North Buckhead Neighborhood History and
Sites of Interest
New (5/04/07)
1938
aerial photo of North Buckhead with current streets(542KB)
New (5/04/07)
1942 Hand-drawn
official map of North Buckhead - showing paved/dirt roads (706 KB)
New (12/2/04)
859 Loridans Drive - beautiful 1927 home on
the highest part of North Buckhead
New (5/15/01) History
of Emma and Lakemoore - text and pictures about North Buckhead from 1945
Pure Oil report
New (2/8/01, link fixed 4/14/01) History of Emma Lane, Emma Lake and the Lakemoore Area
New (2/8/01)
Peachtree Gardens "History" Incorrect
New (12/18/00) More
Info About Log House On Arden Way
New (10/06/00) Topographic
Map of North Buckhead
New (4/29/99) Material About North Buckhead's Rock Quarry
New (4/2/99) Material About Earliest Buckhead Church
Updated 6/2/03 What is North Buckhead? Where is it?
North Buckhead is a residential, mixed-use and urban neighborhood inside the City of Atlanta, north of the
Lenox Square area. The area is heavily wooded with many hills and
valleys. It is conveniently located and has easy access to Atlanta's best shopping
and to the majority of its finest restaurants. Commuting is easier from North
Buckhead since it is located on the city side of GA 400's toll gates and has
the Buckhead MARTA station and the Lenox MARTA station is nearby.
New 10/6/05
- Interactive
Google Map of North Buckhead
North Buckhead's land area is about 2.5 square miles, about 2% of the area of the entire
City and is one of Atlanta's largest neighborhoods. It has over 3,500
owner-occupied residences. Of these, about 48% are single family houses on individual lots. The
remaining 52% are condominiums, both low-rise complexes and high-rises. New infill subdivisions and
redevelopment of existing home sites are common, gradually increasing the
number of free-standing single family homes. New condominiums
continue to boost the neighborhood population more
rapidly.
Click to enlarge
| Direction |
North Buckhead Boundary |
| South |
Peachtree Rd from Piedmont Rd to Peachtree-Dunwoody Rd |
| West |
Piedmont Rd from Peachtree Rd to Roswell Rd
Roswell Rd to Atlanta City limits (beyond W Wieuca Rd) |
| North |
Atlanta City limits |
| East |
Peachtree-Dunwoody Rd |
North Buckhead includes over 100 intersections involving over 80
different street names. Immediately beyond North Buckhead's southern and southwestern residential
area is a heavily commercial/institutional and high density residential area which includes a number of
shopping centers, high-rise office building and hotels. Many owners of
these high-rise homes have joined the North Buckhead Civic Association. Intensive development is
under way in this area.
The western boundary is generally light commercial (strip
malls along with small stores and restaurants) along Roswell Road. The remaining
boundaries are residential -- Sandy Springs on the north, Brookhaven on the east.
About 40 restaurants (excluding fast food)
operate within North Buckhead's boundaries and a much larger number are
nearby.
North Buckhead offers quiet living (very comfortable to luxurious living) in
a heavily wooded area with immediate access to many employment
opportunities, the best shopping in the southeast US, and convenient access
to the rest of the city by expressway and rapid
transit.
Neighborhood History of Our Part of Atlanta
 | 2/23/02
Indian Days
|
The Creek (Muscogee) Indians inhabited the area south of the Chattahoochee River for
thousands of years. They had several settlements along Nancy Creek, the nearest to
North Buckhead being in Chastain Park (under the filled-in ball field). They were
forced out of the area by the US Government in 1821. See Chastain
once Indian land.
| War of 1812 Era Events
|
Peachtree Road Commissioned by US Government
During the War of 1812, the Creek Indians, residing in our general neighborhood, sided
with the British. In order to facilitate US Army travel between outposts in the
area, Peachtree Road was commissioned and built. It went east and north from
Buckhead to Gwinnett County along present Peachtree Road and west from Buckhead to the
Chattahoochee River along the general path of West Paces Ferry Road.
Early Non-Native-American Resident of North Buckhead Area
John Evins and his wife Nancy came to our area in 1818. They had extensive land
holdings at the north end of North Buckhead, with a home near present-day Peachtree
Dunwoody and Windsor Parkway. Historian Franklin M. Garrett believes that nearby Nancy
Creek got its name from Nancy Evins.
4/2/99 Buckhead's First Church - Sardis
Methodist
| Civil War Era Events
|
Buckhead Occupied by Federal Army
On July 18, 1864, during the Battle of Atlanta, the Federal Army occupied Buckhead and
the ridge between Peachtree Road and Nancy Creek, west of North
Buckhead.
| 1890s - 1920s
|
Stone Hunting Lodge On Mountain Way
A stone house can be found at a bend on Mountain Way on the North Ivy
side of the Little Nancy Creek bridge. It is said to be an old hunting lodge which
dates from 1890. Other people say this house was built in the late 40s. 
Photo: Gordon Certain.
Lake At Mountain Drive
According to long-time residents, the depressed marshy area bounded by
Mountain Drive and North Ivy was once a man-made lake, with a dam near the present-day
bridge on North Ivy near Mountain Way. The dam was removed around 1920, reportedly
about the time the Peachtree Gardens Club House was built.
A reader on our "Fence Talk" page left the following comments: "As for
the dam on the Little Nancy Creek, it was put there to form a lake, and a sandy
"beach" was made at the time that Peachtree Gardens was built. It was,
originally built to be a delux resort. The grand opening was attended by the then Govenor
of Georgia, the Mayor of Atlanta and other notables. Blue Baron, with his nationally known
orchestra, played for the Grand Opening gala."
|
12/18/00
Log House at 37 Arden Way
More Recent info here
As recently as the late 1980s and early 1990s, there were several log houses in North
Buckhead. One on the west side of Wieuca Road near North Ivy
Road was torn down around 1995. The last one that we are aware of is on the west side of Arden Way.
The exact age of this house is not known, probably 1880s or
1890s. However, according to the current owner, the street
address was recognized in 1903. At that time the street name
may have been Innis Road. Better pictures of the house will be
posted here in the spring.
|
(click for larger image)
Photo: Gordon Certain.
Sites of Interest in Our Part of Atlanta
| Things to See
|
Mill Site on Wieuca Road
An old mill site can be observed just south of the intersection of Wieuca Road and
Nancy Creek on the west side of the road. The mill dam was in ruins for many years
but was rebuilt when the adjacent property was subdivided and re-developed. If
anyone can provide additional historical information about the mill, we will be glad to
publish it on this site. Please contact us.
(Click each small image to see a larger image)
Photos by: John
Noell of Noell Communications
Peachtree Gardens Club House
A large old club house exists, in somewhat declining condition, west of the
intersection of North Ivy Road and Buff Road, near North Stratford Road. It was
constructed around 1927 by Theodore Benning, built as a dance hall. The dance hall
was very popular and was said to be used constantly until 1972.
<% ' 
' 
' Photo by: John
' Noell of Noell Communications
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If anyone can provide additional historical information about the
history and events at the club house, we will be glad to publish it on this site.
Please contact us.
Neighborhood Physical Characteristics
| Neighborhood Elevation Above Sea Level
|
Highest Point:
1016 Feet at St James Methodist Church at Lordians Drive and Peachtree-Dunwoody Road
Lowest Point:
About 815 Feet at Roswell Road and Nancy Creek
| Bodies of Water
|
Lakes:
| Lake Emma (Visible from Lakemoore Drive and Land O'Lakes Drive) |
 Emma at Lakemoore Colony Condominiums |
Streams:
| Nancy Creek along the north border of North Buckhead |
| Little Nancy Creek runs through North Buckhead from Peachtree-Dunwoody near Stovall Blvd
into Nancy Creek at Wieuca near Loridans |
Other Neighborhood History and Sites
| If neighborhood residents know of other topics of neighborhood historical interest or
sites of interest, please contact us. Items of
special interest include origin of the names: |
- Buff (Drive) (See note from Charles Taylor.)
- Carmain (Drive) (See info about Carmain Dairy.)
- Chastain (Park)(See note from Grant Thomson.)
- Glengary (Drive)
- (Lake) Emma
- Loridans (Drive)
- Stovall (Boulevard)
- Wieuca (Road) (See note from Charles Taylor.)
- Windsor (Parkway)
| When was Peachtree Dunwoody Road built? How old is Wieuca Road? |
| Do you know of any interesting trees, houses, archeological or geological structures in
our area? If so, please contact us. We'll
share them on this site! |
Neighborhood History Reported by Visitors to NBCA Web Site
Waldtraut Lavroff of Carmain Drive (May 17, 1998)
Carmain Drive History
"The spring on my property [4250 Carmain] used to be the only water supply (pumped
into what is now 4260 Carmain Dr.) before the street became citified.
"There was an active quarry in the ravine behind our properties
on Carmain."
Sara Mayeux of Herrington Drive (May 17, 1998)
Sarah Smith Elementary History
"I know from a school project that Sarah Smith was originally built in the '50s
because N. Buckhead had just been included into the City Limits. It was named after
the daughter of a prominent Atlanta family, and then it was grades K-7. I remember
my kindergarten class was the last to have Mr. Pepe as principal."
Herrington History Needed
"Also, Does anyone know the history of HERRINGTON DRIVE?"
Louis Mayeux of Herrington Drive (May 17, 1998)
Weiuca Road Name/History
"In regard to Wieuca Road, I've heard Franklin Garrett say the name was derived
from the initials of a developer's daughters' names. The guy developed Sutter's
Mill.
Charles Taylor of North Ivy Road (May 17, 1998)
Weiuca Road Name
Charles reported that he understood the the name Wieuca came from the names of a
developers three daughters. Charles said their names were WILMA, EUGENIA, and
CATHERN -- WI-EU-CA.
Peachtree Gardens Clubsite History
Charles also reported that he had heard that the clubsite area (bounded by North Ivy
Road and Mountain Drive) had been a lake before the clubhouse was built in the 20s.
He said that there had been a dam there is now a bridge on North Ivy.
Buff Drive Name History
Charles says that one of the two original residents on Buff were the Buffington
familty. He suspects the name Buff may be related to the name Buffington.
Reed Curtis of Glengary Drive (May 12, 1998)
Origin and History of Chateaugay Lane
"Chateaugay Lane which is off of Loridans Dr. was named after Chateaugay the
winner of the 1963 Kentucky Derby. The circle at the end of what is now Chateaugay
Lane was at one time private horse stables."
Grant Thomson of Ivy Chase (May 11, 1998)
Source of Wieuca Road's Name
"I have read that Wieuca came from some arrangement of the initials of the
developers children."
Chastain Park History
"I know Chastain Park used to be a prison site. It was a farm where the
inmates worked the fields raising vegetables. The present Galloway School was an
alms house for the whites, while the art center was the alms house for the blacks. I
don’t know for sure, but I think the name Chastain came from the landowner who owned
the surrounding property and who ultimately left the stables to the city in his will.
It stated that the stable property would revert to his estate if it were ever sold
(which Maynard Jackson apparently tried to do)."
"The Shadow Observer" (January 15, 2001)
Peachtree Gardens "History" Incorrect
[The following are direct quotes from several very long emails I
received from "The Shadow Observer". I omitted much of
these emails and much of my response in the interest of brevity.
What is left is still quite long. Gordon]
"Dear Sir,
After reviewing nearly all materials on the nbca.org website pertaining
to the history and facts of the Peachtree Gardens Night Club and the surrounding area I regret to say that it is laughable. Much of your
information obviously has been gathered by individuals who either had no clue what they were talking about. Or who had spoken to those who also had
no facts, yet made them up as they went a long.
"Not only is the most recent history incorrect, the background, construction dates and operation records you have are incorrect as well, and
90% fiction. Peachtree Gardens in fact was not originally called 'Peachtree
Gardens.' Nor was it built in 1927, nor was it supposed to be any kind of private club for the elite as some document on your site insinuated at one
time. Neither was the property ever a lake or ever planned to be. Nor did an
eight foot fence surround the property. A six foot wooden fence lined the
road behind Peach on N. Ivy road.
"The structural damage that caused the building to go into excellerated
deterioration was not sustained by a tornado, nor did the said tornado simply 'rip off shingles which were never replaced.' It is true very bad
weather ripped through the property through out the early 90's. But the structural damage that it caused was in relation to other points of the
building and other weather conditions. Sadly outside the damage to the roof
90% of the damage INSIDE Peach was man made.
"Sadly, the entire neighborhood excluding one resident T.R. Benning Jr.
has honestly no clue what Peach was in her golden years. Nor do they have much of a clue what the neighborhood it's self was, so they make up these
tall tales, i.e. 'Rock Quarry,' and 'Lake at Mountain Drive,' among other areas. One of the first houses in the neighborhood belonged to T.R. Benning
Sr. which sits at 751 Mountain Drive. The Benning family being the first major family of the neighborhood in fact owned 95% of the land surrounding
Peach. Including the property of 4098 North Stratford. The property directly
behind it on Buff Drive. The entire property within the ring of N. Ivy and
Mountain Drive. As well as the property at 751 Mountain Drive. Including the
property which extends under GA 400 along Mountain Way. Anyone who knows anything about this neighborhood will laugh at what the
current residents have whipped up. It's a classic case of not knowing your
history. Only the worse part is they're making it up as they go along basing
it loosely on vague information from aging individuals, or third party information from people who only rely on materials found in libraries and
archives.
"The Shadow Observer."
"
"Dear Sir,
"Much of the information you wish me to confirm I am with holding until
the documentary in production has been completed. Information which has been
directly gathered from the remaining Benning children in refrence to 'Peach'
and the surrounding properties. After all they are the ones who built it and
lived there before anyone else.
"Until then you'll have to take my word for it."
"All my information is in original hand written or typed form or original photography and materials dating back to when the dance hall was
new. No third party information.
"As for this 'lake' it NEVER existed. I don't know WHO told you it did.
The creek flooded almost constantly because of the damn that was in place,
before it was blasted in 1928 after 'Peach' had been constructed. The details of this damn, why it was blasted, who it was blasted by and all
other details will be included in the two hour documentary.
"In the early 80's 'Peach' was in excellent condition. The dance floor
still in near mint condition (except for the need of a polish) the facitilities still in working order. Nothing in 'Peach' was ever shut off
until the 90's. Water, gas and electricity worked up until the first bad storm that began her downfall. The only reason the restoration and
renovation never took place is because the means to make up for the expenses
was taken away. Simply, restoration was cancelled when they could not reopen
and make up for the cost.
"May I ask that in respect to the remains of the dance hall you try to
refrain from referring to it as a 'club house.' Because it was nothing of the sort. It was a true, big band dance hall, nothing less.
"The Shadow Observer."
History of Emma Lane, Emma Lake and the Lakemoore Area
"When we purchased our home at 2 Emma Lane last year, we learned
quite a bit about this area of the neighborhood, some of which you may
already know.
"The area around Emma Lane was originally owned by Wiley Moore. He
was an executive with the Pure Oil Company and a civic leader (ran for mayor
and was Georgia's first Commissioner of Corrections) in the 1930s. He owned
about 200 acres, I think, in the area and his residence was 1 Emma Lane, the
large house at the end of the street on the right. Emma
was Mr. Moore's wife. Emma Lane was actually the driveway to the house. He
later built 2 Emma Lane (our house) and 3 Emma Lane for two of his four
children.
"This also would be the origin of Lakemoore Drive as, I think, the
entire estate or area was called Lakemoore. All
of this information is contained in a profile of him in the Pure Oil News
from years ago. We have a copy and I will make a point of sending you one.
There are pictures of the original three houses on the street, as well as
the club house at Lakemoore Colony (I also have a copy of the history of
these condos). I haven't read the article in a while, but I think he built
the series of dams and lakes that make up what is now the wetlands area at
the end of Emma Lane and the chain of lakes that eventually flow into Nancy
Creek over by Rickenbacker."
Bibliography
"Atlanta and Environs: A Chronicle of Its People and Events, Volume I", by
Franklin M. Garrett (Available at the Atlanta
History Center)
"Buckhead: A PLACE FOR ALL TIME" by Susan Kessler Barnard (Available at
Borders)
"What's in a Name: Places and Streets in the Atlanta Area", by Eva Galambos
(Available at the Atlanta History Center)
United States Geological Survey Maps of Atlanta
If you want to contact Gordon Certain about the neighborhood's history and things of
interest, please click here. |
Visitors to this page since March 28, 1998: 
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