State Grant to Help Repair Carl's Corner Gateway into Avondale Estates

The City of Avondale Estates has received a state grant to help pay for much of the cost of stabilizing and repairing its historic western gateway monument, Carl’s Corner, according to a city news release. 

A $9,270 grant from the Historic Preservation Fund, administered by the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, will cover 60 percent of the work on the structure. The city is responsible for the remaining cost.

The city’s 1920s-constructed red brick and stucco ceremonial entrance archway, named after early Avondale Estates gardener Carl Houseworth, is located at the corner of South Avondale and North Avondale Roads. It was referenced in 1986 as a contributing feature to the National Register of Historic Places District.

“This means a lot to the city. It’s a highly visible, meaningful monument, and its restoration will leave a more positive, lasting impression on residents and visitors,” said City Planner and Community Development Officer Keri Stevens, who wrote the grant. “This upgrade also comes at a great time, when we’re getting ready to finalize our Downtown Master Plan update and ensure the city remains desirable for businesses, residents and visitors.”

Residents interested in maintaining the historic features of the City expressed concern over the condition of the archway, and an interest in telling its story. Letters of support from local residents, boards and commissions and the DeKalb History Center helped secure the grant money for this project. 

One Jan. 30 letter signed by a group of five longtime Avondale Estates residents cites the importance of restoring Carl’s Corner, one of the city’s original structures: “It was meant to be a ‘welcome mat’ for pedestrians visiting our town. … This has been an inspiration for many local artists.”

Avondale Estates is one of seven Georgia communities this year to receive federal subgrants to conduct historic preservation projects, all of which will begin in April and be completed by September 2015.  Carl’s Corner is one of just three brick-and-mortar rehabilitation projects.

Avondale Estates is also finishing up another HPD-funded project: a citywide Historic Resources Survey. This project will be completed by late spring/early summer.