As befits a city whose motto, “Resurgens,” is Latin for “rising again,” Atlanta’s history of ups and downs is evident in the way in which many of its neighborhoods have been developed. To see how the city’s movers and shakers gave back to the community in the early part of the 20th century, take a stroll or leisurely drive through Tuxedo Park. This fascinating neighborhood has long been among the most prestigious areas to live in the city of Atlanta, and it’s managed to retain and even improve upon its considerable elegance and refinement through the Great Depression, Word War II and other trying times.
The Place to Be for Atlanta’s Well-to-Do
It’s difficult to imagine it now, but the area that comprises Tuxedo Park was mostly rolling farmland broken up by copses of lush trees and other vegetation throughout much of the city’s modern history. That all changed around the dawn of the 20th century, when the city’s elite started seeking less-crowded areas to build their mansions. Initially, Tuxedo Park was made up of lavish summer homes situated on lots ranging in size from 75 to more than 250 acres. Over time, these lots were divided again and again, but most lots today are still downright spacious compared with most parts of the city.
A Historically Significant Neighborhood
The spotlight was thrown onto Tuxedo Park in 1911, which was when former governor Robert Maddox built a lavish estate there. That estate was eventually purchased by the state of Georgia. The original mansion was demolished, and the present-day Governor’s Mansion was built in its place in 1963. All the while, Tuxedo Park was gradually and carefully developed in a way that retained its natural beauty. Renowned landscape architects helped to seamlessly blend broad, curving thoroughfares with the rolling hills and beautiful azaleas, dogwoods, oaks and other vegetation that characterized the area. It’s little wonder that Tuxedo Park is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Compelling Architecture and Exquisite Landscaping
The stunning landscape design that was implemented throughout the 20th century continues to lend Tuxedo Park a park-like aesthetic. Prominent architects of the time, including Rudolph Sartorius Adler and Neel Reid, helped to design many of the estates here. Architectural styles, which vary wildly and range from Colonial Revival to Georgian, are pulled into harmony by broad boulevards, avenues and parkways that wend their way through impeccably landscaped public areas and past broad, gorgeously manicured lawns. In a city that’s literally risen from the ashes, Tuxedo Park is a true standout.
