Cabbagetown is a small, historic neighborhood just east of downtown Atlanta. It was a mill town. That is, the residents were the employees of the Fulton Cotton and Bag Mill, which opened in 1881. The neighborhood consists of simple one and two-bedroom shotgun houses (built by the mill’s owner) that stand on noticeably narrow streets. It reminds me of the type of towns that grew up around coal fields in Southwest Virginia. The mill closed in 1977, and the area suffered as others do when the main economic engine disappears. A few years later, a local photographer opened a photo gallery and art studio on Carroll St, the main street. Since the 1970s, Cabbagetown has grown into a haven for artists and others seeking a vibrant community.
I had only driven through Cabbagetown a few times and had never seen a reason to stop. My curiosity was peaked when I took a picture of the Fulton Cotton Mill Lofts, not realizing what they were. When I investigated, I learned of Cabbagetown’s artistic heritage and decided to visit with my camera.
Many walls in Cabbagetown are covered with murals. The murals are eclectic, embracing a wide range of subjects and styles. There is even a committee, Wallkeepers Committee of the Cabbagetown Initiative, that assigns space and approves projects. When accessing the neighborhood from Inman Park, the art starts with the Krog Street tunnel, which is lined with graffiti art throughout. Emerging in Cabbagetown, one comes immediately to Wylie Street, the northern side of which faces a wall formed by the CSX rail yard. Along Wylie Street are murals ranging from simple to elaborate works.
The day I visited Wylie Street, it was far more quiet and peaceful than I expected. Three other people were taking in the murals, strolling quietly, with frequent stops to examine the ones that caught their eyes. No one was speaking. I photographed only a few murals because, in summer, tree leaves block the view from more than 10 feet away. Other murals were in very bright late-morning light, and I had only an XD5 and a Minolta AF-C (I could have really used an ND filter).
After going along the length of Wylie Street, I turned onto Carroll Street and was surprised by how narrow it was. I was even more surprised to learn it was a two-way street. Carroll Street is the main commercial strip, housing galleries, restaurants, and stores in a quaint setting. Colorful houses line one side of the street, while shops and restaurants fill out the other side. The narrowness of the street conveys an intimacy one would expect in a small village or hamlet.
Arriving at the end of Carroll Street, I stepped back into Atlanta proper, welcomed by loud, relentless traffic that a few steps before seemed to be miles and decades away.
For those who enjoy street art, here is a map of interesting sites around Atlanta.
