Avondale Estates

Avondale Estates, a suburb of Atlanta, is a unique planned community founded in 1924 by George Francis Willis, inspired by Stratford-upon-Avon and featuring Tudor-style architecture, and the site of the first Waffle House restaurant. Avondale Estates has transitioned to a quieter suburb while preserving its historic charm.

Featured Project

Columbia Mall / Avondale Mall Time Capsule Project

During the process of demolition of the Avondale Mall, formerly Columbia Mall, a time capsule was discovered in the building. It was opened during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Wal-Mart Memorial Drive Supercenter on February 12, 2007.

Featured Digital Projects

TBD

Black Migration to Atlanta: Metropolitan Spatial Patterns and Popular Representation, 1990–2012.

Frances Abbott
Emory University

Vintage Waffle House, History and Locations

Howard Marissa

DeKalb History Center

Members of Avondale Estates’ Art Scene Weigh the Pros and Cons of the City’s Growth

Nina ‌Thomas

Decaturish

Dekalb History Center, “Avondale Pattillo Methodist Church Collection”, https://dekalbhistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dekalb-history-center-avondale-pattillo-methodist-church.pdf
Dekalb History Center, “Columbia Mall/ Avondale Mall Time Capsule”, https://dekalbhistory.org/documents/ColumbiaMallAvondaleMallTimeCapsule-August2010.pdf
Dekalb History Center, “Forkner, Ben S. Collection”, https://dekalbhistory.org/documents/ForknerBenCollection.pdf
Dekalb History Center, “Home: The United Methodist Children’s Home”, https://dekalbhistory.org/exhibits/home-the-united-methodist-childrens-home/
Dekalb History Center, “Reinhardt, Marion Collection”, https://dekalbhistory.org/documents/ReinhardtMarionCollection.pdf
Dekalb History Center, “The Haven of Health and Happiness”, https://dekalbhistory.org/exhibits/avondale-estates-the-haven-of-health-and-happiness/

Monographs

Articles & Chapters

Abbott, Frances. “Black Migration to Atlanta: Metropolitan Spatial Patterns and Popular Representation, 1990–2012.” Order No. 3541545, Emory University, 2012. https://login.proxy.library.emory.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/black-migration-atlanta-metropolitan-spatial/docview/1082007634/se-2.
Marissa, Howard. 2022. “Vintage Waffle House, History and Locations.” DeKalb History Center. December 6, 2022. https://dekalbhistory.org/blog-posts/waffle-house-history-a-dekalb-original/.
Jackson, Regine O. 2022. “Atlanta’s Carnival as Cultural and Spatial Practice.” Contexts 21 (2): 57–59. https://doi.org/10.1177/15365042221107664.
Thomas, Nina. 2024. “Members of Avondale Estates’ Art Scene Weigh the Pros and Cons of the City’s Growth.” Decaturish. February 5, 2024. https://decaturish.com/2024/02/members-of-avondale-estates-art-scene-weigh-the-pros-and-cons-of-the-citys-growth/.

Organizations

Dekalb History Center https://dekalbhistory.org/
City of Avondale Estates Georgia https://www.avondaleestates.org/
Avondale Arts Alliance https://www.avondaleartsalliance.com/
Waffle House Museum https://www.wafflehouse.com/museum/