Inman Park was Atlanta's first planned community and one of the nation's first garden suburbs.  In the late 19th century, a developer by the name of Joel Hurt built the community and donated the land for Springvale Park which is in the center of the neighborhood.  Today, Inman Park is one of the few neighborhoods where most of the buildings of its earliest period remain intact, giving the district a visual unity. 

As you walk the streets of Inman Park large, ornate and brightly painted Victorian homes sit on tree-lined avenues and other buildings of this romantic era make you feel you stepped back in time.  The Inman Park homes are examples of 19th century high Victorian, Queen Anne, late Victorian colonial as well as classic revival and early 20th century bungalows which give a distinct character to this entire residential area.  The area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

This “streetcar suburb” shows off Frederick Law Olmsted’s famous landscape architectural influence throughout the neighborhood with creating park-like settings throughout. 

Over the years, many prominent Atlanta businessmen and community leaders built their residences in Inman Park.  A successful neighborhood, many prominent and successful citizens of Atlanta took up residence in the community.  Asa G. Candler, founder of the Coca Cola Company, and Joel Hurt, the developer of Inman Park, were among the many.   Families picnicked in Springvale Park, strolled around Crystal Lake.  Churches were active and a strong community spirit prevailed.  Inman Park was not only a good place to live; it was the place to live.  Those were the “good old days” for Inman Park.

Early in the 20th century the community began to lose ground to newer and more elite subdivisions.   As old zoning restrictions expired, construction of apartment buildings, smaller homes and businesses began to appear.  By the 1950s, the glory of the original neighborhood was all but gone.  Even Crystal Lake became polluted and clogged becoming barely more than a mosquito-infested swamp until it was finally drained.  Neglect throughout the neighborhood prevailed. 

However, the early 1970s saw a resurgence in the interest of the romantic Victorian architecture and soon the rebirth of Inman Park was underway.  A civic organization was formed, and though it was a difficult feat, the entire neighborhood was rezoned back to residential.  In 1973, Inman Park was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Renovations that have been underway have restored the charm of the neighborhood and Inman Park homes for sale include some of the grandest architecture of the area. 

Inman Park has several cultural venues:  Variety Playhouse has been awarded "Best Concert Venue" several years in a row, Seven Stages theater can always be counted on for a stimulating and thought-provoking evening, the Inman Park Festival in April of each year offers a weekend of fun and excitement – complete with a parade!