Access Atlanta > The Newcomer > Archives > 2008 > May > 21 > Entry
So is it Uptown or Buckhead?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
While admiring Atlanta’s skyline with some pals the other night, someone pointed out the rough, far-away border between Downtown and Midtown.
Downtown, Midtown. So do you have an uptown? one visitor asked.
Well, yeah. But we call it Buckhead.
Really? Why?
Silence, the kind of silence that only happens when everybody is reaching for a bit of trivia and coming up with…nothing.
The common tale seems to be that Buckhead is really named in honor of the head of a deer.
Here’s the story from Buckhead.net:
“As a community, Buckhead traces its origin to Henry Irby’s general store and tavern, which was founded in 1837, according to an Irby descendant. It was located at what is now the northwest corner of West Paces Ferry Road and Roswell Road. Irby’s tavern became the stopping place for travelers rich and poor in the thinly populated wilderness and the community that grew up around it was known as Irbyville. He maintained it until well after the Civil War. Irby, who died in 1879, is buried in the Sardis Methodist Church cemetery on Power’s Ferry Road near its intersection with Roswell Road.
It was Irby, according to his descendant, who killed a large deer and mounted the ‘buck head’ where travelers could see it.
Why this display made such an impression on people who came across it is hard to say. Some sources describe it as a sort of joke, a way of poking fun at European noblemen who displayed hunting trophies on their walls. At any rate, the name Buckhead proved durable, and a campaign in the late 19th century to rename the area Northside Park was unsuccessful.”
If you’re dying to know more, there’s a book called “Buckhead: A Place for All Time” by Susan Kessler Barnard.
And of course, the Atlanta History Center is located in Buckhead.
It’s seems everything here is named for a reason. Curious about other places? Say so in the comments. We’ll figure it out.
Permalink | Comments (47) | Post your comment | Categories: Make This Place Make Sense, Neighborhoods
Comments
By LikeToBlog
May 21, 2008 7:49 AM | Link to this
I like the term Buckhead just fine. It is unique to Atlanta.
What I dislike is when we try to steal ideas from other cities. For example, I live in the south part of buckhead. The other day I heard someone call it “SoBu”. I cringed!
Let South Beach have “SoBe”, but let us keep Buckhead please!
By Charles
May 21, 2008 7:55 AM | Link to this
Why not call it “Hip Hop City”? That seems like the appropriate term with the sounds and sights there.
By Abc
May 21, 2008 7:55 AM | Link to this
Love the story. I also think that the name Buckhead has stuck might refer to the bar area it once was. It was nothing short of a meat market and showing off trophy catches.
About other things odd of Atlanta. I have always heard that the marta rail system was built on top of the Old Trolly system lines. Is this true? I also have heard that the respected area of Brookhaven was once where they made mustard gas during a war.
By Mike
May 21, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this
If you’re old enough to have voted for Ivan Allen, you probably DO call Buckhead “Uptown.”
Ironically, this year marks Buckhead’s 100th anniversary as an incorporated city - if it hadn’t been annexed to Atlanta more than fifty years ago.
By LR
May 21, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this
I’d like to know why the Toco Hills area, which is known for having a large orthodox Jewish population, has these streets named stuff like ‘Merry Lane,’Christmas Lane,’ and ‘Holly Lane’. Was someone poking fun or is this just coincidental?
By Jeff
May 21, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this
Well, I know the story (vaguely) behind most of the areas I grew up in. For the most part, old dead white guys that did something someone thought they should have a county or town named after them for. Guys with names like Adair, Cass, Carter, Bartow, Cobb, Floyd, Gordon, and Pickens come readily to mind. Euharlee sounds kinda weird though and doesn’t seem to fit that profile, though I don’t know the story there. Acworth has something to do with old indian words meaning “many lakes”, I think. Similar with Kennesaw, though I’m not sure what the words meant. Marietta is another curiosity to me.
By Buckhead Native
May 21, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this
One thing is for sure, pretty soon, greedy politicians and developers will have wiped away all of the characteristics and elements that make up Buckhead’s personality. It will just a cold extension of downtown, with density and gridlock being its most notable features.
By zeke
May 21, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this
It does not matter what you call it! It is the pit of the earth, slumsville, ridiculous!
By Buckhead Native
May 21, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this
Buckhead has always been and still is a Very well-renouned & upscale neighborhood of native Residents of the area(then came the bars for a brief, and hopefully forgetable period of time) Buckhead, to anyone who knows ‘old’Atlanta’, knows this fact. Spread the knowledge please…and come take a look around- off of Peachtree
By lucy
May 21, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this
Any Atlanta native over 50 knows that Uptown Atlanta was the area where Macy’s (Davison’s) was and the Downtown area was where the old Rich’s was located. Five Points was in between.
By Hardy Pace
May 21, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
If you are interested in Buckhead history, this is a good site.
www.buckheadheritage.com
By Hardy Pace
May 21, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this
http://www.buckheadheritage.com
By Roy
May 21, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
It really is sad how Buckhead has changed. I remeber the down to earth places like Aunt Charlie’s and the place on paces, and the thing was, you’d leave a bar late at night and feel safe walking to your car. Even girls I knew went out to their cars unescorted! So what’s to go next? Henri’s bakery? It’d probably become something called…The Great Buckhead Sub Shop.
By BPJ
May 21, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this
Here’s a clarification of a frequent error, regarding the Virginia-Highland neighborhood: “The Highlands” are in northern Scotland. “Highlands” is a nice little town in North Carolina. Please take note. “I’m going to Virginia-Highland(s)” is appropriate usage. “I’m going to (The) Highlands” is not, if you’re headed to the neighborhood centered around the intersection of North Highland & Virginia Avenue.
As for Buckhead, 40 years ago it referred to what one could see from the 5-way intersection (Peachtree, Roswell, E. & W. Paces Ferry); now it seems to mean half of north Georgia. I agree “Sobu” is bogus, especially since that area has an older name: Brookwood.
By BooBuck
May 21, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
Who cares!! It’s sucks. All that money and no class. It’s the tackiest community I and lots of the people have seen.
By BooBuck
May 21, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
Who cares!! It’s sucks. All that money and no class. It’s the tackiest community I and lots of the people have seen.
By Thank you BPJ
May 21, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
Thanks, BPJ. Hearing people call Virginia-Highland(s) The Highlands just makes me cringe. I blame Bert Weiss from The Bert Show for starting that unfortunate trend. Of course, he’s known for spreading all kinds of misinformation, but that’s another topic… :-)
By DBH
May 21, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this
Keep it ‘Buckhead’. Like someone else said, it’s unique to Atlanta. The term ‘Uptown’ reminds me too much of our little sister-city up I-85 in Charlotte. :-/
By Frank
May 21, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this
@LR Its actually Toco Hill, not hills. There is only one hill apparently. My wife corrects me all the time since she grew up there. Anyway, I have that same thought every morning, since I drive past there on my way to work.
By Former Buckheader
May 21, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
Buckhead is no way part of the Uptown part of Atlanta. It’s a separate community w/in the city limits. Buckhead has its own identity. I lived there from 86-98 year and did not need to go downtown, except for work, or ever feel it was part of downtown. We would call Midtown, Uptown back then, but now Midtown has its own thing going on. Buckhead should keep its name b/c of its history, neighborhoods and uniqueness. It is not all thugs, even though things have changed some over the last 10 years. How new Atlantans & visitors view Buckhead is different than the way it was in the 80s. Hopefully, getting rid of the bars & the new development in the Village will bring the area back to its heyday. As for Toco Hill, the streets were named before the Jewish community moved in. The community grew around the Synagogue on Lavista that was built years after the homes and streets were built.
By Larry
May 21, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
Uptown is the area between Midtown and Buckhead. Roughly from the Brookwood split (75/85) to P’tree Battle. Think Piedmont Hospital area.
By LR
May 21, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
@Frank — Not sure I’ve counted them myself, but Google begs to differ: Google Map of Toco Hills area
I do see a lot of the businesses in that area using the singular, though, e.g. ‘Regions Bank: Toco Hill Office’
By Va-Hi
May 21, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
It is Virginia-Highland. There is no “s” on the end.
By Ryan
May 21, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
@LR - Rumor has it the guy who owned the land named the streets for his two daughters Jody and Holly. Hence, “Merry Christmas Jody, Holly”
By naturalcurl
May 21, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this
Hey LR, Frank is right, too. Here’s the story from ajchomefinder: The Toco Hills neighborhood takes its name from a large commercial area, actually two shopping centers, located at the busy intersection of LaVista and North Druid Hills roads. According to Clyde Shepherd, the man who came up with the name in the mid-1950s, Toco comes from a Brazilian Indian word meaning “very good luck.” He built the area’s first strip mall on North Druid Hills Road, featuring what was then a giant A&P supermarket of 10,000 square feet. The development, located where the Office Depot is now, got the name “Toco Hill.” “It was a hill in those days,” said Mr. Shepherd. The name gradually changed to Toco Hills. The area is not far from I-85 and the vast ethnic diversity of Buford Highway. Emory University and the Clifton Corridor are about 10 minutes away. The area is home to a large Jewish population and a wide array of kosher foods is available. Wooded subdivisions featuring mostly ranch homes surround the area.
By GayGrayGeek
May 21, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
I lived in the Toco Hill(s) area for several years in the early 90’s, and I was always told that “Toco” was cutesy-poo shorthand for “TOp of the COunty”
By ST
May 21, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
Thank you for the corrections about the use of “The Highlands.” You can tell someone is new to the area or in their 20’s when they use that phrase. I am a native and in my 30’s; it will always be Virginia-Highland to me. Funny thing is my mom, and all of her friends who grew up there in the 1930’s, call it “Highland-Virginia.” So I guess it is something different to every group!!
By doorknob
May 21, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
BROOKWOOD - WELCOME TO THE UGLY!!! I work in what is refered to as Brookwood, or South Buckhead; which ever it is, it’s easily the ugliest part of the city. Peachtree Rd from the Amtrak Station up to Peidmont Hospital is flat out hidious, not to mention quit dangerous for pedestrians. Its susposedly a ‘nice’ part of town - I certainly would never pay money for any realestate in this part of town. Brookwood (South Buckhead) = UGLY
By MB
May 21, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
ST, your mom has it right, according to my dad, who also grew up there back when Horace was sweeping the sidewalk in front of Mo’s & Joe’s.
It was called Highland-Virginia then, and I still call it that today in deference to that history (and to get a rise out of “the Highlands” crowd).
By MP
May 21, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
Grew up in Buckhead in the early 60’s. What I can remember that is no longer there: Central Chevrolet The Hart Restaurant (Publix) Woody’s (@ Moes I think) Baker Motors (3$ cafe) C&S Bank (Aaron’s) The Firestation (The Lodge) Coke sign in the middle of the park (on top of a building with several shops) Sears (late 60’s) 7 Steers restaurant (RioBravo) Buckhead Hardware Reeder/McGahee sporting goods Shell Station/Exxon Station Gulf Station (IHOP) Al’s Pizza (Aunt Charleys) Lenox Square (outdoor mall) Liquor Store (Park Place)
By mary
May 21, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
maybe these people call it “the highlands” because saying virginia-highlands is a pain in the rear??? just like in new york you call the upper east side, the upper east. I’m a native and always say “the highlands”
By mary
May 21, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this
maybe these people call it “the highlands” because saying virginia-highlands is a pain in the rear??? just like in new york you call the upper east side, the upper east. I’m a native and always say “the highlands”
By Briarcliff
May 21, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
Frank I’ve lived in the Toco Hills/Northlake area for 30 years, it’s Toco HILLS…..never has it been Toco Hill……Look at the marquee next time you drive by. Sorry, but your wife is wrong.
By Duluth
May 21, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this
Buckhead, in its day, was THE place to be seen. Carlos McGees was the bomb. You could walk all over the “party district” with alcohol, from one bar to the other. It was safe.
Then the hip hop crowd found buckhead, and now it is trashy, and not safe at all. I feel bad for the property owners, and their decreasing property values. It used to be such a beautiful part of town. We drove down from the ‘burbs to go to Buckhead……What a shame.
I am glad that I grew up at the time I did. I got to experience the TRUE ATLANTA of the 70’s and 80’s……..
By Garden HIlls Native
May 21, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this
Hey MP what was the name of the bar that was in the triangle at the Roswell/Peachtree split? Also, don’t forget Biuso’s, and what was the tea room that was there on the corner of Peachtree and Pharr opposite Baker Motors?
By ST
May 21, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
Mary— This is not New York. This is Atlanta. If we are going to use the New York method we should just call it Va-Hi (gagging sound).
By Jason
May 21, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
“I feel bad for the property owners, and their decreasing property values.”
What decreasing property values?
By jg
May 21, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
Garden Hills Native: If I remember correctly, the bar in the triangle was called the Red Dog Saloon, and the restaurant on Peachtree at Pharr was called Stratton’s.
By Garden Hills Native
May 21, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
Thanks jg that is correct. I was thinking Red Dog, but there was a bar in Little 5 Points in that triangle, and I remember seeing it as a child when my father would take me to get a haircut at the barber shop there. Maybe that was the Driftwood? But then, wasn’t Ken’s originally called Ken’s Driftwood?
By Goldfish
May 21, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
Patience everyone. Buckhead proper will be all shiny and pretty again thanks to two devlopers who have gobbled up the land to bring in Prada, Gucci and 5 star hotels. Yes gone is the charm of Irbyville, but natives haven’t and won’t leave during this time of transition. I am at the corner where the Buckhead once hung, trust me, we can’t wait either. Five Paces anyone?
By Goldfish
May 21, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
Patience everyone. Buckhead proper will be all shiny and pretty again thanks to two devlopers who have gobbled up the land to bring in Prada, Gucci and 5 star hotels. Yes gone is the charm of Irbyville, but natives haven’t and won’t leave during this time of transition. I am at the corner where the Buckhead once hung, trust me, we can’t wait either. Five Paces anyone?
By Lauren
May 21, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
As a ex-resident of Highlands, North Carolina, I have had many conversation in Atlanta along these lines: Me: I’m from Highlands, North Carolina. Random Atlanta person: Oh I love the Highlands! Me: It’s just Highlands. Atlanta person: Right! The Highlands is such a pretty area! Me: Uhhh… Thanks to the other poster who pointed out this annoyance. Not only is it just Highlands, but that is an actual specific town, and not the name of an area.
By Lauren
May 21, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
As a ex-resident of Highlands, North Carolina, I have had many conversations in Atlanta along these lines: Me: I’m from Highlands, North Carolina. Random Atlanta person: Oh I love the Highlands! Me: It’s just Highlands. Atlanta person: Right! The Highlands is such a pretty area! Me: Uhhh… Thanks to the other poster who pointed out this annoyance. Not only is it just Highlands, but that is an actual specific town, and not the name of an area.
By Goldfish
May 21, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
Lauren: The way I explain that to random persons: It’s just “Highlands”, no the. It would be like saying The Houston. Just because its plural doesn’t mean it needs a the.
By P&3
May 21, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
I think we should reserve the term “Uptown” for the area between Midtown and Buckhead from Peachtree over to Piedmont that could develop around a new MARTA station connected to the BeltLine and the Brain Train.
Jeff: I’ve heard that Euharlee is Cherokee for “She laughs as she runs.”
By Jeff
May 21, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
Funny isn’t it, Buckhead started out as a bar and now that’s the one thing no one wants there.
By PK
May 22, 2008 1:55 AM | Link to this
Buchead: I live south of Pharr road. Funnily enough, I was talking a walk earlier this evening (before reading this blog) and saw the buckhead sculpture with the animals in the triangle park. I read the plaque and it had the same story about the Irby bar. There’s still an Irby street. If you go off Peachtree and just go on the side roads, like somebody mentioned earlier, you will be able to see traces of what I imagine Buckhead must have been like before the ‘invasion’. Henri’s bakery for example, and many other little places are just hidden back there. I really hope that these people who are developing/buying land will not desecrate what I like to call now the true Buckhead. They can keep their shiny office buildings along Peachtree.
Brookwood Somebody mentioned something about Brookwood being ugly. It’s not, but you have to know where to go. (I also work around Brookwood, very close to Piedmont Hospital) If you ever have the patience to take a walk, go on Collier road and you will see a park entrance somewhere past Ardmore road. Apparently it is an old civil war battlefield and the creek, though dirty, runs through it.