The Emory Grove Historic District [†] is an approximately 90-acre residential neighborhood located between Emory University and the city of Decatur in DeKalb County, Georgia. Developed primarily between 1939 and 1946, the district is organized around a series of curvilinear loop roads branching off North Decatur Road: Princeton Way to the south (platted in 1939) and Westminster Way and Edinburgh Terrace to the north (platted in 1941). Each loop encircles a central landscaped recreational park, accessible via narrow paths between houses, which serve as community focal points. The district is bounded by the CSX railroad line to the north and east, the rear lots of homes along Princeton Way to the south and southwest, and the property line of Druid Hills High School and the University Park-Emory Highlands-Emory Estates Historic District to the west.
Architectural Characteristics
The neighborhood features small-scale, one- to one-and-a-half-story houses built on modestly sized lots on slightly hilly terrain. These homes are designed in a minimal traditional variation of the Colonial Revival style, characterized by:
Variations include front-gabled porches, dormer windows, slightly projecting front-gabled wings, and differing chimney placements. Decorative trim and moldings are simple and flat, avoiding high-style ornamentation, and screened porches are commonly located on the main facade. Some homes feature gambrel roofs with broad, overhanging eaves, reflecting the Dutch Colonial Revival style. The uniform setbacks and harmonious appearance of the houses, combined with curvilinear roads and landscaped traffic islands at major intersections, create a cohesive aesthetic.
Historical Significance
The Emory Grove Historic District is significant under National Register Criteria A (historical association) and C (architecture and design) in the areas of architecture, landscape architecture, and community planning and development. Its development began with the construction of Druid Hills High School in 1928 and concluded with the completion of Emory Presbyterian Church in 1948, with most residential construction occurring between 1939 and 1946. The district reflects broader suburban development trends in mid-20th-century Georgia, where builders prioritized cost efficiency by simplifying ornamentation while adhering to popular styles like Colonial Revival.
The houses were designed for middle-income families, particularly faculty and staff of Emory University, and are smaller than those in the neighboring University Park-Emory Highlands-Emory Estates Historic District due to World War II-related building supply shortages and the developer's strategy to maximize the number of homes on smaller lots. Developer Neal Smith, an Emory University facilities manager, and the Atlanta-based engineering firm Robert and Company platted the neighborhood in two phases (1939 and 1941). The street names, inspired by prestigious universities, reflect the vision of Dr. Sam Guy, an Emory chemistry professor and member of the wealthy Candler family, who owned much of the land in 1934 and initiated the project.
Community Landmarks
Two significant community landmarks anchor the district:
Landscape Architecture and Community Planning
The district's layout, with its curvilinear roads, landscaped traffic islands, and three central recreational parks, draws inspiration from the neighboring Druid Hills, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and the Olmsted Brothers. The parks, particularly Emory Grove Park in the northeast corner, retain historic plantings and continue to serve as community spaces. During World War II, a victory garden was maintained in the Princeton Way park, and post-war landscaping included playground equipment, trees, and flowering bulbs. Initially maintained by homeowners and local garden clubs, the parks are now under DeKalb County's care.
The smaller lot sizes and uniform layout reflect the mid-20th-century demand for affordable housing in suburban Atlanta, driven by the growth of Emory University and nearby Decatur, as well as the need to accommodate workers commuting to downtown Atlanta, four miles away. The inclusion of driveways and garages with most homes highlights the rise of automobile-centric suburban planning and a shift away from reliance on public transportation.
Development and Contributing Resources
The neighborhood was platted in two sections: Princeton Way in 1939 and Westminster Way/Edinburgh Terrace in 1941, both by Robert and Company. Neal Smith, working under Dr. Sam Guy's vision, developed the subdivision to attract Emory University faculty and staff, with typical homes costing $7,500. The district's contributing resources include buildings and the overall development plan from 1928 to 1948 that retain historic integrity and reflect the district's architectural and historical themes. The three landscaped parks and the district's overall landscaping are counted as contributing sites, while historic garages, though not individually counted due to their small size, contribute to the district's character. Noncontributing resources include buildings constructed after 1948 or those that have lost historic integrity.
Cultural and Economic Context
Emory Grove represents the emergence of west DeKalb County and Emory University as an economic hub in suburban Atlanta during the first half of the 20th century. The district's dense, early 1940s developmental pattern and its period revival styles—such as Colonial Revival, Dutch Colonial Revival, and elementsGG of English Vernacular Cottage and Tudor Revival—align with broader architectural trends of the era. The neighborhood's design and affordability catered to the practical needs of middle-income families, particularly those connected to Emory University, during a period of rapid suburban expansion and economic growth in the region.
Adapted from: Steven H. Moffson, Architectural Historian, Historic Preservation Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Emory Grove Historic District, nomination document, 1999, National Register of Historic Places, Washington, D.C., as summarized by www.grok.com, June 2025.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Street Names
Decatur Road North • Edinburgh Terrace • Princeton Way • Westminster Way