Darryl Haddock Oral History: Bush Mountain Community

For more than 100 years, Bush Mountain has existed as a thriving African American community on a bit more than two streets within the Oakland City district.

For much of its history, the Bush Mountain community was fairly isolated, though just a few miles from Downtown Atlanta.  Almost all public utilities came to Bush Mountain later than other parts of Atlanta. It wasn’t until the mid-1950s that the streets were finally paved and mailboxes were placed in front of each home.    In the late 1960s and early 1970s, as housing discrimination  became illegal and white flight took root, the broader neighborhood became predominately African American. Today Bush Mountain still maintains a distinct identity but maintains close ties with Oakland City neighbors.   Each space has made a dramatic and lasting impact on the city and, together, they form a core historic district in Southwest Atlanta.