Spruill Family Chose Money Over Preservation. Part 1

 In the news recently was the sale of the CVS shopping center behind the beloved Dunwoody farmhouse.  The sold commercial property surrounds the historic farmhouse - because the properties were joined for 100+ years - until the heirs of Mr. and Mrs. Carey Spruill decided to sell the property, including the farmhouse, to the highest bidder, after the passing of Mrs. Spruill in 1994. The Dunwoody Preservation Trust has a washed version of the history HERE.

The farmhouse in Dunwoody used to have many historic outbuildings. 

Circa 1971, Mr. Carey Spruill discing his field. Now, instead of rows of corn, you can buy crispy corn tortillas from Chipotle.

Dunwoody The Year of Our Lord Eighteen Hundred and Eighty

 In 1983 the DHA started to investigate having the former Eidson Academy designated as an historical monument.  By this time the lot held a different school called Dunwoody Elementary School.  This site hosts the Dunwoody library and the Spruill Center for the Arts.

Dunwoody News July 1983

 The July 1983 DHA newsletter has a few interesting pieces of information.  There is mention of Players Video Arcade going out of business in 1983.  1983 was the death of many arcades due to home video systems gaining popularity.  Dunwoody's arcade was where the BP gas station is located (5400 Chamblee Dunwoody Road at Mt Vernon, across from Dunkin Donuts).  Tilt arcade was in Perimeter Mall.

There is also a mention of researching to classify the then Dunwoody Elementary School as a historical monument.  I'll post those documents soon.  Also mentioned for historical classification for the Spruell (sic) farm house and that Mr. Spruill wasn't a fan of the DHA.

Dunwoody DHA 1983

Let's take a peak at the newsletter for the DHA annual meeting in January 1983.  In the 80', 90's and up to about 2010, the DHA annual meeting would have hundreds of people in attendance.

On page 2, in the President's letter, Bernie Marino mentions a few projects in the works in Dunwoody. One is referred to as The Triangle.  Up until 1983, the triangle of land resembling an inverted scalene as viewed headed north, was a wooded lot.  A few old Crier articles mention the unkept nature of the triangle.  Later named Fairfield neighborhood, this area was the first townhouse community built in north Dunwoody.  It was a cause for concern at the time as it was not the traditional single-family home housing.  This is one of many projects by Jim Cowart.  During this time period Cowart was one of the top developers in the area.  He had many battles with the DHA.

Dunwoody Homeowners Association Early History

 The Dunwoody Homeowner's Association has been around for fifty-five years. It started with a large parcel of land behind the Dunwoody library (formerly a school).  Jim Cowart, a name synonymous with land, development, and money in Dunwoody, wanted to build high-density condominiums .  Local homeowners did not like this plan and organized against it. 

Above is what would be in place if the DHA did not fight these battles

The Cowart name should be familiar to those members of the Georgetown Rec Club/Pool.

Some early documents on Cowart and zoning in Dunwoody: