ADAMSVILLE

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 and 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.