A mural in Joyland. Photo by FCS staff.
The neighborhoods of South Atlanta hold plenty of memories, and they are full of enlightening history. Today, we’re celebrating Joyland!
Joyland includes lots of small, single family homes. Originally, it was the site of an amusement park for African Americans that opened in 1921. The only amusement park specifically for Black Americans, Joyland was located in a pleasant, shady spot. Though the amusement park is gone today, there’s still a lot to marvel at in this area!
Joyland has one of the oldest Black civic leagues in the city of Atlanta.
This area has been led by some of the area’s most civic-minded Black residents, including Ken Akbar, the current president of the civic league.
Joyland Park was hit by an act of nature shortly after opening.
The groundbreaking amusement park suffered destruction in a wild wind storm. The gusts let leopards out of their cages and even blew the roof off the Big Top show. The park was eventually restored through insurance funds.
Arthur Langford, Jr. Park is named for a prominent Black historical figure Arthur E. Langford Jr.
Langford served as a city councilman and state senator. He was also the father of former First Lady of Atlanta Sara-Elizabeth Reed. The park that bears his name was originally named Joyland Park until locals decided to change it in order to honor his memory.
Today, you can visit Joyland’s thriving local nursery Nourish Botanica (started by a Start:ME Alumna!), gather at the Louise Watley Library, or play basketball on the beautiful mural in Arthur Langford, Jr. Park.
We are proud of the rich history in South Atlanta, including our own neighborhood and the ones adjacent to us. We are grateful to learn and preserve from these communities each day.
