East Atlanta

East Atlanta is a homey neighborhood that's endearingly known as the best kept secret in Atlanta. Locals proudly display their East Atlanta Village stickers on their cars, a testament to the sense of pride that's brought about by the strong sense of community in this place. Though only 10 percent of Atlanta's total area, East Atlanta is almost like a little city in itself. The neighborhood is a harmonious conglomeration of beautiful homes, family-friendly recreational facilities, a bustling nightlife, and lively local festivals.

The history of East Atlanta is peppered with stories of struggle and triumph against seemingly insurmountable odds. This neighborhood was the very place where The Battle of Atlanta took place in 1864. Until now, residents still commemorate this historic event.

East Atlanta underwent major development after the Second World War. A lumber and concrete business was established on Glendwood Avenue, and shortly after, residential areas increased as well. This led to the flourishing of more local businesses and to the economic and social progress of East Atlanta as a whole.

East Atlanta became one of the controversial neighborhoods during the civil rights movement of the 1960s. It was identified as one of the locations of racial segregation since Ku Klux Klan members lived in the adjacent area. When the Fair Housing Act was implemented, middle-class black people were given the opportunity to acquire houses in the neighborhood. A lot of white families living there weren't favorable to this though, and many of them sold their homes at very low prices. Real estate values dropped and the community suffered from a tarnished reputation.

In the 1980s, the East Atlanta Community Association was formed with the aim of promoting a renewed sense of unity among residents and ensuring a high quality of life. Since then, East Atlanta has significant improved and in recent years has even garnered a number of awards and citations.