Eye on the Street

Decatur Metro | February 12, 2011

Fenner Dunlop – Avondale Estates, GA (pic submitted by David)

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11 Responses to “Eye on the Street”

  1. Chris Billingsley says:
    February 12, 2011 at 2:23 pm

    I’m sorry to see this. Several years ago, there was an article in the Atlanta Journal (maybe the DeKalb Extra) in which the factory owner, the 96-year-old grandson of the Scott patriarch, described the business. As I recall, the factory made huge belts for industrial machines. At the time, I remember thinking how amazing it was that there was someone still alive who had a direct connection with the 1800s, including the Civil War. This type of business may have been the last of its kind in DeKalb County.
    There is something sad about the destruction of an institution that employed so many for nearly 100 years (I’m guessing). Most of these companies have relocated overseas or simply gone out of business because of the changing economy. I wonder what kinds of changes our children will discuss in 50 years. The demise of our school system? Local Government? The closing of Decatur’s last church? Or will our children, or anyone else in Decatur in 50 years, still enjoy the most important things we have today? I would love to be around to witness these events.

  2. karass says:
    February 12, 2011 at 3:04 pm

    Hey, maybe you WILL be around! Longevity is on the rise! Re churches: I recently did an off-the-top-of-my-head count and came up with something like 16 churches in the City of Decatur. And that’s just churches I know of. There’s probably some others. Not to mention synagogues not too far from the City. So I don’t think places of worship are a rare species in Decatur yet. As long as they offer fun classes for children, fields and gyms for sports, community for adults, and worship, families will be going. This is actually one of the most church-going places I’ve ever lived.

    I’m more worried about our public school system. For all its occasional frustrations and warts, it’s pretty special, mostly because of the teachers, staff, and families who comprise it. But forces much greater than CSD are threatening the concept of effective public education as a centerpiece of our society and nation. Almost everyone I admire in my work, family, and personal world, as well as in the world at large, is a product of public schools. I have nothing against private schools but I don’t think they can ever substitute for what our public education system contributes.

  3. Dave says:
    February 12, 2011 at 3:31 pm

    I was at a meeting where they were talking about what is being salvaged from the building. (For display around the site after rebuild. Much like at Atlantic Station). The Dekalb History Center was very happy to find old records dating back to the 1920’s to preserve. And sure, the business moved out of Dekalb county but it is still in the USA.

    I’m just glad to live in a place where the progress is forward and not stagnating or going backwards. Avondale and Decatur will both benefit from what ever eventually takes the place of a bunch of empty buildings.

  4. Dave says:
    February 12, 2011 at 3:39 pm

    And if you get the chance or if you gt little kids to entertain, drive down Oak Street (next to Skip’s Hot Dogs) and you can see the equipment in action. Two buildings gone, 6 to 8 buildings to go. Site should be cleared by the end of April leaving just the foundations standing. I think it’s pretty cool.

  5. Another Rick says:
    February 12, 2011 at 7:50 pm

    Chris: As someone who recently joined a church in Decatur, after 30 years away from organized religion, I am not worried about the possible demise of churches in Decatur. Our church will be 100 years old soon, and has many new members like my family. I am worried about the future of public education. We can look to the mid-east, Africa or South America to see what a lack of free public education leads to. The failure to support public school and teachers by some of out political parties is worrisome.

  6. Parker Cross says:
    February 12, 2011 at 11:46 pm

    You all are way ahead of me. What’s going down in this picture? I was more concerned about the surfeit of silver cars.

  7. Shc says:
    February 13, 2011 at 12:27 am

    I’m with you, Parker. I guess I need a history lesson.

  8. TheEndis_near says:
    February 13, 2011 at 7:47 pm

    12/2012 – Public Grocery Store.