Schofield, were driven north through Decatur to the cemetery by Confederate troops under General Wheeler. However, the city fell again to the Union again shortly before the Battle of Atlanta
Battle of Atlanta
The Battle of Atlanta was a battle of the Atlanta Campaign fought during the American Civil War on July 22, 1864, just southeast of Atlanta, Georgia. Continuing their summer campaign to seize the important rail and supply center of Atlanta, Union forces commanded by William T. Sherman overwhelmed...
.
The North Georgia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, purchased a small farm on the east side of South Columbia Drive in 1873 and relocated from Norcross, Georgia. By the start of the 20th century, 125 boys and girls lived at the "Decatur Orphans' Home" (as it was then known). The campus is presently known as the "United Methodist Children's Home".
The development of Winnona Park as a residential area began in the early 20th century. George B. Scott, a member of the Scott family that founded Agnes Scott College and Scottdale Mills
Scottdale, Georgia
Scottdale is a census-designated place in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The population was 10,631 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
, purchased the property from Dr. James Avary and began developing it.
The earliest business district began at East College and South Candler.", In 1913, Joseph Hughey operated a drug store, which was across the railroad tracks from Decatur’s train depot. (This location now houses Farmstead 303.) In 1923, the Winnona Park Elementary School was constructed; the original school building is still used by the City of Decatur Schools and is the centerpiece of the community.
Architecture
- Agnes Lee Chapter House, United Daughters of the Confederacy, 120 Avery St. Built as a residence by Wilson Gosnell in the Colonial Revival style, this house is on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic PlacesThe National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. - Avary-Fulton House, South Columbia Drive. Constructed in 1868, this is reportedly the oldest house in Decatur, Georgia.
Churches
Winnona Park religious congregations include:- All Souls Fellowship, 647 East College Ave. PCA-affiliated church located in East Decatur Station.
- Columbia Presbyterian Church, 711 South Columbia Dr. PCUSA-affiliated church located on the campus of Columbia Theological Seminary; membership is open to the public.
- Julie Thompson Smith Chapel, Agnes Scott College. This chapel conducts on-campus services for students, faculty and campus visitors of Agnes Scott College.
Parks
- Dearborn Park, 1302 Deerwood Drive. The 7 acres (28,328 m²) DeKalb County park has a basketball court, multi-use court, playground, picnic area and trail. It is located partially within the city of Decatur.
- Winnona Park Elementary School playground, 510 Avery St., includes a creekside playground and green space. However, this is school property and not a municipal park.
Transportation
Winnona Park is near major transportation arteries, but has a limited number of roads connecting it to downtown Decatur due to the east-west rail line.- DeKalb Avenue/East College Avenue, is the northern boundary of Winnona Park. East College Avenue serves at a primary entry point to the neighborhood from Avondale Estates and Interstate 285. East College is the highest point in the neighborhood and is located on the Eastern Continental DivideEastern Continental DivideThe Eastern Continental Divide, in conjunction with other continental divides of North America, demarcates two watersheds of the Atlantic Ocean: the Gulf of Mexico watershed and the Atlantic Seaboard watershed. Prior to 1760, the divide represented the boundary between British and French colonial...
. - AvondaleAvondale (MARTA station)Avondale is an at-grade train station on the Blue Line of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority rail system . It serves Avondale Estates, Georgia , Clarkston, and the communities of Druid Hills, Scottsdale, Tucker, Northlake and North Decatur...
MARTAMetropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit AuthorityThe Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority or MARTA is the principal rapid-transit system in the Atlanta metropolitan area and the ninth-largest in the United States. Formed in 1971 as strictly a bus system, MARTA operates a network of bus routes linked to a rapid transit system consisting...
rail station, is located northeast of Winnona Park at Sam’s Crossing and East College Avenue. - Memorial DriveMemorial Drive (Atlanta)Memorial Drive is a long road that runs from Stone Mountain to downtown Atlanta, Georgia. In 2000, a part of Memorial Drive was named "Cynthia McKinney Parkway," but the naming has come under scrutiny since her primary defeat in 2006....
, is located south of Winnona Park.