The neighborhood didn’t seem particularly historic when Bonnie Grey Flynt moved into Northwoods five years ago. But the community in Doraville has discovered its classic roots and is about to become a member of the National Register of Historic Places.
Built in the 1950s, Northwoods sports houses done in the chicest style of the day. The Mid-Century modern styles boast beamed ceilings, walls of windows, wood paneling and hardwood floors in what was then the latest in contemporary design. Those unusual ceilings were a big selling feature for Flynt.
“There are original, exposed pine beams in the kitchen, dining room, living room, bedrooms, even the hallways,” she said. “I knew I wanted vaulted ceilings, and these were amazing.”
Flynt discovered the 700-home community when a real estate agent took her there. Now she is president of the Northwoods Area Neighborhood Association, a group whose membership was waning when she took over. But interest in the organization has been revitalized by the historic preservation movement, volunteer projects, social events, trash pickups and the arrival of a new entrance marker at McClave Drive and Buford Highway that fits with the community’s Mid-Century style. The sign, designed by resident Michael Halbert, has been so popular that neighbors are now working to raise enough money to install four more markers at other entrances. A recent community yard sale brought in $900 toward that goal.
“When we started advertising that we wanted to put up this new sign, we had people sending us checks to do it,” said 12-year resident Cindy Bradford, who is also the association’s treasurer. “We actually had about$350 left over, but we still need about $3,600 more to do all the signs we want.”
The new signs reflect the style of the neighborhood that first drew buyers by offering large lots and roomy houses with price tags of about $10,000. Bob Kelly, a 10-year resident whose house was built in 1958, recently wrote a book about Doraville that features a section on his neighborhood and its roots. In it, he told the story of many original buyers, some of whom worked at the nearby General Motors plant, as well as the one of the community’s architects.
“It was very neat to meet the man who created the design for the six model homes,” said Kelley, a freelance writer. “I also found that the two schools we have here - Cary Reynolds Elementary and Sequoyah Middle - were early design projects for [noted Atlanta architect] John Portman. But Northwoods is also special because it is one of only three remaining planned Mid-Century communities in the state that still survives.”
The research for the National Register nomination and a detailed history of the area was compiled by Georgia State students.
“Georgia State got involved because they were contacted by someone at the Army Corps of Engineers who was doing a study of flood plains and came across the original plans for the neighborhood,” said Flynt. “We helped out in any way we could, and got the DeKalb Historical Society involved to help with the research. We couldn’t have done it without them.”
The neighborhood association has donated all the materials created by the students to the DeKalb Historical Society.
Each Saturday, we shine a spotlight on a local neighborhood, city or community. To suggest a place for us to visit, e-mail H.M. Cauley at hm_cauley@yahoo.com or call 404-514-6162.
About the Author
