In 1892, the Atlanta Suburban Land Company developed the East End subdivision of South Decatur when the Metropolitan Street Railway Company inaugurated streetcar service between Atlanta and Decatur. The streetcar followed a right-of-way granted by ASLC and ran on what is now the tree-lined median on Oakview Road.
With the new streetcar service, residential sections started developing along the streetcar line between Atlanta and Decatur. East End was one of the few areas of Decatur that was developed primarily with the streetcar service as it central characteristic.
The Williams/Kosten home was built in 1910 as one of the first three homes on Third Avenue in East End. It was built by James B. McDonald and Eliza McDonald, who operated farms in and around East End on lands owned solely by Eliza.
The longest-running resident of the home was Ms. Virginia Caldwell, who purchased the home in 1967 and lived there until 1997. Ms. Caldwell ran a beauty shop on Mead Road in the 1960s and 1970s.
Throughout the home, you will notice original Arts and Crafts furnishing, including Hardman chairs and rocking chairs in the entrance and bedrooms, a rescued Mission bench in the entrance, and an original Gustav Stickley plant stand with a Samuel Forest Jardiniere planter.
Original lithographs and etchings of Andrew Kosten, Larry’s younger brother, are on display. An original work by artist James Dean depicting Oakhurst village hangs in the library. The colorful depiction of 923 Third Avenue hanging in the dining room was painted by Kyle.
On New Year’s Day 2004, a neighboring tree fell through a step-down, concrete-floor laundry room that was tacked on the house behind the kitchen. This allowed for the addition of the sunroom opening out to the backyard.
Decorations for the holidays include traditional Christmas-past of Kyle’s childhood, including many old toys as well as Jewish-past décor from Larry’s childhood.This home sponsored by Renewal Construction
