East Point, Georgia

History

The name "East Point" derives from the fact that this is the terminus of the Atlanta & West Point Railroad in the east; West Point, Georgia, is the terminus where the rail line ends in the west.

This settlement was founded as a railroad terminus with 16 families in 1870, but grew quickly after it became an inviting place for industry to develop. Soon it boasted the railway, two gristmills, and a government distillery located on Connally Drive. One of the earliest buildings was the factory of the White Hickory Manufacturing Company, built by B.M. Blount and L.M. Hill (who became the first chairman of the board of aldermen of the city).

By 1880 the town had two churches, a common school, a steam-cotton gin, a sawmill, a post office (founded in 1851), a telegraph office and its own newspaper weekly, The Plow Boy. East Point ranked as a grain and cotton-growing center. With its pleasant upland climate and proximity to the railway, it was a popular summer resort for people from the city of Atlanta.

In 1884 the first telephone rang in East Point, and in 1887 the city received its first charter. In 1890 a major portion of property along East Point Avenue was subdivided and developed, opening the way for more homes, more churches, more people, and more places of employment. By 1892 Main Street was completed, despite protests from a few progress-shy early settlers who maintained that one major thoroughfare, Newnan Road, was more than sufficient.

By the start of the 20th century, the adolescent town was poised to grow into the city it eventually would become.

In late 2015 and early 2016, some scenes for the Netflix series Stranger Things were filmed at the exterior of the First Baptist Church (standing in for a hospital exterior in a fictional Indiana town).

The recording studio of Dungeon Family was originally located in East Point, and contributed to the development of Atlanta hip hop.

Geography

East Point is bordered to the north, east, and west by the city of Atlanta, to the southeast by Hapeville, and to the south by College Park. Downtown Atlanta is 7 mi northeast of the center of East Point.

According to the United States Census Bureau, East Point has a total area of 38.1 sqkm, of which 0.05 sqkm, or 0.12%, is water.

Demographics

1850-1870 1870-1880 1890-1910 1920-1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

2020 census

According to the 2020 United States census, there were 38,358 people, 14,216 households, and 6,721 families residing in the city.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $31,874, and the median income for a family was $36,099. Males had a median income of $27,114 versus $25,839 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,175. About 17.2% of families and 20.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.0% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

The National Archives and Records Administration regional repository for data collected by the U.S. Census was originally located in the Colonial Hills area of East Point, before moving to Morrow, Georgia.

The Southeast Region Office of the Federal Bureau of Prisons is in East Point.

In the late 20th century, East Point suffered a loss of jobs due to railroad and industrial restructuring. In the 21st century, its economy expanded, and new businesses and residences developed. The city states that "several Fortune 500 companies" are located in East Point.

Arts and culture

East Point Historic Civic Block consists of three historically significant buildings and one memorial park in downtown East Point.

Opened in 2003, Camp Creek Marketplace is a 309089 sqft retail space, containing 39 stores and 14 restaurants.

The Commons is a $150 million, 79000 sqft, retail, restaurant, and residential development expected to bring over 1,500 jobs to East Point, with an estimated completion between 2027 and 2029.

Atlanta–Fulton Public Library System operates the East Point Branch.

Parks and recreation

East Point has 23 parks, a recreation center, playgrounds, tennis courts, sand volleyball, basketball courts, trails, and recreational activities and programs.

Connally Nature Park is a 27 acre green space that features pink lady slipper orchids which blossom in spring, and white oak trees.

Dick Lane Velodrome in Sumner Park, built in 1974, is one of 22 velodromes in the United States, and was a training facility for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. It hosts cycling events and competitions.

Government

The city has a city council-city manager form of government, with a professional city manager hired by the council. The manager is approved by the eight-member city council, headed by the mayor who has veto power. The city is divided into four wards (A, B, C, & D), each electing two city council members.

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Fulton County School System operates East Point's public schools. Schools located in East Point include:

• Asa G. Hilliard Elementary School
• Brookview Elementary School
• Conley Hills Elementary School
• Hamilton E. Holmes Elementary School
• KIPP South Fulton Academy
• Parklane Elementary School (closed in 2025)
• Paul D. West Middle School
• Woodland Middle School
• Tri-Cities High School

Russell High School is a former high school in East Point.

Media

Part of the Fear Street horror film series were shot in East Point in 2019.

Infrastructure

The MARTA subway's Red Line and Gold Line stop at East Point station, and various bus lines serve the city.

Notable people

• Dale Boone, competitive eater.
• Gino Groover, professional baseball player.
• John Milner, professional baseball player.{{cite web | last = Springer | first = Jon | title = John Milner | publisher = Society for American Baseball Research | date =
• Hines Ward, professional football player and coach.

References

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
2. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
3. {{GNIS. 2403534
4. Krakow, Kenneth K.. (1975). "Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins". Winship Press.
5. . (July 28, 2016). ["Georgia Locations for Netflix's 'Stranger Things'"](http://deepsouthmag.com/2016/07/28/georgia-locations-for-netflixs-stranger-things/). *Deep South Media*.
6. Jordan, Mike. (September 14, 2022). "Headland Drive: The start of something good". Atlanta.
7. Helmore, Edward. (April 14, 2024). "Rico Wade, key figure in Atlanta hip-hop scene, dies aged 52". The Guardian.
8. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001), East Point city, Georgia". U.S. Census Bureau.
9. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decade". [[United States Census Bureau]].
10. (1870). "1870 Census of Population - Georgia - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties". [[United States Census Bureau]].
11. (1880). "1880 Census of Population - Georgia - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties". [[United States Census Bureau]].
12. (1910). "1910 Census of Population - Georgia". [[United States Census Bureau]].
13. (1930). "1930 Census of Population - Georgia". [[United States Census Bureau]].
14. (1940). "1940 Census of Population - Georgia". [[United States Census Bureau]].
15. (1950). "1950 Census of Population - Georgia". [[United States Census Bureau]].
16. (1960). "1960 Census of Population - Population of County Subdivisions - Georgia". [[United States Census Bureau]].
17. (1970). "1970 Census of Population - Population of County Subdivisions - Georgia". [[United States Census Bureau]].
18. (1980). "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia". [[United States Census Bureau]].
19. (1990). "1990 Census of Population - Summary Social, Economic, and Housing Characteristics - Georgia". [[United States Census Bureau]].
20. (2000). "2000 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Georgia". [[United States Census Bureau]].
21. (2010). "2010 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Georgia". [[United States Census Bureau]].
22. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – East Point city, Georgia".
23. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – East Point city, Georgia".
24. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – East Point city, Georgia".
25. (15 August 2016). "The National Archives at Atlanta".
26. [http://www.bop.gov/about/ro/ser/index.jsp Southeast Region Office] {{Webarchive. link. (2010-03-02 . [[Federal Bureau of Prisons]]. Retrieved on January 1, 2010.)
27. (July 2018)
28. "Camp Creek Marketplace".
29. "Economic Development".
30. [http://www.abc27.com/story/27152817/the-georgia-trust-for-historic-preservation-announces-its-2015-list-of-states-10-places-in-peril "The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation Announces Its 2015 List of the State's 10 Places in Peril"] {{Webarchive. link. (October 29, 2014 , ABC27)
31. "Camp Creek Marketplace - RCG Ventures".
32. "Camp Creek MarketPlace in Atlanta, GA".
33. Mock, Eric. (November 3, 2023). "East Point announces $150M downtown redevelopment plan".
34. (November 3, 2023). "The Commons Moves Forward in East Point".
35. link. (January 14, 2010 . [[Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System]]. Retrieved on February 24, 2010.)
36. (January 10, 2023). "Parks & Recreation - City of East Point, Georgia".
37. (September 29, 2018). "Connally Nature Park".
38. "Office of the Mayor".
39. "Mayor Council".
40. "Schools & Buildings". Fulton County Schools.
41. Williams, Dorjan. (March 13, 2019). "East Point has nothing to fear but 'Fear' itself". [[WXIA-TV]].
42. Earle, Joe. (December 2, 2012). "Champion *eater thinks his hometown needs its own nosh". Reporter Newspapers.
43. "Gino Groover". Baseball Reference.
44. Layden, Tim. (October 13, 1997). "His Mother's Son It Took Wideout Hines Ward Three Seasons To Find His Place At Georgia--And Far Longer To Finally Appreciate The Woman Who Has Dedicated Her Life To Raising Him".