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North Druid Hills, Georgia

North Druid Hills, also known as Briarcliff or Toco Hills, is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (North Druid Hills CDP) in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The population was 20,385 in 2020. The commercial center of the area is the Toco Hill Shopping Center, located near the intersection of North Druid Hills Road and LaVista Road.

North Druid Hills, Georgia
Unincorporated community
Census-designated place
Toco Hills Shopping Center
Toco Hills Shopping Center
Location in DeKalb County and the state of Georgia
Location in DeKalb County and the state of Georgia
North Druid Hills is located in Atlanta
North Druid Hills
North Druid Hills
location within central Metro Atlanta
Coordinates: 33°49′11″N 84°19′41″W / 33.81972°N 84.32806°W / 33.81972; -84.32806
CountryUnited States
StateGeorgia
CountyDeKalb
Area
[1]
 • Total
4.46 sq mi (11.55 km2)
 • Land4.45 sq mi (11.53 km2)
 • Water0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2)
Elevation
1,014 ft (309 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
20,385
 • Density4,580.90/sq mi (1,768.54/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
FIPS code13-56168[2]
GNIS feature ID1805271[3]

History

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One of the earliest European settlers in north DeKalb County was Chapman Powell, whose "Medicine House" cabin was built near the intersection of Clairmont and North Decatur roads (later relocated to Stone Mountain Park, where it still stands). Dr. Powell (1798–1870) owned most of the land in the Candler Lake and South Fork Peachtree Creek area during his lifetime. His land was later purchased by Walter Candler.

Major Washington Jackson Houston owned land on the north side of the South Fork of Peachtree Creek, in what is now Briarcliff. Visitors used to visit Major Houston to buy ground cornmeal produced by his 1876 gristmill or to attend social gatherings held on his property. Major Houston converted the mill into an early hydroelectric plant circa 1900. Atlanta contractor Harry J. Carr bought Houston's land in the 1920s and constructed the fieldstone and wrought iron home now known as the Houston Mill House. Emory University purchased the home in the 1960s and renovated it. Houston Mill House, located at 849 Houston Mill Road, is now open for dining and special events.[4]

After World War II and continuing into the 1950s, many Jews moved out of Washington-Rawson, where Turner Field now stands, and the Old Fourth Ward into North Druid Hills and Morningside/Lenox Park.[5] Congregation Beth Jacob, an orthodox synagogue, moved to LaVista Road in 1962, and the neighborhood has since become a hub of Orthodox Judaism for the Atlanta area with three Jewish schools, six congregations and a mikveh located along or near LaVista Road.

The North Druid Hills CDP remained rural until 1965, when Executive Park was constructed on a former dairy farm as the first suburban office park in metropolitan Atlanta. Following the completion of Executive Park, the area boomed with suburban development.[6] The 19-story Executive Park Motor Hotel, built in the 1970s at the southeast corner of I-85 and North Druid Hills Road and which later served as a BellSouth training center,[7] was a modernist landmark until its demolition in November 2014[8] after being purchased by Children's Healthcare of Atlanta for $9.6 million in January 2013.[9]

Incorporation movement

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Following the incorporation of Brookhaven in 2012, the idea of incorporating a city of Briarcliff was proposed by a civic group known as the North Druid Hills Study Group.[10] Supporters cited more local control as reasons in favor of cityhood, while those against cityhood cited the lack of an identity, center, and boundaries as reasons against.[11][12] The city of Briarcliff boundaries would be:[13]

In March 2014 after failure of the first initiative the City of Briarcliff Initiative, Inc. announced plans for a second attempt at cityhood, which it dubbed "Briarcliff 2.0".[14]

Geography

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North Druid Hills is located at 33°49′11″N 84°19′41″W / 33.819654°N 84.328061°W / 33.819654; -84.328061.[15]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 5.0 square miles (13 km2), of which 0.20% is water. The CDP boundaries are:

 
North Druid Hills neighborhoods

Neighborhoods

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  • Biltmore Acres. South of LaVista Rd., west of Houston Mill Rd. & north of the South Branch of Peachtree Creek.
  • Briarcliff Heights. NW of Mount Brian Woods.
  • Green Hills. North of Briarcliff Rd. & south of I-85.
  • LaVista Park. East of DeKalb/Fulton line and west of Briarcliff Road.
  • Merry Hills. Between LaVista Rd. & North Druid Hills Rd.
  • Mount Brian Woods. North of North Druid Hills Rd., NW of LaVista Rd. & west of Clairmont Rd.
  • Sheridan Court. In CDP NW corner, around Sheridan Drive.
  • Woodland Hills. South of LaVista Road between Briarcliff Road & DeKalb County boundary.
  • Mason Mill. South of North Druid Hills Road & LaVista Road, between Clairmont Road & Houston Mill.
  • Vistavia Hills. On Vistavia Circle between Clairmont Road & Mason Woods Drive.
  • Executive Park. Developed in the early 1970s as one of Atlanta's first mixed-use developments; located at I-85 and North Druid Hills Road.[16]
  • Fama Pines. Consisting of the long dead end Fama Drive and the smaller Jacolyn Place spur, The entrance to Fama Pines is due north of the LaVista Road and N. Druid Hills intersection. Active since the 1950s.[17]

Toco Hills

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Toco Hills is a large commercial and residential neighborhood in the eastern portion of the North Druid Hills CDP. The commercial component consists of two major shopping centers that are located at the intersection of LaVista and North Druid Hills roads that were developed in the 1950s. While it is generally accepted that the name "Toco Hills" is derived from the Toco Hill shopping center, the origin of that name is disputed. Some sources claim that the developer chose the name Toco because it was the Brazilian Indian word for "good luck."[18] Other sources claim Toco is an informal abbreviation of "top of the County."[19][20] In any case, the shopping center was developed on what was a hill, and the name gradually changed to "Toco Hills." The area is home to a large Orthodox Jewish population, and marked by wooded subdivisions featuring mostly ranch homes surrounding the commercial area.[18]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
198012,438—
199014,17013.9%
200018,85233.0%
201018,9470.5%
202020,3857.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[21]
1850-1870[22] 1870-1880[23]
1890-1910[24] 1920-1930[25]
1940[26] 1950[27] 1960[28]
1970[29] 1980[30] 1990[31]
2000[32] 2010[33] 2020[34]

North Druid Hills was first listed as a census designated place in the 1980 U.S. census.[30]

North Druid Hills, Georgia – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[35] Pop 2010[36] Pop 2020[34] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 15,008 12,228 12,416 76.91% 64.54% 60.91%
Black or African American alone (NH) 1,363 2,354 2,735 7.23% 12.42% 13.42%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 26 38 37 0.14% 0.20% 0.18%
Asian alone (NH) 1,266 2,110 2,109 6.72% 11.14% 10.35%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 6 4 8 0.03% 0.02% 0.04%
Other race alone (NH) 84 45 186 0.45% 0.24% 0.91%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 284 324 828 1.51% 1.71% 4.06%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 815 1,844 2,066 4.32% 9.73% 10.13%
Total 18,852 18,947 20,385 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 20,385 people, 8,672 households, and 3,215 families residing in the CDP.

Government and infrastructure

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The United States Postal Service operates the Druid Hills Post Office at 1799 Briarcliff Road NE in the CDP.[37][38] The area uses an Atlanta, GA city designation for mailing purposes.

Diplomatic missions

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The Consulate-General of Mexico in Atlanta is in the North Druid Hills CDP.[38][39]

Education

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DeKalb County Schools serves the CDP.[38] Briar Vista Elementary School, the zoned school of most of North Druid Hills, is in the CDP.[38][40] Some portions are served by Sagamore Hills Elementary School.[41] Residents in North Druid Hills are also zoned to Druid Hills Middle School (in North Decatur CDP[42]) and Druid Hills High School (in Druid Hills CDP[43]).[44][45]

The Margaret Harris Comprehensive School, an alternative K-12 county school for disabled children, is in North Druid Hills.[46]

Parochial schools: The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta operates the Immaculate Heart of Mary School, a parochial school, at 2855 Briarcliff Road in the CDP.[38][47] The school initially had 238 pupils when it opened in August 1958. An addition was installed in circa the late 1960s/early 1970s.[48]

Private schools:

  • Annunciation Day School (ADS), at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 2500 Clairmont Road, NE. Private Greek Orthodox Christian pre-school. Private Greek Orthodox Christian elementary school (K-8).
  • Atlanta Montessori International School, 1970 Cliff Valley Way. Private pre-school - middle school.
  • Cliff Valley School, 2426 Clairmont Rd. Private elementary school.
  • Intown Community School, 2059 LaVista Rd. Private PCA-affiliated school.
  • Torah Day School of Atlanta, 1985 Lavista Road NE. Private K-8 Orthodox Jewish day school
  • Yeshiva Ohr Yisrael, 1458 Holly Lane. Private Orthodox Jewish boys high school.
  • Temima High School, 1985-B Lavista Road. Private Orthodox Jewish girls high school

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges is headquartered in North Druid Hills.[49][50]

Culture

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The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Metropolis of Atlanta is headquartered in North Druid Hills.[51]

Parks

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W.D. Thomson Park Trail Map
  • Kittredge Park, 1520 Kittredge Park Rd., 2-acre (8,100 m2) park with baseball field, pool and multi-use court.
  • LaVista Park, 1319 Brookforest Dr., 4-acre (16,000 m2) DeKalb County park with playground and picnic area.
  • W.D. Thomson Park, [often misspelled "Thompson"] 1760 Mason Mill Rd. (off Mason Woods Drive), 29-acre (120,000 m2) DeKalb County park with courts, playground, creek, picnic area and trails.

Transportation

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  • Briarcliff Rd. Major road unifying the CDP.
  • Interstate 85. CDP northern boundary.
  • LaVista Rd. Primary E-W road.
  • North Druid Hills Rd. Primary access from Interstate 85.

References

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  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  2. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ^ "The Historic Houston Mill House Hosts Atlanta Wedding Receptions and Banquets". Archived from the original on March 8, 2005. Retrieved May 11, 2005.
  5. ^ Hertzberg, Steven (1978). Strangers within the Gate City. Philadelphia: The Jewish Publication Society of America. p. 220. ISBN 9780827601024.
  6. ^ Pastoral Capitalism: A History of Suburban Corporate Landscapes, Louise A. Mozing, p. 179
  7. ^ "BellSouth training center", Flickr
  8. ^ ""19-story tower implosion takes down 1970's hotel"". 11alive.com. Archived from the original on November 29, 2015. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  9. ^ "Children's Healthcare buys former 19-story hotel", Douglas Sams, Atlanta Business Chronicle, January 3, 2013
  10. ^ "AJC: Sagamore Hills, North Briarcliff Considering Cityhood". Northdruidhills.patch.com. September 24, 2012.
  11. ^ "Levitas Avoids Press Question Regarding Cityhood Position". Northdruidhills.patch.com. January 20, 2013.
  12. ^ "North Druid Hills-Briarcliff, GA Patch - Breaking News, Local News, Events, Schools, Weather, Sports and Shopping". North Druid Hills-Briarcliff, GA Patch.
  13. ^ "Map, City of Briarcliff Initiative, Inc. website, retrieved 2014-04-16" (PDF). Briarcliffga.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 26, 2014. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  14. ^ "City of Briarcliff Initiative, Inc. website, retrieved 2014-04-16". Briarcliffga.org. Archived from the original on April 17, 2014. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  15. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  16. ^ "Atlanta Office Properties - Taylor & Mathis". Taylormathis.com.
  17. ^ "Log into Facebook - Facebook". Facebook. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  18. ^ a b [1] [dead link‍]
  19. ^ "Briarcliff neighborhood in Atlanta, Georgia (GA), 30329, 30345 subdivision profile - real estate, apartments, condos, homes, community, population, jobs, income, streets". City-data.com.
  20. ^ [2] [dead link‍]
  21. ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decade". United States Census Bureau.
  22. ^ "1870 Census of Population - Georgia - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1870.
  23. ^ "1880 Census of Population - Georgia - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1880.
  24. ^ "1910 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1910.
  25. ^ "1930 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1930. pp. 251–256.
  26. ^ "1940 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1940.
  27. ^ "1950 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1950.
  28. ^ "1960 Census of Population - Population of County Subdivisions - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1960.
  29. ^ "1970 Census of Population - Population of County Subdivisions - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1970.
  30. ^ a b "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1980.
  31. ^ "1990 Census of Population - Summary Social, Economic, and Housing Characteristics - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1990.
  32. ^ "2000 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2000.
  33. ^ "2010 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2010.
  34. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – North Druid Hills CDP, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  35. ^ "P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – North Druid Hills CDP, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  36. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – North Druid Hills CDP, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  37. ^ "Post Office Location - DRUID HILLS." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on May 5, 2009.
  38. ^ a b c d e "2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: North Druid Hills CDP, GA." United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on June 1, 2017.
  39. ^ Home Page." Consulate-General of Mexico in Atlanta. Accessed October 26, 2008.
  40. ^ Home page. Briar Vista Elementary School. Retrieved on May 5, 2009.
  41. ^ "Elementary School Attendance Areas 2016 - 2017 School Year." DeKalb County School System. Retrieved on June 1, 2017.
  42. ^ "North Decatur CDP, GA[permanent dead link‍]." United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on May 5, 2009.
  43. ^ "Druid Hills CDP, GA Archived 2011-11-25 at the Wayback Machine." United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on May 5, 2009.
  44. ^ "Middle School Attendance Areas 2016 - 2017 School Year." DeKalb County School System. Retrieved on June 1, 2017.
  45. ^ "High School Attendance Areas 2016 - 2017 School Year." DeKalb County School System. Retrieved on June 1, 2017.
  46. ^ Home Archived 2010-05-26 at the Wayback Machine. Margaret Harris Comprehensive School. Retrieved on September 18, 2012. "1634 Knob Hill Dr. Atlanta, GA 30329 "
  47. ^ "Welcome to IHM!." Immaculate Heart of Mary School. Retrieved on May 5, 2009.
  48. ^ "History". Immaculate Heart of Mary. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  49. ^ "2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: North Druid Hills CDP, GA" (Archive). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on May 12, 2015.
  50. ^ "Home." Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Retrieved on May 12, 2015. "© 2014 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033"
  51. ^ "Metropolises" (Archive). Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Retrieved on February 9, 2014. "Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta 2480 Clairmont Road, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30329 "

Further reading

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