John Hardigree, born in 1844, came to Dunwoody from Coweta County, Georgia in the late 1800’s. He began working as a carpenter. There he met Catherine Elizabeth Dalrymple and they were soon married. For a while, they lived in her parents’ home on what is still known as Dalrymple Road in Sandy Springs. Then they moved to a home of their own on what is now Lake Hearn Drive, in the district of DeKalb County known as Cross Keys.

The website of AMEDD presents history of the Army Medical Department and includes data of the various Medical Department Technician Schools across the US during WWII. In addition to treating patients at Lawson General Hospital, which was in Chamblee on the outskirts of Atlanta Georgia, men (and women with the Red Cross) were being trained to provide medical care to injured soldiers. This training began in July of 1942 for Lawson General Hospital

According to ancestry.com. Greenville Henderson was born in South Carolina in 1792.. He married Nancy Ann Barnett in 1813 in Morgan County, Georgia. He was also known as Major Greenville Henderson, having fought in the War of 1812. His father fought in the Revolutionary War.

The land of Greenville Henderson extended from the area of Henderson Mill Road and Henderson Road to where Northlake Mall and other commercial businesses are located. He is said to have accumulated 2000 acres.

Clint Daniel and Carlton Renfroe, who grew up nearby, shared with me what they remember about Lawson a few years ago.

Carlton Renfroe was always a great source of local history. He was happy to share his stories and tell me all he remembered about Dunwoody and Chamblee from his childhood. Sadly, he died in September of 2021 at the age of 89.

Renfroe’s family moved from downtown Atlanta to Dunwoody in 1941. His father was hired as a plumber at Lawson General Hospital. Renfroe remembers that during World War II it was difficult to find and buy candy, but his Dad was able to buy some at the PX at Lawson and bring it home to his children.

I haven’t thought much about the history of Waffle House until recently, but the first one opened in Avondale, DeKalb County, Georgia on Labor Day weekend of 1955. The founders of the iconic restaurant were Tom Forkner and Joe Rogers, Sr.

Waffle House history is included in DeKalb History Center’s exhibit to commemorate 200 years for DeKalb County. There was also a Waffle House menu in the 1997 time capsule opened at the celebration on August 25, 2022. The bicentennial exhibit is open Monday through Friday 10 am to 4 pm and Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm in the historic courthouse at 101 East Court Square in Decatur, Georgia.

This past week a new exhibit opened at the DeKalb History Center to celebrate 200 years for DeKalb County. I was fortunate to attend the opening night event, a “Birthday Bash” for DeKalb County complete with birthday cake and the opening of a 1997 time capsule held at the DHC home in the historic DeKalb Courthouse at 101 E. Court Square in Decatur.

The bicentennial exhibit, as well as other exhibits, are open Monday through Friday 10:00 am until 4:00 pm and Saturdays 10:00 am until 2:00 pm.

The 1924 home of Elon and Lizzie Jordon sat on Spalding Drive just west of where Georgia 400 is today. When traveling on Spalding Drive from Roberts Drive towards Roswell Road the home was on the right side of the road. Larry Jordon, grandson of Elon and Lizzie shared this history several years ago.

The first Dunwoody library was not in the same location as the current Dunwoody library. It was at 5064 Nandina Lane, where the offices of the Dunwoody Crier newspaper were once located and where Ernie’s Barbershop, Moondog Growlers and other businesses are located today.

DeKalb History Center archives includes history on several elementary schools from the county, including Evansdale Elementary on Evans Woods Drive in Doraville. Jim Cherry, Superintendent of DeKalb County Schools from 1947 until 1972 requested a brief history of the schools he supervised and the Evansdale one is in the archive.

According to the school history of Evansdale Elementary, it opened in September of 1967 with an enrollment of 650. The following year enrollment was 720 and in 1969 enrollment grew to 788.