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Other article: A NEIGHBORHOOD TALE: The stories of Druid Hills
August 11, 2008
Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution/August 8, 2008
Except for a few years of his life, Robert Hartle Jr. has called Druid Hills home.
The 26-year-old also honed a love of writing and history that he drew upon for his first book, "Atlanta's Druid Hills: A Brief History."
"I always loved the neighborhood but never did any research on it," said Hartle. "I figured there was a book already written, but found there wasn't. Then a friend of mine who works for the History Press suggested I give it a try."
Though mentions of Druid Hills appears in various other works, there does not seem to be a book devoted exclusively to the history of the area, said Doug Robinson, owner of the Eagle Eye bookshop that carries Hartle's work.
"I've lived in Druid Hills for 12 years and have never heard anything about another book like this," said Robinson, who has owned Eagle Eye for more than five years.
The 128-page book tells the story of a charming neighborhood through historic photos and interviews with residents.
Hartle spent days in the Atlanta History Center, researching and reading through archives of local newspapers to get background on the area. He interviewed local architecture experts, members of Druid Hills Baptist Church, representatives of the Druid Hills Country Club and others who remember some of the neighborhood's recent history, including the battle to keep the Presidential Parkway from wiping out great swaths of the community.
"The people who helped build the city into what it is today lived here; it was the place to be," said Hartle. "There were a lot of interesting stories —- including a few scandals, like the murder of Henry Heinz."
Heinz, a Citizens and Southern vice president who was married to Coca-Cola magnate Asa Candler's daughter, Lucy, was shot in the library of the couple's Mediterranean-style house at 1600 Ponce de Leon Ave. in 1943. The house has since been turned into condos.
One of the tidbits that most surprised Hartle also involved Candler. At one time, Candler lived on an estate on Briarcliff Road that today is part of Emory.
"He was an eccentric who decided to have a zoo in his yard —- animals like baboons and gorillas," said Hartle.
And, of course, no history of Druid Hills would be complete without information on the area's most famous homes, from Lullwater House and Callanwolde to the modest two-story that appeared in the movie "Driving Miss Daisy."
With the neighborhood history behind him, Hartle is now looking to his next project: A book about the Black Crackers, an Atlanta baseball team that was part of the Negro League from 1919 to 1952.
Four things you may not know about Robert Hartle
1. He's an avid cyclist who gets around town on his bike and MARTA.
2. A voracious reader, he's fond of satire. His favorite author is James Thurber.
3. He's a huge fan of the Hawks and Braves.
4. He's a graduate of Whitefield Academy in Mableton.
About the Book
"Atlanta's Druid Hills: A Short History" retails for $19.99 and is available locally at the Eagle Eye Book Shop, 2076 N. Decatur Road. The store will donate 10 percent of sale proceeds to the Druid Hills Civic Association. 404-486-0307.
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