Local Geography And Transportation Corridors
Paces occupies a large territory in western Buckhead, bounded to the northwest by the Chattahoochee River. Across the river lies Cobb County, connecting directly to the communities of Vinings and Cumberland. Interstate 75 and Northside Parkway run along the northeastern boundary of Paces, carrying U. S. 41 and State Route 3. Main neighborhood roads include Paces Ferry Road, which travels northwest from West Paces Ferry Road, and West Wesley Road to the south. West Paces Ferry Road continues westward until ending in a dead-end past Ridgewood Road. The community limits stretch down toward Nancy Creek on the southeast and extend near the bridge across Cross Creek by Moore's Mill Road.
Historic Landmarks And River Heritage
The neighborhood traces its name to Hardy Pace, an early settler who operated a Chattahoochee River ferry service and mill in the early to mid-1800s. Standing Peachtree, an early Creek Indian settlement, once stood at the confluence of Peachtree Creek and the Chattahoochee River. Today, this location is marked by Fort Peachtree, a replica fort originally erected in 1812. Another community landmark is Paces Ferry Methodist Church, established in 1877 at the corner of Paces Ferry and Mount Paran Roads. The church's adjacent Pleasant Hill Cemetery dates back to 1896 and holds Civil War and antebellum graves. Nearby, Hermi's Bridge, built in 1904 to replace the original ferry crossing to Vinings, remains preserved for pedestrian access across the river.
Residential Estates And School Campuses
Development in the Paces Ferry area shifted in 1904 from rural land into sprawling summer estates for Atlanta's wealthy families. Today, the community features multi-million dollar single-family properties set on large, wooded parcels, including past notable estates like the 17-acre tract at 4110 Paces Ferry Road NW. Beyond residential parcels, significant acreage in Paces is occupied by independent school campuses. The Westminster Schools, established in 1951, spans 180 acres within the neighborhood. In addition, The Lovett School occupies a 100-acre campus situated directly along the banks of the Chattahoochee River. These expansive educational properties contribute to the low-density, green character of the surrounding residential streets.