DEKALB HISTORY CENTER PRESENTS “TALKING WALLS”
CITY OF AVONDALE ESTATES: National Register of Historic Places
Courtesy Terry Martin-Hart, Wednesday June 9th
 City Hall – View painting of founder George F. Willis; view City of
Avondale Estates paintings by artist and Civil War historian, Wilbur
Kurtz (circa 1920’s); early map of the City of Avondale Estates founded
in 1924, incorporated in 1926; view Forkner/Reinhardt Collections;
discussion of “Ingleside,” as the city was formerly known, including
Judge John Candler’s award-winning Mileybright farm and farmhouse
(now a Bed and Breakfast Inn) and Avondale Dairies.
 English Village – Designed (circa 1924) by prominent Atlanta architect,
Arthur Neal Robinson, showcasing the only fully-developed Tudor
Revival style in Georgia.
 Hairston’s – The Hairston family moved to Dekalb in 1818. William
Towers Hairston first rented the store from the city’s founding father,
George F. Willis, in 1931 and it quickly became the old-fashioned
General Store for many decades. Prior to then, W.L. Henley occupied
the building which housed coffins. Hailed as the only building Mr. Willis
did not tear down or remodel, today it has been remodeled as “The
Hairston Lofts,” an artists’ quarters with galleries .
 Gateways Into Avondale – National Registry Markers; 1st Waffle House
(now a Museum) and 1000th Waffle House (Avondale Tavern site, circa
1920’s); Twin Oaks Shopping Plaza, once a top-quality Riding Stable.
 Abelia Hedge – Planted in 1932-33, this historic hedge spanning three
blocks marks the route of the old Stone Mountain streetcar. A marker
near the west end - placed in 1938 by the Daughters of the American
Revolution - commemorates the Old Stage Coach Road from Augusta to
Nashville. Mention of historic Freeman house and city Christmas tree.
 Clock Tower & Shelter – Originally built by the Garden Club in 19351936 as a streetcar shelter at the end of the abelia hedge. In later years,
the shelter served as the first police station. The clock tower atop the
shelter was dedicated as part of the the city’s 50th Anniversary in 1976.
 Avondale Plaza – Discussion of the original seven homes and their use
as furnished models for touring - including home of prominent sculptor
Gutzon Borglum during his carving of Stone Mountain (circa 1923-25)
with state historic marker in front. Mention of other famous residents.
 Memorials – “The Flag Plaza” and other citywide memorials, including
the George F.Willis Monument (dedicated 1940) at Lake Avondale.