The early history of this area was closely tied to the roads that led from ferries and bridges at the
Chattahoochee River to downtown Atlanta. The town of Adamsville grew up around the junction of these
roads and most likely served as a community center for the surrounding land area.
Dollar Mill Wilson (1775-1839) was the first member of the Wilson Family to settle here arriving in 1853.
His son, Judge William A. Wilson, built a house on the original home site between 1856-1859. This building
at 621 Fairburn Road, survived the Civil War and still stand, albeit in a deteriorated state. It is made
notable by a story that General Sherman tied his horse in the downstairs hall while spending the night
there in 1864. This settlement known as Adamsville was originally called Lickskillet; the name was changed
in about 1870, one year after the founding of the Adams Lodge a Masonic organization organized by George
W. Adams. In 1871, Adams deeded the property with a two-story house to the Adamsville Lodge Number
171 for meeting purposes.
First Saint John Missionary Baptist Church which was organized as Saint John Baptist Church in 1883, is
still located on Fairburn Road. However, the present church building was constructed in 1972. Fain
Elementary School is apparently the descendant of Hemphill School, which is shown on an 1893 map of
Fulton County. Fain Elementary School built in 1927, is named for Margaret Fain, whose family resided in
this area for many years. In 1930 the population of the Adamsville District was given as 1,176 reflecting
the rather sparse settlement that existed at that time.
It was not until the 1950’s and early 1960’s that major development reached West Atlanta. This growth is
reflected in the number of new subdivisions, commercial outlets and schools. The initial phase of the
Boulder Park subdivision was platted in 1951. It was not until 1958 that Carroll Heights, Fairlane Heights &
other subdivisions were planned.
Collier Heights Plaza was developed in Adamsville in the early 1960’s to accommodate the growing
residential community. Schools were also constructed to serve the increased school age population. Towns
Elementary (1935), Harper High School (1963), Miles Elementary and Adamsville Elementary are named
for distinguished graduates of colleges in the Atlanta University Center Complex. George A. Towns (1870-
1861) Charles Lincoln Harper (1877-1966) Leonora P. Miles (1872-1973) Interstates 20 and 285 were also
constructed during the sixties.
The main artery leading from Adamsville into downtown Atlanta is now known as Martin Luther King, Jr.
Drive. Earlier names for the road were: Gordon, Garrett’s Bridge, Adamsville, Lickskillet and Howell’s
Ferry.
Chattahoochee River to downtown Atlanta. The town of Adamsville grew up around the junction of these
roads and most likely served as a community center for the surrounding land area.
Dollar Mill Wilson (1775-1839) was the first member of the Wilson Family to settle here arriving in 1853.
His son, Judge William A. Wilson, built a house on the original home site between 1856-1859. This building
at 621 Fairburn Road, survived the Civil War and still stand, albeit in a deteriorated state. It is made
notable by a story that General Sherman tied his horse in the downstairs hall while spending the night
there in 1864. This settlement known as Adamsville was originally called Lickskillet; the name was changed
in about 1870, one year after the founding of the Adams Lodge a Masonic organization organized by George
W. Adams. In 1871, Adams deeded the property with a two-story house to the Adamsville Lodge Number
171 for meeting purposes.
First Saint John Missionary Baptist Church which was organized as Saint John Baptist Church in 1883, is
still located on Fairburn Road. However, the present church building was constructed in 1972. Fain
Elementary School is apparently the descendant of Hemphill School, which is shown on an 1893 map of
Fulton County. Fain Elementary School built in 1927, is named for Margaret Fain, whose family resided in
this area for many years. In 1930 the population of the Adamsville District was given as 1,176 reflecting
the rather sparse settlement that existed at that time.
It was not until the 1950’s and early 1960’s that major development reached West Atlanta. This growth is
reflected in the number of new subdivisions, commercial outlets and schools. The initial phase of the
Boulder Park subdivision was platted in 1951. It was not until 1958 that Carroll Heights, Fairlane Heights &
other subdivisions were planned.
Collier Heights Plaza was developed in Adamsville in the early 1960’s to accommodate the growing
residential community. Schools were also constructed to serve the increased school age population. Towns
Elementary (1935), Harper High School (1963), Miles Elementary and Adamsville Elementary are named
for distinguished graduates of colleges in the Atlanta University Center Complex. George A. Towns (1870-
1861) Charles Lincoln Harper (1877-1966) Leonora P. Miles (1872-1973) Interstates 20 and 285 were also
constructed during the sixties.
The main artery leading from Adamsville into downtown Atlanta is now known as Martin Luther King, Jr.
Drive. Earlier names for the road were: Gordon, Garrett’s Bridge, Adamsville, Lickskillet and Howell’s
Ferry.
| Please send comments/concerns regarding this web site to: adamsville@adamsville.us |
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| History |