This October, Westside Future Fund (WFF) acquired the historic English Avenue Carnegie Library, located along Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway. Originally opened in July 1922, the library was built at a cost of $23,000, funded by Fulton County and the City of Atlanta. Situated next to English Avenue School—then the largest school in the city, serving over 1,200 students—the library quickly became a vital community resource.
According to Archive Atlanta, just four months after its opening, the library had registered 700 borrowers and lent out over 4,000 books. Its first story-time event, held in October 1922, attracted 215 neighborhood children.
In later years, the building housed a taxi stand, and due to large amounts of cash being handled, the windows were fortified for security.
Today, WFF plans to preserve this historic landmark, with a vision of transforming it into office space. Located at a key intersection, this revitalization effort will not only restore the building’s legacy but also create workspaces for local businesses, fostering deeper connections with the community and offering easy access for residents and employees alike. The restoration will be supported by partners eightvillage and oaksATL.
This acquisition is part of WFF’s broader commitment to preserving the Westside’s historic structures. It adds to a growing portfolio that includes 220 Sunset, the former home of Mayor Maynard Jackson’s family, and the Yellow Store, once a bustling mixed-use hub in English Avenue.
The acquisition of the English Avenue Carnegie Library marks another significant step in WFF’s ongoing mission to honor and preserve the past while investing in the future of Atlanta’s historic Westside. By restoring these landmarks and repurposing them for modern use, WFF is celebrating the community’s rich history while driving economic opportunity and revitalization.
WFF’s mission to advance a compassionate approach to equitable revitalization is achieved through the support of our philanthropic partners. The organization has launched Our Next Chapter, a capital fundraising campaign to accelerate its ability to create affordable housing for legacy and future residents of the historic Westside and to restore these storied neighborhoods as part of the fabric of Atlanta.
Learn more about Our Next Chapter today.