East Point

History of East Point, GA

In 1870, just after the Civil War, 16 families gathered together and created the community that is now known as East Point. Before long, it became a haven for industry, and two grist mills, a distillery, and several manufacturing companies began to set up here, as did the Atlanta & West Point Railroad. A decade later, it had its own post office, a few churches, a school, a sawmill, and even its own newspaper, The Plow Boy. Its weather and location made it a popular vacation area, as well as a hub for cotton farming. Fast forward another decade, and houses began to pop up everywhere in the community. More churches and businesses followed. By the early 1900s, locals began setting up the historic downtown portion of the city.

East Point’s name came from the fact that it was the eastern location where the Atlanta & West Point Railroad ended. The city became official in August 1887.

Quick Facts

• Population: 36,000
• Two big names in local Atlanta healthcare, Atlanta Medical Centerand Grady Hospital, have campuses in East Point.
• East Point is home to a Point University (formerly Atlanta Christian College) campus. It also has its own branch of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System.
• Every April through November, the city hosts the East Point Farmers’ Market where residents can buy fresh and locally grown food and handmade arts and crafts.
• Several parks and recreation areas are located in East Point, including Sykes Park, Grayson Field, Jefferson Park, Summer Park, Brookdale Park, John Milner Park, and Christ Stacks Field. They include sports fields, picnic areas, and playgrounds.
• East Point offers a strong youth football and cheerleading program as part of the Youth Football Alliance.

Demographics

The average age of an East Point resident is around 35 years old. Because many older people and young singles call the city home, only about 20 percent of all homes have a child under the age of 18 residing in them. The median household income is around $40,000.

Local Attractions

East Point is a mixed variety of old family-owned restaurants and shops scattered amongst newer businesses with recognizable names. Many people take advantage of the fact that the city is just about 5 to 10 miles away from many of Atlanta’s most coveted attractions. History buffs enjoy visiting the area to learn a thing or two about Georgia’s past.

Dining

• Lov’n It Live – East Point has its very own raw food vegan restaurant. Located in the downtown area, Lov’n It Live serves fresh, organic food daily for the mind, body, and soul. Dishes like nori rolls, soups, lasagna, salads, pizza, and tacos are all available.
• Spondivits – A local favorite for decades, Spondivits is a seafood shack with outdoor seating. Don’t expect anything fancy with your service, just some of the best food in Atlanta. Steamed lobster served with tangy beer butter? Yum!
• Oz Pizza – Metro Atlanta residents drive from all around to enjoy Oz Pizza in East Point. It beats your average chain pie any day. Sit on the patio and enjoy dishes ranging from subs and calzones to one of the restaurant’s special pizzas. Gluten free options are available.
• Thumbs Up Diner – The only downside to eating at Thumbs Up Diner is that you may have to wait for a seat. It is just that popular. The restaurant has six locations in Metro Atlanta, including one in East Point. Its old-school setting and diner menu prompted the Atlanta Journal-Constitution to describe it as “A diverse clientele bridges the gap between locals in search of a good meal that’s priced right and the yuppie crowd’s cravings for somethin’ good to eat in a groovy setting.”
• East Point Corner Tavern­ – East Point even has its own neighborhood tavern. From seafood to tacos to downhome Southern food, it’s hard to find such a delicious and diverse menu. Throw in the popular drink and cocktail menu with the casual cozy atmosphere, and you will find yourself becoming a regular here.

Transportation

• Airport – East Point sits just along the northern border of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. As the busiest airport in the world, it handles over 2,500 flights each day. The airport also brings many workers and travelers to the local economy.
• Intestates – East Point sits mostly between Interstates 285 and 85. Interstate 285, known as Atlanta’s Perimeter, runs through the western portion of East Point, while Interstate 85, which runs from Alabama to Virginia, runs along the city’s eastern border.
• MARTA – Atlanta’s public transportation system, MARTA, has many bus and rail routes going to and from East Point each day.

Shopping

• Greenbriar Mall – Greenbriar opened in 1965 and remains one of Atlanta’s oldest malls still in operation today. It was also the home of the first Chick-fil-A mall restaurant. Today, it features stores and restaurants like Burlington, Macy’s, Authentiks, Rainbow, Catherine’s, Jimmy Jazz, Foot Locker, Buster Brown, and Piccadilly.
• Camp Creek Marketplace – Located near the intersection of Interstate 285 and Camp Creek Parkway, you will find the Camp Creek Marketplace. It is home to stores and restaurants such as Lowe’s, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Old Navy, Starbucks, TGI Fridays, Target, Staples, Red Lobster, Ruby Tuesday, Ross, Marshalls, and more.
• Downtown East Point – Historic Downtown East Point has undergone a revitalization over the last few years, and now it is a favorite local shopping and eating spot. Beauty shops, restaurants, a theater, gift and antique shops, and clothing and accessories stores can all be found in the general area.

Entertainment, Nightlife & Things To Do

• Aaron’s Amphitheater at Lakewood – East Point is just a few minutes away from one of Atlanta’s top concert destinations. Aaron’s Amphitheater at Lakewood is a 75-acre outdoor concert venue that can hold up to 19,000s patrons, and it hosts some of the biggest names in music every year. Performers scheduled for 2015 include Kid Rock, Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum, Def Leppard, Lana Del Ray, and Phish.
• The Wren’s Nest – East Point is just about 5 miles away from one of Atlanta’s most popular historic destinations, The Wren’s Nest. Located in the former home of the late Atlanta Journal-Constitution editor and author, Joel Chandler Harris, it serves as a museum and education center today. Children can attend storytelling hours, while family members of all ages can explore and learn about Harris’s life and African-American folklore.
• Dick Lane Velodrome – Inspired by the Munich Olympics in the 1970s, the Dick Lane Velodrome is the only professional cycling track of its kind in the world and the second steepest in the United States. Cyclists used it for training during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and today, locals love to visit and watch races and enjoy special events.
• Georgia Sports Park – On any given Saturday afternoon, you will find many young families gathered at Georgia Sports Park. The 100-acre facility is still a work in progress with 16 planed grass sports fields in the works. Six of them are already open. The fields must be reserved by anyone who plans to use them, and several youth and adult soccer teams currently practice and play games here. The Atlanta Flying Disc Club and USA Ultimate also play here.
• Carmike Cinemas Movies ATL 14 – For a night out on the town enjoy a movie at Movies ATL after shopping and dining at Camp Creek Marketplace. The theater shows new films every day and features an extensive concession stand and stadium seating.

Real Estate Information

You will find mostly established ranch-style, split level, and bungalow homes in East Point. Because the city is currently undergoing revitalization, many residents are choosing to pay less for an early 20th century fixer upper and turning it into their dream home or a future investment. If you don’t like the idea of remodeling, don’t worry. You can also find some new construction here, as well as well-maintained homes from the 1980s and 1990s. Some of the newer homes may include 3-sided brick, granite countertops, large master suites, finished basements, and spacious decks. You will also find condos and townhomes in East Point.

Average Price of Homes

Many Atlanta residents are moving to East Point to take advantage of the city’s competitive home prices and low cost of living. Most homes in East Point fall between $70,000 and $200,000, though there are still many historic fixer uppers that you can purchase for much less than $80,000, as well as new construction that costs more than $200,000. The median sales price for spring 2015 is around $75,000.