Historic Properties

Early history of Lynwood Park

In 1933, the first black family moved into the subdivision known as Cates Estate. The Bryant family of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania bought a house on Lynwood Drive while vacationing in Georgia. They returned to Pennsylvania, but came back to live in November, 1943. The Cates Estates was renamed Lynwood Park, probably after Mel Lynn, a realtor. Cates had lived in a yellow house next to the E. O. A. Center on Osborne Rd.

Two other black families moved to Lynwood during this time, the Will Sims family and the Georgia Clemons family. Most of the few existing houses were occupied previously by white residents. As black families began to move into the subdivision lots were re-subdivided into 50 ft. lots, such lots are now prohibited by law today. Many of the families built their homes themselves. The Will Sims house was the oldest existing house built by a Black family in the community. Lynwood Park consists of former neighborhoods that no longer exist, such as the Carroll Avenue neighborhood in Chamblee, the Remount neighborhood near Ashford Dunwoody Road, Do-balls Alley Neighborhood in Sandy Springs, Armour Neighborhood near Piedmont Road and Bagley Park Neighborhood in Buckhead.

Mel Lynn a real-estate agent selling lots in the Lynwood subdivision donated land located on Mae Avenue to build the first school. The little red school house was a one room building with no running water and heat was provided by a wood burning stove. A Board of Trustees was established—primarily comprised of church deacons and church members. The trustee group included Robert Butler, G. D. Hughley, Raymond Akins, John Akins, Luther Radford, Will Johnson, John Brown, Shelly Truitt, Clifford Sanford, Luke Holsey, Lena Bell Holland, Bob Worthy and John Jackson. The school was built by community families who donated their labor, supplies and money.

This Little Red School House served the community from approximately 1942 – 1949. The school was an elementary school with an enrollment of around 125 students. After graduating from this elementary school the students went to high school in Chamblee next to the original Zion Baptist Church. The graduation ceremony was held at Zion Baptist Church.

The first Lynwood Park Day Care Center originated with the Twelve Ladies Sewing Club and was built on land near the Little Red School House around 1946. Originating with twelve members, the club expanded to include club number two and three. Mrs. Minerva Bennett was the first chairwoman. Through the efforts of these women funds were raised to finance street lights, installation of telephone service and the land for the Lynwood Park School. The women were very active in Lynwood Park for several years.

In 1948 land was purchased for the sum of 1500.00 on Osborne Rd. and deeded to the board of education. At that time the school land consisted of four acres located near the end of Osborne Rd. A nine room brick building was erected on the land and designated as the initial Lynwood Park High and Elementary School. Prior to that time there had been no senior high school for blacks in this area. In 1949 a new brick school opened on Osborne Road.

As Lynwood Park grew, churches moved in to serve the people’s need for spiritual guidance. The Church of God pastured by Mrs., Georgia Clemons was the first church that originated in Lynwood Park. Mrs. Clemons and her family moved to the area from Bagley Park in Buckhead. China Grove Baptist Church relocated to Lynwood Park from a neighborhood near Chamblee known as “Hard Rock”. Little Zion Baptist Church followed relocating from the Amour neighborhood off Piedmont Road in Atlanta. Mount Mary Baptist Church moved from Do-Ball’s Alley near Sandy Springs. Lynwood Park Church of God moved to Windsor Parkway followed by St. Peter True Holiness Church on Windsor Parkway.

The Sanford Family and the Allen Family owned more land than anyone in the community. Christine Sanford was very active in the community. In the 1940s her family owned a baseball field and a concession stand where they sold fish sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs and cold drinks. This is where the Lynwood Park baseball team played their home games. It was located in an area called Horse-shoe bend on Antioch Drive.

Written by Historian Edgar “Chip” Jones