Bankhead => "Historic Westin Heights" and other name changes

[bu2]

Originally Posted by bryantm3

So the BeltLine and other organizations are calling Bankhead "Historic Westin Heights" now. Is there any real history to this name or did someone just pull this out of their behind? I think I saw in some old plans, that neighborhood being referred to as "Western Heights" for a very short time, but I have never heard of "Westin Heights".

We all know Bankhead has a rough history but this new name feels fake.

On the other hand, look at Blandtown— the new neighborhood that is going there has almost none of the original buildings or residents (it has been mostly empty for years). Putting the old name on new buildings also seems kinda "fake" because it's basically a new neighborhood.

Not sure how to feel but I thought it might be an interesting topic for discussion— when is the time to keep the name and when is the time to let it go?

Anything that puts "historic" in its name is pretty forced and silly.

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by Yoski

For those outside of the Atlanta metro, if you ask them to name areas of Atlanta, Bankhead would likely top the list.

I think Buckhead would but Bankhead would get several mentions too.

[equinox63]

Originally Posted by bryantm3

So the BeltLine and other organizations are calling Bankhead "Historic Westin Heights" now. Is there any real history to this name or did someone just pull this out of their behind? I think I saw in some old plans, that neighborhood being referred to as "Western Heights" for a very short time, but I have never heard of "Westin Heights".

We all know Bankhead has a rough history but this new name feels fake.

On the other hand, look at Blandtown— the new neighborhood that is going there has almost none of the original buildings or residents (it has been mostly empty for years). Putting the old name on new buildings also seems kinda "fake" because it's basically a new neighborhood.

Not sure how to feel but I thought it might be an interesting topic for discussion— when is the time to keep the name and when is the time to let it go?

I haven't heard of "Westin Heights" either. I hope it's not an attempt to play on its proximity of 2.6 miles from the Westin Downtown hotel. Maybe it's just coincidence.

It reminds me of a realtor with a YouTube channel who was single-handedly trying to rebrand Oakland City as "West End Heights". For the record, I do like Blandtown as that is the neighborhood's name -- and it doesn't have the same controversial history as Bankhead. Any development project in that community can name itself whatever they like, but if it were in the neighborhood boundaries, then it would just happen to be in Blandtown. Similarly, I really don't view "West Midtown" as an actual neighborhood, but actually an area with various different neighborhoods therein -- not very different from Buckhead, for example.

I think the same can be said for Bankhead. For example, T.I. actually lived and grew up in Center Hill and Grove Park, but claimed "Bankhead" because the street ran through both neighborhoods.

IMHO, I think the MARTA station should be renamed to either the "Grove Park Station" or the "Hollowell Station". True, Bankhead has a lot of name recognition -- but so does Simpson Rd., Ashby St., Grady High, etc. and most people have seemed to adjust. Worst case scenario is that you may hear old locals (like myself) say stuff like...

"This is Hollowell -- the 'Old Bankhead Highway'. This whole area used to be called Bankhead back in day, but they have cleaned it up since then..."

Of course, I'm sure that legacy would live on through establishments like "Bankhead Seafood" which I believe wants to pay homage to a beloved neighborhood establishment that was there throughout the neighborhood's highs and lows.

[demonta4]

Originally Posted by SEAandATL

Blandtown makes it sound bland, lol. Howell Station is one of the names given to that area, or simply the Howell Mill District.

The Centennial Hill area is another one with different names .

Blandtown is not Howell Station, Howell Station is one neighborhood across the railroad from Blandtown and it's tiny.

[equinox63]

Originally Posted by bu2

Anything that puts "historic" in its name is pretty forced and silly.

Unless, of course, it’s actually historic. But I do see your point about creating a new neighborhood name and slapping “Historic” in front. But with that said, there are many neighborhoods/districts that deserve to add “Historic” to their titles.

Historic West End, Historic Grant Park, Historic Main St. in College Park/East Point, Historic Collier Heights, Historic O4W, and even Historic Marietta Square come to mind. Of course, the “Historic” is not mandatory, but I personally think any neighborhood established before 1920 has a right to add “Historic” to its title.

https://discoveratlanta.com/blog/exp...neighborhoods/

https://www.atlantaga.gov/government...ct-information