August 15, 2012

Northwoods Historic Designation Cocktail Reception ²

by Joseph Geierman • Doraville Spotlight, Midcentury Architecture

On a balmy August evening, the Northwoods Area Neighborhood Association (NANA) held a special cocktail reception honoring Georgia State University’s Heritage Preservation Program, the Dekalb History Center, and original Northwoods architect Ernest Mastin for their efforts and contributions toward getting the neighborhood listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Many of NANA’s 100 members attended, as did Doraville Mayor Donna Pittman and Doraville Librarian Tammy Henry.

Tina Woolbright serving up hors d’oervres in elegant 50s attire

The reception was hosted at NANA President Bonnie Grey Flynt’s lovely 1955 home. The wood paneled walls of the dining area, hardwood floors, vaulted pine beamed ceilings (all original!), and lovely outdoor space by the pool were a perfect setting. Also positively contributing to the atmosphere were the 50s-style servers walking around with platters of bacon-wrapped shrimp, egg-salad stuffed croissants, maple walnut brie, chocolate covered strawberries, and other delicacies. A playlist made up of hits from the 50s and early 60s wafted through the air the entire night. The Fabulous 50′s poolside bartender, Stefanie Jones of Northwoods, was also right in line with the theme!

Tina Woolbright, Stefanie Anderson Jones, Bonnie Grey Flynt and Ginger Paige.

The reception had multiple goals. First, it was a chance to let members of the community see the nomination research that the Georgia State Students had submitted for consideration on the National Register. A copy of the report they had compiled was present, as were many maps with various types of information. It was a really neat experience, because neighbors who had never met came together to pour over these maps with mutual interest and awe. They’d point out where they lived, and talk about the information that was being presented. There was a nostalgic camaraderie and feeling of togetherness that we wouldn’t necessarily have had the opportunity to experience if this project hadn’t taken place.

Original Northwoods architect Ernest Mastin discusses the neighborhood over maps showing the boundaries of the proposed historic district.

Northwoods residents Yajaira Weiner and Leslye Kahn look over the historic documents

In addition to showing off the students’ work, NANA also took the opportunity to specifically honor them, and their professor, Richard Laub.  The work they did for our community is truly priceless.

NANA President, Bonnie Grey Flynt, presents an award to Melissa Forgey and Leslie Borger of the Dekalb History Center for their contributions to the National Register project.

Bonnie Grey Flynt presents a NANA Presidential Award to Professor Richard Laub for his contributions to Northwoods’ National Register project.

In addition to Professor Laub and his students, Earnest Mastin, one of the original Northwoods architects, and his wife Anita were in attendance as special guests of honor. The pair, who have been married for 66 years, actually lived in Northwoods from the 50s through the 70s. Bonnie presented Mr Mastin with a special “Presidential Award” on behalf of NANA, in recognition for outstanding contribution to the community . Mr. Mastin was very appreciative of the recognition and told us how proud Walter Tally, the original builder, would have been to have seen that the community he created is still thriving. Mrs. Mastin commented that the neighborhood had always been a good place to live and that “Northwoods stays with you”.

Original Northwoods architect Ernest and Anita Mastin pose with Bonnie Grey Flynt.

Bonnie Grey Flynt presents the NANA Presidential award to architect Ernest Mastin and his wife, Anita

The historical documents were formally presented and donated to Doraville’s Head Librarian, Tammy Henry, who was very pleased to be able to add these to the library’s collection. She also took the opportunity to mention that local author Bob Kelley will be having a reception and book-signing of his Book on Doraville History on September 22nd at the library. Many people mentioned they are already looking forward to attending that event!

Doraville Librarian, Tammy Henry, speaks after being presented with the documents related to Northwoods’ submission to the National Register.

A toast of “Long live historic Northwoods”, to Ernest Mastin, The Dekalb History Center, The GSU students, and all who made the National Register nomination possible!

All in all, this was a fantastic event.  I met lots of neighbors I might not have if we hadn’t had this reason to gather.  I think many of us feel a sense of pride and involvement in the community that would not be as pronounced if we had not been through this process.  We are also lucky to have such a great neighborhood association president – who makes these kinds of activities fun, and genuinely seems to enjoy bringing people together.  I am so happy to live in Northwoods and have these neighbors, and extremely excited at the prospect of the final induction of Northwoods into the National Register of Historic Places,which is anticipated in January of 2013!

Photographs by Bonnie Grey Flynt, Edward Howard, and Joseph Geierman

August 12, 2012

Doraville Mailbox of the Week: It’s the Bomb ⁰

by Joseph Geierman • Doraville Spotlight, Midcentury Architecture

Mailboxes don’t get enough respect. Not only are they important tools that connect us to the wider world, but they are also the first thing visitors see when pulling up to a home from the street. Mailboxes tell a story about the people who own them – and of course there are a lot of great stories being told all over Doraville. This post is one in a regular series that looks at mailboxes from all over the city – if you have one that you think should be featured, please leave a comment and I will get in touch with you!

This week’s mailbox comes from Doraville’s Northwoods neighborhood. It gives new meaning to the term “Atomic Ranch”, as its post is a bomb that is partially embedded in the ground! It’s a unique embodiment of one of postwar America’s chief obsessions.

August 1, 2012

Northwoods’ Mid-Century Pedigree Garners Recognition from the National Register ⁰

by GuestAuthor • Doraville Spotlight, Midcentury Architecture

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A block east of the hustle and bustle of Buford Highway, a vibrant Doraville neighborhood is in the final stretch towards earning a great honor. By early 2013, Northwoods could join other Atlanta-area communities like Inman Park and Avondale Estates on the National Register of Historic Places.

Breaking ground in 1952, local contractor Walter L. Tally had a vision of what would become one of the first planned unit developments in Georgia, and which still retains its vitality six decades later.

But after a period of slow sales of the traditional ranch homes, he recruited 2 recently graduated Georgia Tech architects, Ernest Mastin and John Summer to offer variety. Mastin and Summer designed state of the art, modern homes that would eventually sell before they were even finished. Northwoods boasted 6 floor plans, mostly ranch style, and Better Homes and Gardens even featured a Northwoods home in one of its 1953 editions, with an affordable starting price of $10,000.

Originally envisioned as a housing community for General Motors executives due to its proximity to PDK and the GM facility, Northwoods became such a popular place to live that it grew to over 700 homes by the subdivision’s completion in 1962. Northwoods featured its own parks, tennis courts, shopping center, church, service station, professional building and school. John Portman, a fellow classmate of Mastin and Summer, and who would go on to achieve worldwide acclaim for his architectural work, was hired to design the two main schools in the neighborhood (currently known as Carey Reynolds Elementary and Sequoyah High School).

Some of those original home owners still live in Northwoods and, while many of the homes have been enlarged, renovated and modernized over time, some of them maintain their original hardwood floors, fireplaces and even built-in retro appliances.

Northwoods first appeared on the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ radar as part of the DeKalb History Center’s DeKalb Single Family Residential Post War Development project in 2009. Richard Laub, Director of the Historic Preservation Program at Georgia State University suggested Northwoods as a preservation project for his graduate students. Enlisting the support of the Northwoods Area Neighborhood Association (NANA) members and other residents in the area, the university students worked diligently to survey the Northwoods district’s homes, buildings, schools, churches, and parks gathering historic blueprints and old photos via site visits, community meetings, and resident interviews. As the research grew, parcel communities adjoining Northwoods would become absorbed into the project including Gordon Hills, Gordon Heights, Fleetwood Hills and Sequoyah Woods.

Additionally, it was discovered during the project’s research that Northwoods is one of only three known surviving planned unit developments left in Georgia. The other two are nearby Embry Hills and Fair Oaks, a Savannah subdivision.

In April of 2012, the GSU students presented their findings to a large and enthusiastic group of Northwoods area residents at the Church of the New Covenant on Chestnut Drive. Doraville Mayor Donna Pittman attended the presentation, as did surprise guest Ernest Mastin. The nomination has multiple levels of approval to move through and authorities are optimistic that the nomination will be finalized in early 2013.

Northwoods architect Ernest Mastin & his wife

The Northwoods Area Neighborhood Association is proud to have helped facilitate this unique designation and will be commemorating the impending occasion by honoring Mr. Mastin, the GA State University class and the Dekalb History Center with a 1950′s-style cocktail reception in August, 2012. NANA is also donating the historic materials associated with the university research to the Doraville Library and will present them to Librarian Tammy Henry at the reception.

For more information about NANA, the history of the Northwoods District including vintage photos, and the process of its entry into the National Register of Historic places, you can visit NANA’s website at https://sites.google.com/site/ournanadoraville/.