Glennwood Estates (Decatur)


Glennwood Estates is a historic neighborhood located in the northeast section of Decatur, Georgia. It includes residences, a nature preserve and an adjoining city park. It is known for its spacious single-family homes and lots, which were comparatively large for the 1920s. It is bisected by Glenn Creek. The neighborhood remains an affluent enclave within Decatur.
Glennwood Estates is accessed from East Ponce de Leon Avenue to the south, and Church Street and Sycamore Drive to the north. The heart of the community and primary north-south road is Glenndale Avenue. Glenndale Avenue has two roads that arc from it and reconnect - Mount Vernon Drive and Glenn Circle. Other roads in the community include Forkner Drive, Old Decatur Circle, Mountain View Street, Oak Lane, Hillcrest Avenue, Springdale Street and Pinecrest Avenue. The varied topography and curved, tree-lined streets with historic residences are notable. The neighborhood also borders the historic Decatur Cemetery, which is accessible through Glenlake Park.
Glenlake Park and the Decatur Cemetery are northwest of Glennwood Estates, and are accessible by a walking path off Glenndale Avenue. Ponce de Leon Court Historic District, with more modest bungalows that were also developed in the 1920s, is southwest of the neighborhood. Glenn Creek Nature Preserve and Decatur Heights lie to east of Glennwood Estates. Ridgeland Avenue, Hickory Street and Fairview Street were developed as a part of Glennwood Estates, but these roads are generally considered part of the Decatur Heights community now.

History

Glennwood Estates has been a distinct parcel since DeKalb County, Georgia, was first divided into parcels. The property passed through a number of owners until it was sold to John T. Glenn, a carpetbagger from New York, c. 1869. Mr. Glenn began developing land in the area in the 1870s. His house is noted on an 1879 map of Decatur.
After his death, a small portion of the land was sold for Glenwood School.
The area south of Glenn Creek was first subdivision parcel developed in 1927 by Pattillo, Hamff & Robarts. The original development included a provision to keep the area north of the creek as a forest. However, the area north of the creek was developed beginning in 1939, and the neighborhood was completed shortly after World War II.

Parks