Still East Cobb After All These Years
Despite the many changes and growth, the area's dynamics remain the same.
When I first moved to East Cobb things were very different than what you see today. The annual Chattahoochee River Raft Race was drawing 500,000 funseekers. I think the last one saw almost a million folks on the 'Hooch. What a great time was had by all UNLESS you lived on the river. In that case, your yard became an open toilet, an exit point for drunk rafters and a phone booth for many.
Running along the river between Columns Drive and Powers Ferry Road was a totally different experience. The trail was wide enough for one runner at a time. There was no bridge nor any public restrooms. You didn't have to pay for parking. In fact, there was no public parking for the longest time. You parked along Columns Drive. Turning around at the end of Columns Drive could be quite an experience. On a long weekend run, you could actually watch a polo match because Columns was the home of the Atlanta Polo Grounds.
The nicest restaurant in the area was Cashin's Place, located in the original Merchant's Walk village. Cashin's rivaled Houston's for its salads and service. I think its founder, Jack Cashin, still lives in the area. Some of the original tenants of the Merchants Walk village still remain in business.
Everyone remembers the pine straw corner at Johnson Ferry and Roswell Road. But do you remember The Little Barber Shop? How about Perkins Hardware? The first time I ate at Longhorn Steaks was at its location on Lower Roswell. But back then, you walked in through a screen door. It was spartan, with little decor but much ambiance. The tables were covered with red and white checkered plastic table clothes. It was a good place to have a cold beer or an iced tea.
Johnson Ferry Baptist Church and Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church were much smaller, but growing churches. In fact, the original chapel at Mt. Bethel still stands and was a very lonely little building back then. I don't remember any synagogues at that time. Bagelicious had not yet arrived. There were no big box retailers then, either.
Needless to say, lots has changed since I first arrived here. Other than the traffic, I have no regrets about living in East Cobb. I still think it's one of the very best places to live, work and raise kids in all of America. Heck, even the traffic is a testament to how much those of us that live here love the area.
Friends, families and co-workers have followed us here and made East Cobb their home, as well. I don't think I will ever leave.
How do you rate the quality of life in East Cobb?
Tell us in the comments.
In This article
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Longhorn Steakhouse
4721 Lower Roswell Rd, Marietta, GA -
Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church
4385 Lower Roswell Rd, Marietta, GA -
Bagelicious
1255 Johnson Ferry Rd, Marietta, GA
Jim Weiss
9:18 am on Sunday, March 27, 2011
Great piece! As someone who has lived in EC for 17 years, I would like to suggest a "Now & Then" photo section at some point. I would really enjoying seeing pictures of the area back before things were developed. Perhaps readers could send them in(?) Just a thought. Keep up the good work!
Dennis Patria
11:48 am on Sunday, March 27, 2011
Let us not forget that Parkair was a real airport . That the Parkair shopping center was once an enclosed mall with the ice rink in the middle. Yes , lots of things have changed but having moved away six years ago makes me realize , when I come back for visits, that East Cobb has something special.
Lynda Coker
10:38 am on Friday, April 1, 2011
You captured some excellent points. Having lived here for over 30 years and been active in the community, I can definitely say that the gowth and changes have been exceptional, positive impacts on the quality of our lives. There is no better place to live, work and raise our families. One of the great additions has been the sharing of information through the East Cobber and the great parade each year. We are very fortunate and truly blessed to call East Cob our home.
Mark Younker
5:29 pm on Wednesday, April 20, 2011
The fifties was the transformation from farm life to suburbia in East Cobb. I have lived here ALL my life, 51 years... I can remember shagging foul balls at Mt. Bethel Baseball Park and running across the sleepy two lane road, Johnson Ferry to get the balls that flew back and into the cemetery. I can remember bailing hay in the pasture where Soap Creek Elementary School is. I know the Gantts, the Dickersons, the Murdocks, and the Daniels (old family farms). Paper Mill Baptist used to be Sardis Baptist; Holt Road Baptist used to be Cloverdale Baptist; Sewell Mill Baptist used to be Antioch Baptist. The Martin Drive-In theater was on Roswell Rd. where New London Square Shopping center is. I remember when it was East Marietta, not East Cobb (Kind of like East Marietta better). I remember when Wheeler was built. I went to Powers Ferry Elementary which was known as the "stingers" because it fed originally Sprayberry, the original "East Cobb" high school. The original Sprayberry was located where The Walker School is now. 80% of the Dads worked at Lockheed in the 50's and 60's. $0.25 got you swimming all day long at Sewell Park in the summer. Beverly Hills was the first subdivision with a pool. Indian Hills changed the area forever in 1969. I worked at Wheeler High (employed students and gave us keys to the school, go figure), Olgetrees (the anchor store of original Merchants Walk), Food Giant (near ParkAir) and of course construction... Keep the stories coming!
Wendy Parker
6:59 pm on Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Hey Mark, thanks for the memories. Wheeler Class of '78 -- hard to believe it's been that long ago. Hope you're doing well. Thanks for reading East Cobb Patch.