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Neighborhood Info
In addition to the Kirkwood neighborhood, this map also includes neighborhoods such as Edgewood, Candler Park, and Lake Clair. During the Civil War, the Battle of Atlanta started near the intersection of Memorial Drive and Clay Street. Some of the prominent families who initially owned land in this area included the Kirkpatricks, the Dunwoodys, and the Clays. The name Kirkwood is likely derived from a mash-up of Kirkpatric and Dunwoody. Like many of Atlanta’s intown districts, Kirkwood got its start in 1899 as a streetcar suburb. In fact, the streetcars still ran in Kirkwood until the 1950’s. In 1922, Kirkwood became part of Atlanta. During the 1940’s the racial make-up of the area began to change which sparked white flight and resulted in segregation.
During the 1960s and 1970’s the area experienced the same urban decline common to many of Atlanta’s in-town districts. According the neighborhood’s website: “In the 1980s and 1990s, Kirkwood began to revitalize and redevelop, as more people rediscovered its charm and potential. Some of the historic homes were restored or renovated by new owners who appreciated their architectural style and history.” Which is a polite way of describing gentrification.
Street Art in the Neighborhood
Many murals in the Kirkwood area are near DeKalb Ave. This DeKalb Ave corridor of street art stretches all the way from the Inman Park border to the town of Decatur. This map also includes Pullman Yards, an Arts and Entertainment destination. The complex features a large mural wall and several murals on empty shipping containers. The business district of Atlanta’s historic Kirkwood neighborhood is another street art hotspot. The Kirkwood Walls festival added five murals to the district’s collection. And when you are in Kirkwood, you might also want to check out the walking tour in the nearby Little Five Points Neighborhood.