Ponce De Leon Avenue is one of several dividing lines that represent segregation between neighborhoods in Atlanta, a city often described as a “Tale of Two Cities” due to its stark income inequality and racial wealth gap.
Historical Context
Atlanta’s history of segregation is deeply intertwined with its roadways, which have been used as tools to create and maintain racial divides. This practice dates back over a century, with roadways and their names serving as invisible walls to segregate communities and slow integration.
The Ashley Ordinance of 1913
One of the earliest examples of such efforts was the Ashley Ordinance of 1913, a racial zoning ordinance named after 4th Ward City Councilman Claude L. Ashley. It aimed to legally restrict where Black people could live in Atlanta. Although the Georgia Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional nearly two years later, the ordinance had already set a precedent for racial segregation.
Peyton Road Blockade
Another significant example was the wooden roadblock built on Peyton Road, often referred to as Atlanta’s Berlin Wall. Erected from December 1962 until March 1963, the barricade, ordered by Mayor Ivan Allen Jr., severed the main thoroughfare connecting the Black and white sections of the Cascade Heights neighborhood to prevent Black residents from moving into the “white side.” A judge eventually ruled it unconstitutional, and Mayor Allen ordered its removal.
Interstate 20
Interstate 20 has served as the largest historical barrier between Black and white neighborhoods. Historians note that north of I-20 were predominantly white neighborhoods, while south of I-20 were Black communities.
Ponce De Leon Avenue: A Modern-Day Divider
Ponce De Leon Avenue is a 16-mile road that cuts through Atlanta, serving as a prominent racial and socioeconomic divider. When cross streets intersect with Ponce De Leon, their names change—Boulevard becomes Monroe Drive, and Moreland Avenue becomes Briarcliff Road—marking a shift in demographics.
This naming strategy was a deliberate effort to ensure that people of different races did not share the same address. “White America did not want to be seen as living on the same street as Black Americans, and it feeds into the American capitalist idea of property value,” explained Dr. Maurice Hobson, historian and Georgia State University professor.
The Impact of Segregation Today
The division along Ponce De Leon Avenue is evident in the stark contrast between neighborhoods north and south of the street.
Virginia Highland vs. Old Fourth Ward
• Virginia Highland: North of Ponce, where nearly 80% of residents are white, and the median household income is around $112,000.
• Old Fourth Ward: South of Ponce, now experiencing significant demographic shifts. In 2000, the neighborhood was 76% Black, with a median household income of less than $20,000. Today, it is 38% Black, with a median household income of $68,000.
Gentrification and Its Consequences
Rapid gentrification has blurred some of the lines of segregation but has also led to a decrease in the Black population in formerly financially struggling areas south of Ponce as property values and household incomes have risen.
Statistics
• Median Household Income for Atlanta: $77,655
• Racial Demographics: 40.8% white and 47.6% Black
Nesha, a local resident, pointed out that changes like the removal of subsidized housing projects, such as the Village of Bedford Pines along Boulevard, have contributed to these shifts.
Moving Forward
As Atlanta continues to evolve, Dr. Hobson emphasizes the importance of prioritizing people over policies, profits, and politics. The city’s future direction will depend significantly on its leadership’s approach to these enduring issues.
“People should be put over policies,” Hobson said. “People should be put over profits. People should be put over politics.”
Conclusion
While Atlanta has grown as a cultural and economic hub, invisible barriers like Ponce De Leon Avenue remind us of the city’s segregated past and present. Addressing these divisions will be crucial as Atlanta strives to become a more inclusive and equitable city.