Hills Park

Hills Park

Hills Park History

NPU-D is located in the northwest sector of Atlanta and contains the following neighborhoods: Whittier Village, Riverside, Bolton, Hills Park, Underwood Hills, and Blandtown. The area’s development has been greatly influenced by railroads, the Chattahoochee River, and in later years, the interstate highway system. These transportation facilities are used by a considerable number of regional, national, and international manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers. NPU-D is commonly referred to as the Chattahoochee Industrial Corridor. Its history is a record of Atlanta’s industrial and related uses that benefit from transportation access and readily available water power.

On December 22, 1837, the Governor of Georgia appointed Charles Bolton and two other men to supervise the extension of the Western and Atlantic rail line into Atlanta. The town of Bolton, once known as Iceville, was incorporated on December 20, 1893. It is located just south of the site of the Standing Peachtree Indian Village, which is the earliest place associated with the Atlanta community. Bolton was annexed to the City of Atlanta in 1952.

The Atlanta Waterworks moved from its original location on the South River to the Chattahoochee River in 1893. The pumping station, which is just north of Bolton, is linked by a network of pipelines to the reservoirs that are located in the southeast corner of NPU-D. The Hemphill Plant was built to serve as a water treatment facility. One early settler, Thomas Moore, whose residence was at the intersection of DeFoors Ferry Road and Chattahoochee Avenue, donated part of his vast estate to form the right-of-way for the water mains. Blandtown developed near the reservoirs, as housing for employees of the Atlanta Waterworks.

Whittier Village was settled around the turn of the century after W.B. Whittier moved his mill operation from New England to Chattahoochee, Georgia. Whittier, a native of England, was attracted to Georgia because of its inexpensive labor, rail access, good freight rates, and available water supply.

The 1895 Cotton States Exposition also influenced his decision, as it dramatically demonstrated the benefits and opportunities for textile mills in the South. Whittier located his mill just off Bolton Road, between the Southern Railway and the Chattahoochee River. The mill officially opened on January 1, 1900. An advertisement in the City Builder in 1917-1918 listed the following Whittier products: cotton, yarn, twine, and cord. At one point the mill employed approximately 200 workers, many of whom were housed in the nearby village, which was modeled after a New England town.

In 1905, the Louisville and Nashville Railroad was joined to the Western and Atlantic Railroad by a belt line, which ran through the Hill Park Yards. A roundhouse was constructed there similar to the one which serviced the main Western and Atlantic line at the Inman Yards. A small town grew up just north of the Hill Park Yards to house the railroad workers.

It was originally called Ellen (L & N), but later adopted the name Hills Park. Underwood Hills and Riverside were also developed as residential clusters serving the various employment centers. Crestlawn Cemetary, originally known as Crown Hill Cemetary, recorded its first interment in 1913. It is situated adjacent to the old Casey family cemetery.

Marietta Boulevard, which borders Crestlawn on
the east, occupies the former right-of-way of the interurban rail line. Just south of the boulevard, as it enters Bolton, is the site of the Montgomery family cemetery. This was the burial place for the family of James McConnell Montgomery, who settled in the area in 1821. Montgomery operated the first ferry service that crossed the Chattahoochee River.

NPU-D is an important link in Atlanta’s history. Its natural and man-made resources provided an ideal setting for industrial development. Residential developments followed by the growth of industry. Many structures date back to the urn of the century or earlier. Due to their relative isolation from one another, the neighborhoods retain an individual character. Communities like Bolton and Whittier Village display a rural character that is often obscured in a metropolitan area.

Links

NPU-D (Neighborhood Planning Unit)

About our association

Welcome to the Hills Park Neighborhood Association

As a neighbor, we hope that you become involved with YOUR association. There are so many exciting things in the works, and we need everyone’s support!

Every other month, the HPNA meets to review current events – from city, state, and federal improvements impacting our neighborhood, to building permits and zoning requests, to updates on crime statistics in the area, as well as a variety of neighborhood events, such as yard sales and the beautification task force.

All you need to do is come to the meetings! They are held every other month at the Hills Park Baptist Church “Meeting Room”. Not only do you get to help shape, improve, and determine the future of your neighborhood, but you get to meet all your wonderful neighbors, as well!

Hope to see you there!

Links

NPU-D (Neighborhood Planning Unit)
City of Atlanta
Atlanta Public Schools