Neighborhood Profile: Atlanta’s Cabbagetown
April 5, 2010
•Le Cordon Bleu
•Atlanta
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Neighborhood Profile: Atlanta’s Cabbagetown
Cabbagetown may only occupy a six-block radius within downtown Atlanta, Georgia, but most residents will tell you it’s the most sought after residential area of the city. For the last 30 years, this once neglected neighborhood has seen a welcomed revitalization bringing in businesses, artists, singles, and families to create an eclectic community.
In the 1880s, textile operations began at the Fulton Cotton and Bag Mill and a tight-knit community of factory workers settled nearby to establish the Cabbagetown community. The plant closed in 1977, but not before being added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
In the early 1990s, the mill was turned into trendy lofts, which aided in Cabbagetown’s returned popularity. The buildings still remain today – despite a fire and a tornado (more on that to come) – and continue to be at the town’s center keeping the historic feel intact.
Culinary treats on Carroll Street
Carroll Street runs through the heart of Cabbagetown and provides an idyllic setting for the residents and for those that just stop by to visit. Many first time visitors comment on the street’s character and old-timey feel the area is so well known for.
Popular eateries include The Market, which has been in Cabbagetown for 70 years, and the Carroll Street Café that has also become a Cabbagetown staple. Both offer excellent lunch menus with a variety of sandwiches, burgers, salads, and other Southern-style comfort foods.
2008 tornado
On March 14, 2008, the Atlanta area suffered unprecedented damage from a series of tornados. Cabbagetown suffered the brunt of the storm and as a result appeared in news headlines around the world.
130 mile per hour winds ripped through the area uprooting trees, damaging roofs, and destroying some 20 historic homes. The Fulton Cotton Mill Lofts (what was once the textile mill) also suffered damage. Cabbagetown is still recovering from the storms, which will no doubt take several years, but nothing can replace that history.
Cabbagetown is more than a name
It’s tough to say where the name Cabbagetown originated. There is folklore that says the Irish and Scottish settlers grew cabbage in the front yards of their “shotgun” homes and cooked cabbage for every meal, creating a distinct aroma that passersby couldn’t help but notice. While the name was originally intended to be a slur against the poor residents of Cabbagetown, they felt pride over their heritage and therefore embraced the name just the same.
Whatever its roots, the name Cabbagetown did stick and the neighborhood is so adored today that it couldn’t be called by any other name.
This article is presented by Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Atlanta. Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Atlanta offers Le Cordon Bleu culinary education classes and culinary training programs in Atlanta, Georgia. To learn more about the class offerings, please visit http://www.Chefs.edu/Atlanta for more information. Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Atlanta does not guarantee employment or salary.