Historic Architecture And Housing Styles
Lakewood Heights features an intact collection of late-nineteenth and early-twentieth-century residential architecture recognized within its designated historic district. The bungalow is the most numerous house type in the neighborhood, reflecting its primary era of residential construction between 1900 and 1930. Residential blocks feature four distinct bungalow subtypes, including front gable, side gable, hipped, and cross gable structures. Beyond bungalows, residential styles include Folk Victorian and Craftsman, with layouts including gabled ell cottages, Queen Anne cottages, New South cottages, pyramid cottages, and shotguns. Prominent neighborhood landmarks also showcase Colonial Revival and commercial brickwork styles, highlighted by the Lakewood Heights School built in 1932. That school was designed by prominent Atlanta architects William Augustus Edwards and William J. Sayward, who also designed the exhibition buildings at the Lakewood Fairgrounds.
Industrial Growth And Transportation Corridors
Civic infrastructure heavily influenced early growth in Lakewood Heights, beginning with the City of Atlanta water works in 1874 and the construction of the nearby Federal Penitentiary in 1902. Development expanded along streetcar and trolley lines constructed along Jonesboro Road, creating a busy corridor for residential and commercial traffic. Industrial employment surged during the 1920s and 1930s with operations at the eighty-six-acre General Motors Lakewood Assembly plant prior to its closure in 1990. The community also developed in tandem with nearby academic institutions, including Gammon Theological Seminary and Clark University on grounds now occupied by Carver High School. Located within Atlanta's Zone 3, the neighborhood's western edge borders the Downtown Connector across from Capitol View Homes and Sylvan Hills. Moving within the area requires navigating established residential streets that branch directly off major arteries like Jonesboro Road and Lakewood Avenue.
Community Landmarks And Cultural Heritage
The neighborhood took its name from nearby Lakewood Park, which opened as a recreational and resort area after municipal water works operations ended in 1893. The Lakewood Fairgrounds was established on adjacent land in 1916 to host the Southeastern Fair, quickly becoming a major regional gathering destination. These grounds included the Lakewood Speedway dirt track, known as the Grand Old Lady and the Indianapolis of the South, which hosted auto, horse, and motorcycle races until 1983. While racing ended, the fairgrounds complex evolved into modern entertainment venues, including EU Screen Film Studios and the Lakewood Amphitheater. Community members also gather at local recreational and commercial landmarks, such as Lakewood Stadium, Black Coffee, and Community Grounds. Historic resting places like South-View Cemetery continue to anchor the neighborhood's long-standing southeast Atlanta heritage.