Have you ever stopped and wondered about the history of a place? Imagine standing here, right in the heart of Toco Hills, a prominent shopping center that serves as the commercial nucleus of North Druid Hills. Toco Hills is a fascinating location, full of vibrant life, and its history unfolds like captivating chapters in a storybook.
North Druid Hills is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in DeKalb County, Georgia. The bustling area, while close to the city, offers a unique blend of urban and suburban life. It was a rather rural place before the 1960s, when things started to change.
The area’s transformation began with the development of Executive Park, a groundbreaking suburban office park. This marked a significant shift, ushering in a period of rapid suburban development and growth. It’s interesting to think how this area changed from a mostly rural place to one with a bustling commercial center. Before the Second World War, the area was mostly farmland, but after the war, many Jews moved out of other parts of Atlanta and into North Druid Hills and the Morningside and Lenox Park neighborhoods.
Today, the area is known for its three Jewish schools, six synagogues, and a mikveh, reflecting its thriving Orthodox Jewish community. This vibrant community has transformed parts of LaVista Road into an important center of Orthodox Judaism in the Atlanta area.
The Toco Hills Shopping Center, with its two main commercial sections, has been a landmark in the area since the 1950s. The name Toco Hills has a fascinating origin, with some claiming it’s derived from the Brazilian Indian word “toco,” meaning “good luck,” while others argue it came from the informal abbreviation “top of the County,” hinting at its prominence. However, it’s undeniable that the area has played a pivotal role in the development of suburban Atlanta.
So next time you’re here, take a moment to appreciate the legacy that surrounds you. You’re not just standing in a shopping center; you’re standing at the heart of a story, a story that’s as vibrant and diverse as the community that calls North Druid Hills home. It’s more than just a place, it’s a history, a community, and a vibrant tapestry of urban life.