Collier Heights - History

History

The neighborhood was founded in 1948, and boasts several famous and history making homeowners, such as Martin Luther King, Sr; Donald Hollowell; millionaire builder Herman J. Russell; Ralph David and Juanita Abernathy, and Christine King Farris. Collier Heights is also home to several prominent figures,such as U.S. Congresswoman and Presidential Nominee from the Green Party, Cynthia Mckinney; Georgia House of Representative Member, Billy McKinney; Attorney and former State Senator, Leroy Johnson; former City Councilwoman Myrtle Davis; television actress Jasmine Guy from the Diff'rent World television series; famed coach Calvin “Monk” Jones and Dr. Asa G. Yancey, Sr., one of the first African American doctors in the State of Georgia. In addition to various celebrities, many African American lawyers, doctors, educators and businessmen call the well-known area home. Collier Heights gained its fame in the 1960s when bus tours were guided through the neighborhood to display Atlanta's new bourgeoning African American middle class. In the 1980s, Collier Heights' popularity and prominence within the African American community began to settle with the growth of other than-newer areas of Atlanta's Southwest side, such as Peyton Forest and Cascade Heights. Collier Heights reinvented itself in the new century with a strong homeowners association that brought on its own neighborhood security patrol and highlighted the prominence of its homes and homeowners in various publications, once again making Collier Heights the address of choice.