Glennwood Estates (Decatur)

Glennwood Estates is a historic neighborhood located in the northeast section of Decatur, Georgia. It includes residences, a nature preserve and an adjoining city park. It is known for its spacious single-family homes and lots, which were comparatively large for the 1920s. It is bisected by Glenn Creek. The neighborhood remains an affluent enclave within Decatur.

Residential Streetscape on Glenn Circle, Decatur, GA

Glennwood Estates is accessed from East Ponce de Leon Avenue to the south, and Church Street and Sycamore Drive to the north. The heart of the community and primary north-south road is Glenndale Avenue. Glenndale Avenue has two roads that arc from it and reconnect - Mount Vernon Drive and Glenn Circle. Other roads in the community include Forkner Drive, Old Decatur Circle, Mountain View Street, Oak Lane, Hillcrest Avenue, Springdale Street and Pinecrest Avenue (which was referred to as Morse Hill in early DeKalb deed books).[1] The varied topography and curved, tree-lined streets with historic residences are notable. The neighborhood also borders the historic Decatur Cemetery, which is accessible through Glenlake Park.

Glenlake Park and the Decatur Cemetery are northwest of Glennwood Estates, and are accessible by a walking path off Glenndale Avenue. Ponce de Leon Court Historic District, with more modest bungalows that were also developed in the 1920s, is southwest of the neighborhood. Glenn Creek Nature Preserve and Decatur Heights lie to east of Glennwood Estates. Ridgeland Avenue, Hickory Street and Fairview Street were developed as a part of Glennwood Estates, but these roads are generally considered part of the Decatur Heights community now.

History
John T. Glenn’s house is documented in the lower left hand corner of this 1879 Map of Decatur (DeKalb Historical Society)

Glennwood Estates has been a distinct parcel since DeKalb County, Georgia, was first divided into parcels. The property passed through a number of owners until it was sold to John T. Glenn, a carpetbagger from New York, c. 1869.[1] Mr. Glenn began developing land in the area in the 1870s. His house is noted on an 1879 map of Decatur.[2] After his death, a small portion of the land was sold for Glenwood School.

The area south of Glenn Creek was first subdivision parcel developed in 1927 by Pattillo, Hamff & Robarts. The original development included a provision to keep the area north of the creek as a forest.[1] However, the area north of the creek was developed beginning in 1939, and the neighborhood was completed shortly after World War II.

Parks
  • Glenn Creek Nature Preserve, Fairview Street. A 2-acre (8,100 m2) nature preserve purchased in 2004, and located between Glennwood Estates and Decatur Heights. The primary entrance to the preserve is at the end of Fairview Street in Decatur Heights, but there are two private access points from Glennwood Estates. Glenn Creek bisects the site, running from the SE to the NW. There are walking paths within the preserve, and a clearing in the center of the preserve. The preserve is open to the public by appointment, but has a calendar of events on their website. "Glenn Creek" also was known as "Hunter's Branch" in the 19th Century, after a C.S.A. Colonel Hunter who owned property in the vicinity.[3]
  • Glenlake Park & Pool, 1121 Church Street. A 17-acre (69,000 m2) park with a picnic area, pool, tennis courts, sports courts, playground and dog park. Traditionally, “Glenn Lake” received its name by combining the names of the neighborhoods that are located on each side of it - Glennwood Estates and the Great Lakes neighborhood. Although the City of Decatur purchased the land from Tom Anderson in 1950, the property was owned by Mr. Hunter beginning in 1872. Hunter, a C.S.A. colonel, supported himself in the post-war years by operating a peach brandy brewery. (The brewery is reputed to have been located where the pool is.)[3]

Transportation
  • Ponce de Leon Avenue, is located south of the neighborhood, and is the primary entry point from Atlanta.
  • Avondale MARTA rail station, is located southeast of the neighborhood.
  • Church Street, is located north of the neighborhood, and is the primary entry point from Interstate 285.
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References
  • Clark, Caroline McKinney. The story of Decatur, 1823-1899. DeKalb Historical Society (1996).
  • Price, Vivian. Historic DeKalb County: An Illustrated History (Georgia Heritage Series). Historical Publishing Network (2007).

Notes
  1. "" Glenwood Estates Association Website: History. Retrieved: 14 August 2008.
  2. " Archived 2005-07-21 at the Wayback Machine" Glencreek Watershed Website: History. Retrieved: 14 August 2008.
  3. " Archived 2005-07-21 at the Wayback Machine" Glencreek Watershed Website: History. Retrieved: 18 August 2008.

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