Exploring Atlanta’s Historic Fourth Ward: A Local Guide to One of the City’s Most Interesting Neighborhoods

Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward—often just called Fourth Ward Atlanta—is one of the city’s most dynamic intown neighborhoods. It blends deep civil rights history with rapid redevelopment, trail-front living, and some of the best public spaces in the city.

Whether you’re moving to Atlanta, already live here, or planning a visit, understanding Old Fourth Ward helps you make sense of how the city is changing and where to spend your time.

Where Is Old Fourth Ward in Atlanta?

Old Fourth Ward (often abbreviated O4W) sits on the east side of Downtown/Midtown Atlanta, inside the city limits.

You’ll generally find it:

• West of: Inman Park and Poncey-Highland
• East of: Downtown and the Georgia State University area
• North of: Memorial Drive and the Martin Luther King Jr. historic district
• South of: Ponce de Leon Avenue and Midtown

While exact boundaries can vary by map or real estate listing, many Atlantans think of Old Fourth Ward as the area:

• Between Freedom Parkway and Dekalb Avenue (rough north–south)
• Around the Eastside BeltLine Trail and Ponce City Market

If you’re using MARTA, nearby rail stations include:

• King Memorial Station (Blue/Green line)
• Inman Park/Reynoldstown Station (Blue/Green line)
• Multiple bus routes along Boulevard, Ponce de Leon Ave, and Highland Ave

Why It’s Called “Old Fourth Ward”

The name comes from Atlanta’s historic Fourth Ward, one of the original political divisions of the city in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Over time:

• The Fourth Ward stretched east of downtown and included a large Black residential and business community.
• It became a center of Black culture, business, and religious life—the backdrop for the early life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• As city government restructured, “wards” were replaced by modern council districts, but the neighborhood kept the Old Fourth Ward name.

When people say “Fourth Ward Atlanta” today, they almost always mean Old Fourth Ward, specifically this historic eastside neighborhood.

A Neighborhood Shaped by Civil Rights History

Old Fourth Ward is one of the most significant neighborhoods in the civil rights story of the United States.

Key Historic Sites in and Around Old Fourth Ward

While the official Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park overlaps with adjacent blocks and nearby sub-areas, it’s functionally part of the Old Fourth Ward experience:

• Martin Luther King Jr. Birth Home
  501 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
  A preserved home where Dr. King spent his early years. Tours are often scheduled and can fill quickly, so same-day planning may be needed.

• Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church
  407 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
  The church where Dr. King co-pastored. Visitors can sit in the sanctuary, listen to recorded sermons, and attend services at the newer church building across the street.

• King Center for Nonviolent Social Change
  449 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
  Features exhibits on Dr. King and Coretta Scott King, with a reflecting pool and Dr. King’s tomb on-site.

• Auburn Avenue (“Sweet Auburn”)
  Once called the “richest Negro street in the world,” Auburn Ave was a major corridor of Black-owned businesses and institutions. It runs just south of what most people consider core Old Fourth Ward and is deeply connected to its history.

If you live in Atlanta, this area is where school field trips, out-of-town visits, and personal explorations often start when you’re sharing the city’s story with others.

Modern Old Fourth Ward: Parks, Trails, and Intown Living

Over the last 10–15 years, Old Fourth Ward has changed dramatically, becoming a prime example of intown redevelopment.

Historic Fourth Ward Park

This is one of the neighborhood’s main anchors.

Address:
680 Dallas St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308 (general park area)

Highlights:

• Stormwater retention pond that doubles as a scenic lake
• Walking paths and boardwalks
• Playground and splash pad
• Greenspace for picnics, yoga, or small gatherings
• Amphitheater-style lawn used for occasional events

The park sits just east of Ponce City Market and directly along the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail, making it easy to access by bike or on foot from Inman Park, Midtown, or Virginia-Highland.

Atlanta BeltLine: Eastside Trail

Old Fourth Ward is arguably the center of activity on the BeltLine’s Eastside Trail.

On any given afternoon or weekend, you’ll see:

• Walkers and joggers commuting or exercising
• Bicycles and scooters moving between neighborhoods
• Murals and public art along warehouses and retaining walls
• Frequent stops at restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries right off the trail

If you’re new to Atlanta, walking the Eastside Trail through Old Fourth Ward is one of the fastest ways to understand how the city has been reshaping older industrial areas into mixed-use neighborhoods.

Ponce City Market and Nearby Destinations

Ponce City Market

Address:
675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

This massive brick building, a former Sears & Roebuck distribution center, is now:

• A food hall with local and regional restaurants
• A mix of shops, offices, and lofts
• A rooftop space with views of the skyline and seasonal attractions

It backs directly onto the BeltLine Eastside Trail, making it a major access point for Old Fourth Ward residents, Midtown office workers, and visitors.

Edgewood Avenue & Highland Avenue

Running through Old Fourth Ward are several smaller commercial nodes:

• Edgewood Avenue (toward Downtown and Sweet Auburn)
  Known for nightlife, bars, and late-night food.
• North Highland Avenue (around North Ave/Ponce area)
  A more neighborhood-feeling strip with restaurants, coffee, and services.

These corridors give Old Fourth Ward an urban, walkable feel that many Atlantans seek out, especially compared to more car-dependent suburbs.

Living in Old Fourth Ward: What To Expect

For people considering moving to or renting in Old Fourth Ward, there are some common themes.

Housing Types

You’ll find:

• Newer mid-rise and high-rise apartment buildings near the BeltLine and Ponce City Market
• Renovated bungalows and historic homes on side streets
• Townhomes and loft conversions in former industrial spaces
• Some older apartment buildings and more modest homes further from the trail

Because of its location and amenities, Old Fourth Ward is generally considered:

• More expensive than many other areas inside the Perimeter
• Still more varied than some neighboring “luxury only” districts, especially a few blocks away from the BeltLine

Walkability and Transportation

Pros:

• Highly walkable by Atlanta standards, especially near the park and BeltLine
• Easy bike access via the Eastside Trail
• Multiple MARTA bus lines, and relatively short rides to downtown or Midtown

Trade-offs:

• Limited on-street parking in some sections
• Weekend traffic increases around Ponce City Market and major restaurants
• Rideshare pickups can be clustered and slow during busy times

If you don’t want to depend on a car for every errand, Old Fourth Ward is one of the few neighborhoods in Atlanta where that’s increasingly realistic, especially within a half-mile of the BeltLine.

Old Fourth Ward for Visitors: What to Do in a Day

If you have a day—or even a half day—in Atlanta and want to experience Old Fourth Ward, a simple loop might look like this:

1. Start at the King Historic District

   • Walk Auburn Avenue, visit the King Center, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and nearby historic sites.

2. Walk or ride toward Historic Fourth Ward Park

   • Use neighborhood streets or bike/scooter options.

3. Relax at Historic Fourth Ward Park

   • Take in the lake, walk the paths, and enjoy the skyline backdrop.

4. Hop on the BeltLine Eastside Trail

   • Head north or south to explore murals, shops, and side streets.

5. End at Ponce City Market

   • Eat, explore the food hall, and, if time allows, enjoy rooftop views on days it’s open.

This route gives you a blend of Atlanta’s civil rights history, green space, and modern urban redevelopment all within a compact area.

Community Services and Civic Resources in and Around Old Fourth Ward

Residents of Old Fourth Ward are served by typical City of Atlanta infrastructure and services. Some key references:

City Government & Neighborhood Representation

• Old Fourth Ward falls within the City of Atlanta and is represented by a specific Atlanta City Council District and Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU).
• Community members often participate in neighborhood associations and NPU meetings to discuss zoning changes, traffic concerns, and local development.

For current district and NPU info, residents can contact or visit:

• City of Atlanta – City Hall
  55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main city information line is available through the city’s public switchboard.

Public Safety

The neighborhood is primarily served by:

• Atlanta Police Department
  The area is typically within Zone 5 and nearby zones, which cover Downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.
• Atlanta Fire Rescue Department
  Several fire stations are within a short drive radius.

Residents commonly stay informed about safety via:

• Neighborhood social media groups
• NPU and neighborhood association meetings
• City and APD alerts

Quick Snapshot: Old Fourth Ward at a Glance

Things Atlantans Commonly Consider About Old Fourth Ward

When locals talk about Old Fourth Ward, a few recurring themes come up:

• Growth and gentrification:
  Longtime residents and newer arrivals often have strong views about rising rents, new development, and preserving historic culture.

• Noise and activity levels:
  Proximity to bars, restaurants, and the BeltLine means more street activity, especially during evenings and weekends.

• Access to greenspace and amenities:
  Having Historic Fourth Ward Park, the BeltLine, and multiple grocery and retail options nearby is a major plus.

• Traffic and parking:
  Major events, weekends at Ponce City Market, and BeltLine traffic can create congestion in an area that wasn’t originally designed for current volumes.

If you’re deciding whether Old Fourth Ward fits your lifestyle, it helps to visit at different times—weekday mornings, weeknights, and weekend afternoons—to see the neighborhood’s full rhythm.

How Old Fourth Ward Fits into the Bigger Picture of Atlanta

For someone trying to understand how Old Fourth Ward relates to the rest of Atlanta:

• It’s part of the city’s eastside core, connected to Inman Park, Sweet Auburn, Poncey-Highland, and Midtown.
• It represents Atlanta’s balance between honoring civil rights history and embracing new urban development.
• It’s a practical home base for people who want easy access to downtown jobs, Midtown offices, and major cultural destinations without moving to the suburbs.

If you live elsewhere in the metro area, Old Fourth Ward is often where you’ll bring visitors to show them a walkable, trail-oriented side of Atlanta that might surprise people used to thinking of the city only in terms of highways and suburbs.

By understanding Fourth Ward Atlanta—its history, layout, and current role in city life—you get a clearer view of where Atlanta has been and where it’s headed.