Valerie Biggerstaff 6/30/25 Valerie Biggerstaff 6/30/25

Early days of Brookhaven’s library

Brookhaven’s library history began on the back porch of the home of Edna and Weldon Shows.

Valerie Biggerstaff 6/23/25 Valerie Biggerstaff 6/23/25

DeKalb County Schools survey 1916, Doraville and Tucker

I recently came across a book online titled “Educational Surveys of DeKalb and Union County Georgia,” dated 1916. It includes photos and short descriptions of all the DeKalb County Schools at the time. I was glad to discover the DeKalb History Center had a copy of the book and went to see it in their archives.

Valerie Biggerstaff 6/16/25 Valerie Biggerstaff 6/16/25

Railroad section houses became family homes during Great Depression

J. C. Finley lived in the section house that still stands. He shared his memories of that time with Lynne Byrd.

Valerie Biggerstaff 6/9/25 Valerie Biggerstaff 6/9/25

On the homefront during WWII

The June 11, 1942, edition of the Atlanta Constitution shared an announcement from Washington, D.C., “Scrap salvage campaign will begin shortly.” The War Production Board asked that everyone across the country collect metal, rubber, fats and oils.

Valerie Biggerstaff 6/2/25 Valerie Biggerstaff 6/2/25

Video rental business, here and gone

Whatever community you lived in, there was a Blockbuster, Hollywood Video or perhaps a smaller chain or independent video store. Other competitors in the Atlanta area included All Star Video, The Movie Store, National Video, and West Coast Videos. Record stores also entered the video rental business.

Valerie Biggerstaff 5/26/25 Valerie Biggerstaff 5/26/25

Atlanta record store nostalgia-Turtles, Peaches, etc.

In the 1970s, Turtle’s, Peaches and other record stores opened in Atlanta and the surrounding areas. Al Levenson started Turtle’s Record Store in 1977 and opened eight stores in 18 months.

Valerie Biggerstaff 5/19/25 Valerie Biggerstaff 5/19/25

Commemorative Air Force event at DeKalb Peachtree Airport May 24 & 25

Commemorative Air Force is holding Special Warbird Rides Days at DeKalb Peachtree Airport. Five vintage planes based at Peachtree City, Georgia will be at PDK May 24, 2025 and May 25, 2025 for exhibitions and flights from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Valerie Biggerstaff 5/12/25 Valerie Biggerstaff 5/12/25

Military service of Clyde Casto included surgical training at Lawson General Hospital

In 1943, Casto was sent to train as a Surgical Technician in the Medical Department Technicians School at Lawson General Hospital in Chamblee, Georgia.

Valerie Biggerstaff 5/5/25 Valerie Biggerstaff 5/5/25

The Ashford in Ashford Park, Ashford Dunwoody Road

The next owner was Eugene S. Luckie, followed by W. T. Ashford, who purchased the home and land in 1903, naming it Southlook. Ashford operated a nursery business on the property.