On July 11, 2023, I enjoyed the DeKalb History Center’s walking tour around the East Lake community in Atlanta. Check the DHC website to find out more about available walking tours, dates and times. A Decatur architecture walking tour is also currently being offered.

The East Lake walking tour is primarily on Alston Drive but includes a couple of side streets that run between Alston and Memorial Drive. Our tour guide, DHC Programs and Membership Coordinator Marissa Howard, shared the history of some of the houses along the way and of East Lake Golf Club. The walk is approximately two miles.

Many of the homes in the 1892 East Lake community were originally summer homes. East Lake became a city in 1908, but in 1928 was incorporated into the city of Atlanta.

East Lake Golf Club first opened July 4, 1908. A young Bobby Jones learned to play golf there. It began as part of the Atlanta Athletic Club who purchased the land for a golf course and broke ground in 1904 as East Lake Country Club.  

Howard shared history from several homes along the path, including the Stirling Home and Meadow Nook, the Robert Alston home. The Stirling home was the childhood house of “The First Lady of East Lake,” Alex Stirling. The home was recently on the 2023 East Lake Tour of Homes and is now owned by East Lake Golf Club. Stirling won three U. S. Women’s Amateur Championships.  

The Robert Alston home on Alston Drive is the second-oldest home still standing in Atlanta. It was built in 1856 and goes by the name Meadow Nook. The application for this home to the National Register of Historic Places can be found on this National Park Service website.

Learn more about East Lake Golf Club and additional historic homes in the community on this engaging and informative tour. The next DeKalb History Center walking tour of East Lake will be Wednesday, September 6.