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Morningside Lenox Park Memories (1983)

Winter Newsletter, 1983

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mizell began residence at 886 E. Rock Springs Road on June 27, 1926. They moved to Atlanta from Valdosta, Ga. so that Mr. Mizell could begin work with Adair Realty Co.

At that time, Mrs. Mizell remembers, East Rock Springs was a deadend road.  There was a fence on the curve near 916 and there the street ended. At the intersection of N. Pelham, E. Rock Springs and Morningside there were 3 houses.  Across the street from the Mizells lived the Bacons and next door the Jones.  Surrounding those 6 homes was undeveloped land which was most appealing to families with small children such as the Mizells.

But soon after, "Everything opened up," said Mrs. Mizell. East Rock Springs extended to North Highland and both streets were paved.  Four or five years later, Morningside Elementary School was built for grades 1-3.  Mrs. Albright, Principal at Samuel Inman, served as principal at Morningside as well.  Parents were not satisfied with this arrangement and wanted their own principal.  So P.T.A. President, Mrs. Kreling and P.T.A. Vice President, Mrs. Mizell went downtown to see school superintendent Dr. Sutton.  Mrs. Mizell recalls that they were graciously received and ...Miss Gertrude Pollard, Morningside's first principal arrived shortly thereafter.

Both of the Mizell children, Robert Jr. and Margaret attended Morningside Elementary.  Robert was graduated from Boy's High and Margaret from Napsonia Institute on Ponce de Leon.  Robert Mizell, Sr. served as Director of Development at Emory University for many years.  A street on the campus is named for him.

The Mizell home was built in 1924 for J. R. Smith, Jr., son of Morningside developer J.R. Smith.  It is a spacious home with 2 bedrooms, bathroom, dining room, living room, kitchen/breakfast room, den and side porch downstairs as well as two bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs.  The Flemish oak raised paneling on the fireplace wall of the living room is noteworthy.  It is unusual for a Morningside home and stunning as well.  The porch they added on to the back of their home is Mrs. Mizell's favorite place for relaxation.  From it one can appreciate the landscaping design of Frank Smith.

Mrs. Mizell was a member of the Lenox Park Garden Club.  She recalled for me her favorite memory.  After World War II the club planted dogwoods behind Sunken Garden Park to honor members' relatives who had served.  Mrs. Mizell and Mrs. Camp were assigned the task of watering the trees during the summer.  They lugged buckets down many steps many times from Mrs. Camp's home which overlooked the site.  They spilled alot; even fell a couple of times but Mrs. Mizell proudly reported they didn't lose any of the 20 trees!

A member of the MLPA since it began, Mrs. Mizell remembers the fight to stop I-485.  Several friends moved away as a result of the highway scare. Now many wish they were back in Morningside says Mrs. Mizell.  "Wherever you raise your children always remains your home," she concluded.

by Pat Taylor

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