What’s up with Decatur Street?
Decatur Street, home of the Pencil Factory, was one of the first seven streets built in the city of Atlanta. It runs through the heart of downtown and extends to the west toward Marietta and to the east toward Decatur (hence the name). But even though it’s a major thoroughfare, some people find navigating Decatur Street a bit confusing.
As Atlanta grew from its humble beginnings, its small communities began running together and eventually met, leaving roads to join other roads with different names but that follow the same path. This is the reason why Monroe becomes Boulevard, and why Peachtree Street becomes Peachtree Road and later Peachtree Boulevard.
Decatur Street is no exception. “Decatur Street” seems simple: it takes you to Decatur, right? But as you travel down Decatur Street between the individual cities and neighborhoods into “neutral” areas, another street name is used, and when entering a new city, the street name changes again.
So when driving down one uninterrupted stretch of road from Marietta on the northwest, a driver will be on Atlanta Road, Marietta Boulevard, Marietta Street, Decatur Street, DeKalb Avenue, and finally Howard Avenue in under twenty-five miles, ending in Decatur.
So, when you’re on your way to the neighborhood that Creative Loafing calls Atlanta’s next hot corridor, whether it’s hitting up great shops and restaurants or looking at Decatur Street apartments, don’t get yourself lost. Even though the roads may seem a little funky, just stay the course and you’ll get where you’re going.
