Historic Legacy And Residential Heritage
Dating back to the late 1940s, Just Us holds historic significance as Atlanta's first Black-owned and constructed subdivision. Prominent civic leaders, educators, and physicians founded the area by purchasing acreage directly from Morris Brown College. The tight-knit enclave evolved from the Fountain Drive-Morris Brown Drive Community Club into the Just Us neighborhood during the early 1950s. Multi-generational families have inhabited these residential properties for decades, with houses originally built in the late 1940s being passed down through generations. The Atlanta City Council voted to begin the official historic landmark designation process to protect this storied civil rights community against outside development and highway encroachment.
Two-Street Loop And Surrounding Geography
As Atlanta's smallest official neighborhood, Just Us is comprised exclusively of Fountain Drive SW and Morris Brown Drive SW. These two residential streets link together south of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SW to form a single continuous residential loop. Just Us is situated on the far west end of Atlanta's Westside, roughly 0. 7 miles west of the Ashby MARTA transit station. The quiet enclave is bordered directly by the Washington Park neighborhood across its northern boundary. Mozley Park borders the neighborhood on the west, while the Ashview Heights community borders Just Us to the south and east. Moving into this hidden Westside loop involves navigating these two specific streets bordered by adjacent historic Westside communities.
Community Parks And Local Traditions
Within its two-street layout, Just Us features two dedicated triangular green spaces known as Park I and Park II. Park I honors the community's first president, Margaret Davis Bowen, commemorating early neighborhood leadership. Park II is dedicated to President John F. Kennedy and features an eternal gas light flame along with a plaque honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In addition to its interior commemorative parks, the neighborhood historically participated on the scenic Dogwood Trail tour thanks to its prominent horticultural displays. The streets of Just Us were also featured on the city of Atlanta's official scenic Christmas array of lights driving tour. Longtime residents continue gathering for holiday traditions and work with the Just Us Neighborhood Association to preserve the enclave's unique historical character.