The second half of the 20th century was not kind to Kirkwood.

It was considered an upscale suburb of Atlanta in the early part of the 20th century. But throughout the 1960s, '70s, '80s and even into the 1990s, Kirkwood became a place to avoid, or to visit at your own risk. Crime and corruption increased, and gracious homes fell into disrepair.

But beginning in the 1980s, a few people started to notice the lovely old homes -- still elegant in their decay, like gentlewomen of good breeding but fallen on hard times. And, one by one, intrepid urban pioneers like Janie Gray (Co-Founder of Bo Bridgeport Brokers) began to reclaim Kirkwood.

Gray bought her home in 1989 -- a turn-of-the-century Queen Anne Victorian, in sad shape. Like everyone else, I wanted to live in some hip neighborhood like Virginia-Highland or Candler Park," she said. "But there, you could find a two-bedroom, one-bath for $150,000. I crossed over the railroad tracks to here, and fell in love with these old homes, the architecture here. And I bought this 5,000-square-foot home for $90,000."

Now that home is a showplace. Gray and her partner, Benita Carswell, have renovated and restored most of the rooms in the home. Now they're finishing up -- just one room remains to be completed -- and are starting to restore the grounds, which, at one time included a granite goldfish pond and fountain.

"We joke that we'll get finished with the house about the time we'll need to be installing wheelchair ramps," said Carswell.

Sarah Chaffin and David Edwards own a country Victorian home that was built in 1892. hen Chaffin bought the home in 1977, she says, it was worth so little that she paid cash for it.

"I've always lived near here, and I've always liked the mix of different kinds of people," Chaffin said. "We've known a lot of these people forever. Now, there's lots of new people moving in, and I have mixed feelings about that -- but it's mostly positive. It's good to have new energy, new ideas."

New people are, indeed, discovering the community and moving in. People like Tonya Marlatt, formerly of Decatur, who bought her renovated Craftsman bungalow about a year ago.

"I really liked Decatur, but there's so much more diversity here," Marlatt said. "Economically, racially, and there's a really strong gay population. And it's only two miles from Decatur, it's near Five Points, not far from downtown. It's just very convenient."

Marlatt said she also enjoys the friendliness of her neighbors. "It's very much a neighborhood -- everybody talks to you. But it's still urban, too."

A few years back, Carswell and Gray started a business from their home -- Bo Bridgeport Brokers. Specializing in the sale of historic, renovated homes and new "old style" construction, the company has grown incredibly in a few short years.

Now operating from an office located in the heart of Kirkwood, Bo Bridgeport's numerous "For Sale" signs are evidence of the resurgence in the community. Just about every block in the neighborhood has at least one home being renovated or a new home being built.

And home prices have gone up. Rock-bottom pricing on fixer-uppers now is in the low $100,000s; new construction or renovations top out as high as the $400,000s.

In fact, a new subdivision within Kirkwood will have homes with prices that start at $359,900. Called Hawthorn Park, the subdivision will have a total of 50 homes, all built in the Craftsman style to fit in with the surrounding houses.

"The new homes in Hawthorn Park will be a real boost to [the value of] even the smaller homes and renovations," Gray said. Added Carswell: "I would say we're not an up-and-coming neighborhood anymore. You're not an urban pioneer anymore [when you move here]."

The Kirkwood Neighbors Organization, an active group of about 400 members, is striving to bring further niceties to the community. Kirkwood recently received a community development block grant totaling $1.5 million, which is earmarked for a streetscape project, said KNO President Joe Alcock.

"Our hope is to have [a streetscape] that reflects all the elements and feel of a traditional neighborhood," Alcock said.

There's also talk of turning an old train barn into a regional museum, Alcock said.

"It's a giant piece of property, with lots of historical significance and lots of space," Alcock said. "We're looking into doing a transportation and industry kind of museum."

Additionally, the neighborhood is working to enlarge the three parks within its boundaries, Alcock said.

While safer streets, renovated houses and higher property values are welcome byproducts of the neighborhood being discovered, there's a little more to the story, said Cheryl Cowherd, a resident since 1986.

"You know, it's a double-edged sword," Cowherd said. "Property rates go up, and that's good. But the taxes go up, too. So people, typically the older folks, can get pushed out. My concern is where are people going to go who can't afford to live here anymore?"

There are, of course, no easy answers. But, Alcock said, the KNO is aware of the problem and is trying to address it.

"The KNO tries to make sure our older folks file for homestead exemption," Alcock said. "This year we passed a list of addresses that had not applied for homestead exemption on to our City Council representative. We're trying to find a way to help."

History

Prior to the Civil War, much of the property that now comprises Kirkwood belonged to the Kirkpatrick family. Another portion belonged to the Dunwoody family. The name Kirkwood was derived from a blending of the two family names.

In 1899, the area was incorporated into a municipality that lasted for 23 years. In 1922, Kirkwood was annexed into the city of Atlanta and became the 12th Ward.

By 1923, the community had pharmacies, feed and grain stores, a theater, variety store, grocery stores, an ice and coal distributor, gas station, luncheonette and two laundries.

Starting in the late 1950s, Kirkwood began to change as white residents fled the city for the suburbs. The neighborhood fell into a gradual decline over the next several decades.

Over the last several years, Kirkwood has seen a huge increase in property values, as people once again are moving intown, salvaging old homes and building new ones.