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| Neighborhood History |
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 This history of the neighborhood plays a vital part in the identity of its residents. If you have lived in the neighborhood for many years, the neighborhood history is a heartfelt reminder of days gone by.
If you have just come to call the neighborhood home, it is a way to learn more about the new community you have joined. We love sharing the history of Piedmont Heights with all who reside here. If you are interested in adding tidbits of information to the history of the neighborhood, please contact us! |
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The History of Piedmont Heights
That section of Atlanta which is now known as Piedmont Heights was at one time Cherokee Territory, and the Indians roamed its woodlands. In the 1820's, the Indians having been removed by federal authority, many hundreds of acres of this land were given by grant to Benjamin Plaster, Sr. for his services in the War of 1812.
The portion of the Plaster land grant which was to become Piedmont Heights then lay in Dekalb County, which had been created in 1822. During subsequent years, Plaster disposed of some of his holdings. His will shows that in 1836 he still owned 1,316 acres which lay on both sides of Plaster's Bridge Road, now called Piedmont Road.
During the Civil War, Federal forces moved upon Atlanta in July 1864, and General T.J. Wood's troops were entrenched in an area just east of present day Morningside Baptist Church. Consequently, Piedmont Heights may be described as being on the periphery of the Battle of Atlanta.
The misfortunes of war, though severe, left members of the Plaster family still in possession of their Piedmont Heights property. An 1893 map shows D.L. Plaster as owner of almost the entire Land Lot number 57 in which this property lies. For many decades this area continued to be primarily rural in character, devoted to farming and dairy farms. Although a few homes existed, real estate development did not begin until the 1920's following the opening of Ansley Park. It was then that Ansley's neighboring section took on the name Piedmont Heights and property began to change hands.
Gradually portions of Piedmont Heights were taken into the city. The first annexation occurred in 1928 when lots fronting on the east and west sides of today's Monroe Drive and lying south of Wimbledon Road were taken in. By slow degrees, annexation and development continued through the 1940's. The 1950's brought rapid changes with the development of Rock Springs Road and Wimbledon Road, but also considerable re-zoning and establishment of numerous businesses.
This neighborhood called Piedmont Heights actually dates back to 1912, according to Fulton County tax records. It's reported that the second oldest home in Atlanta stands today on Montgomery Ferry in our neighborhood. The Liddell House was built sometime around 1860 and is still a home today. Do you know which home it is? Other early residents included the Plasters, the Hopes and the Monroes. Many nearby streets and subdivisions are named after these pioneers.
The first neighborhood association was started in the Fall of 1956; it was called the Piedmont Civic Club.
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