Buckhead, Beso’s home, is an uptown commercial and residential district in the northernmost fifth of Atlanta, known for its luxury shopping and fantastic nightlife. It’s also known as Atlanta’s premier dining district—It attracts food fans searching for unique cuisine and is a great place for an elevated take on Latin flavors.
But, how did this district become such a wonderful place? The history of Buckhead is so interesting and multifaceted that we’d like you to discover it with us right now! Let’s begin.
A Buck Deer’s Head
The history of Buckhead dates back to the early 19th century when the area was little more than a rural outpost. In 1838, Henry Irby, a settler from South Carolina, purchased 202.5 acres of land for $650 and established a general store and tavern at what is now the intersection of Peachtree Road and Paces Ferry Road. While initially its name was “Irbyville”, the settlement was then renamed “Buckhead” after a legend that Irby hung a buck deer’s head at his tavern.
Throughout the 1800s, Buckhead remained a quiet community with scattered farms and plantations. Wealthy Atlantans seeking a retreat from the city began building summer homes in the area which, indeed, was briefly renamed “Atlanta Heights”.
But then, the Civil War brought turmoil to Buckhead, as it was near the Battle of Peachtree Creek, part of General Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign. However, Buckhead recovered quickly in the post-war years.
Buckhead’s Early 20th-Century Development
By the early 1900s, Buckhead had turned into one of Atlanta’s most prestigious residential areas. Affluent families (including the Habershams, Paces, and Calhouns), built mansions in the area. One of the most famous was the Governor’s Mansion, built in the 1960s and serving as the official residence for Georgia’s governors.
Also, after the Atlanta Race Riot of 1906 and the Great Atlanta Fire of 1917, many Black residents sought new places to live due to displacement and increasing racial segregation in central Atlanta. Hence, several Black enclaves emerged in Buckhead, particularly in areas such as Johnsontown, Piney Grove, Savagetown, and Macedonia Park.
So, Buckhead transformed from a quiet residential area into a more urbanized, commercially active district during the early 20th century—In 1927, Jacobs’ Drugstore, a well-known Atlanta pharmacy chain, opened at Peachtree and Roswell Roads and became a popular community gathering spot. Its location played a role in the area’s early commercial growth. In 1921, George P. Murray established Buckhead’s first hardware store, Murray’s Hardware Store, which contributed to the area’s transformation from a rural community into a more developed neighborhood. In 1925, Kamper’s Grocery opened and provided a crucial source of goods for residents as Buckhead’s population grew. In 1930, the Buckhead Theatre opened and became a major entertainment hub for movies, performances, and social events throughout the 1930s and 1940s (and it remains an iconic venue today).
Despite the Stock Market Crash of 1929, real estate continued to develop and Peachtree Road became the commercial and social heart of Buckhead. In 1930, Henry Aaron Alexander, a prominent Atlanta lawyer, built a 15,000-square-foot mansion on Peachtree Road that reflected the growing wealth of Buckhead’s elite during the early 20th century. During the mid-1940s, Fulton County began acquiring land in Macedonia Park, a historically Black community, to create a public park. By the 1950s, most of Macedonia Park had been demolished or displaced, and the land was converted into what is now Frankie Allen Park, disproportionately affecting Black communities in Atlanta.
In 1952, Buckhead was officially annexed by the city of Atlanta which changed Buckhead’s trajectory significantly, as it led to increased city services, infrastructure development, and urbanization. It also meant that Buckhead’s residents were now part of Atlanta’s political and civic landscape, rather than remaining a separate suburban entity.
Mid-to-Late 20th Century: The Commercial Boom
By the 1950s and 1960s, Buckhead was becoming a thriving commercial center. In 1959, the opening of Lenox Square Mall, one of the first shopping malls in the United States, marked a turning point, solidifying Buckhead’s reputation as a shopping destination.
And, during the 1980s and 1990s, Buckhead’s nightlife scene exploded, with bars, clubs, and restaurants making it one of the liveliest areas in Atlanta.
Modern Buckhead: The Beverly Hills of Atlanta
People often call Buckhead the “Beverly Hills of Atlanta” because of its wealth, upscale real estate, and high-end lifestyle, similar to Beverly Hills, California.
Buckhead is home to some of Atlanta’s wealthiest residents (business executives, celebrities, and athletes) and features multi-million-dollar mansions, exclusive gated communities, and historic estates.
The area is also a major luxury shopping destination, featuring Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza, and The Shops at Buckhead Atlanta (which house brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Hermès), and has various fine dining restaurants and high-end hotels.
Besides, Buckhead is one of Atlanta’s major financial districts, home to Fortune 500 companies and upscale office buildings. It also has a vibrant nightlife, arts, and entertainment scene, with exclusive clubs and music venues that cater to the city’s elite.
On the other hand, Buckhead still preserves pockets of its historical charm, with landmarks like the Swan House and the Atlanta History Center offering glimpses into its past.
Authentic Latin Flavors in Atlanta’s Premier Dining District
Buckhead is an ideal location for a Latin American fusion restaurant like Beso. For people who are open to international flavors and seeking innovative culinary experiences, fusion-style offerings are particularly appealing.
Our Latin American fusion restaurant in Buckhead blends flavors in a sophisticated way, which
caters to both fine-dining enthusiasts and curious people looking for unique and unexpected flavors and combinations.
So, if you’re in or around this superb neighborhood in Atlanta, don’t miss out on the opportunity to experience Beso’s incredible Latin American cuisine!