History of Dunwoody

Today, Dunwoody, Georgia, is known as an urban center for dining and premier shopping near Atlanta, anchored by Perimeter Mall, but the area officially recognized as the city of Dunwoody didn’t exist until December 2008, when Dunwoody was officially incorporated following a community-led movement.

Although not formally recognized as a city before then, residents in this area have always identified themselves as living in "Dunwoody" — a place with a distinctive history separate from other areas and cities in DeKalb County.

An Early Center of Commerce

Dunwoody’s roots go back hundreds of years, but even from its earliest days, Dunwoody, GA, has been a center of commerce. The Cherokee Indian tribe of the Creek Confederation first inhabited the area that is now Dunwoody, largely because of its proximity to the Chattahoochee River. It was the largest and busiest trading center in the vicinity. By 1820, Cherokee farms dotted the area around the Chattahoochee, and white settlers began to arrive soon thereafter, creating homesteads and expanding the area’s population.

Shaped by Mill & Rail

Charles Archibald Alexander Dunwoody (Dunwoody namesake, 1828-1905) was the son of John Dunwoody (also spelled Dunwody), one of the founders of the Roswell Manufacturing Company mills in neighboring Roswell, Georgia. By 1853, area had two cotton mills, employed about 300 people and was the largest cotton factory complex in North Georgia.

A railroad between Roswell and Atlanta was soon built, used to transport much-needed mill products to Atlanta during the Civil War and first linking the Dunwoody area to Atlanta. Much of that line was destroyed during the war, and after the fighting ended, Charles Dunwoody decided to build a new home near what it now Chamblee-Dunwoody Road and Spalding Drive.

A new railroad, the Roswell Railroad, was built to run between Roswell and Chamblee with a stop in Dunwoody, carrying produce from Dunwoody and fabric from the mills in Roswell. Dunwoody soon developed as a crossroads community (Chamblee-Dunwoody, Mt. Vernon and Nandina Road) and continued to grow and prosper even after the railroad shut down in 1921.

Enduring History

Today, people can visit several historic sites in Dunwoody, including the city’s oldest building, the Ebenezer Primitive Baptist Church, which was built in 1829. The still-active church is home to a well-preserved cemetery where many of the founding fathers of Dunwoody are buried. Visitors can also browse through the Cheek-Spruill Farmhouse (1906), Swancy Farmhouse (1889) and Railroad Section Gang House (1880).

Upcoming Events

Earth Day Eve

The nature center will be in full Earth Day celebration mode on Friday night, and we will be back for more on Saturday morning!...

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Lemonade Days 5K

In partnership with the 19th annual Lemonade Days festival hosted by Dunwoody Preservation Trust (DPT), you are invited to the...

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Lemonade Days Festival

Wednesday, April 18 through Sunday, April 22 Location: Brook Run Park 4770 North Peachtree Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338 Join us for the...

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The Finnish Illusion:...

This exhibition brings together international Finnish artists Ilona Cutts, Katja Tukiainen and Maria Wolfram to create a unique...

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Do Good Drop Ins

Looking for a feel-good activity for the whole family? Visit during our drop-in periods (no reservations needed and we have...

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Dunwoody's Irish Music...

Live Irish Music session by many of the city's finest musicians both playing and singing traditional and contemporary Irish music....

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Dunwoody Food Truck...

Put the pots and pans away and come out to Brook Run Park, and enjoy a fun evening out and feast on some of the best food truck...

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12th Annual Pottery and...

The Spruill Center Pottery & Art Sale features a wide variety of handcrafted ceramics, glass, jewelry and more created by...

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Monarchs & Margaritas...

By popular demand, Monarchs & Margaritas is coming back to the Dunwoody Nature Center for a third year. Join us for an upscale...

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Women's Self-Defense...

Join the City of Dunwoody, the Dunwoody Police Department, and UFC Gym have come together to offer FREE self-defense classes for...

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Irish Tenor Emmet...

Irish Tenor to Perform Concert Benefitting Dunwoody Youth On Sunday, April 29, at 7:00 p.m. Dunwoody United Methodist Church...

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Play trivia and meet...

Join our trivia league! We go for several weeks, and you can attend as many times as you'd like. Every team can have as many...

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Dunwoody Farmers Market

A place where can you drink organic coffee, eat a fresh baked breakfast biscuit, and grocery shop for tonight's dinner, all while...

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Caffeine & Octane Car...

Every First Sunday of the Month Perimeter Mall 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Road Free for Attendees and Participants The largest car show...

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Cork 'n Pork Festival:...

This annual walk-around tasting never fails to sell out. The festival features unlimited tastings of a wide array of Barbecue...

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Pinot and Picasso

Dunwoody Nature Center is partnering with Painting with a Twist, a local paint and sip business, to bring a fun, nature-themed...

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DNC Summer Concert...

Join the Nature Center for another summer of music and fun during their 2018 Summer Concert Series. This year brings a wonderful...

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Dunwoody Art Festival

A Mother’s Day tradition in the City of Dunwoody, the crowd-pleasing Dunwoody Art Festival will celebrate its eighth dazzling show...

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Wine Tasting & Painting...

Join Vino Venue and Painting with a Twist for an afternoon of wine tasting, painting & lite bites! $55 for both the tasting...

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DNC Summer Concert...

Join the Nature Center for another summer of music and fun during their 2018 Summer Concert Series. This year brings a wonderful...

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Official Visitors Guide
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41 Perimeter Center East, Suite 200
Dunwoody, Georgia 30346 / 877-630-2270

© CVB of Dunwoody