News Details (Posted: February 14, 2008):

A Brief History of Tucker

Full Description:

Tucker is a census-designated place in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The population was 26,532 at the 2000 census. Although central Tucker, also known as "Main Street Tucker", is laid out as a planned "railroad town," it has never been formally incorporated. Municipal services such as fire, police, water, and schools are provided by DeKalb County. If incorporated, Tucker would be the largest city in the county (excluding Atlanta which is mostly in Fulton County). An exploratory committee formed by the Tucker Civic Association is currently exploring the possibilities of incorporating Tucker as a new city.

The community has maintained a distinctive identity, centered on its public high school, churches, and locally owned and operated businesses such as the Cofer Brothers building supply business, Matthews' Cafeteria, and the Tucker Federal savings and loan association (although the latter institution was merged into RBC Centura). It also has been designated with its own ZIP code of 30084.

In 2005, the Atlanta Regional Commission Atlanta regional commission issued Tucker a grant to develop a Livable Cities Initiative (LCI). The LCI study, published in December 2005, will look to reestablish Main Street in Tucker as a central point for the greater Tucker community. The study will help create a more pedestrian-friendly and interconnected town center by encouraging walking and other modes of transportation to and around the commercial core. Similarly in August 2004, the Tucker Civic Association created a Neighborhood Strategic Plan to assist in the development of the neighborhood.

History

The community that became known as Tucker started around Brownings Courthouse. The courthouse building originally stood near the intersection of Pleasantdale and La Vista Roads. It was named for a leading Southern Baptist, Henry Holcombe Tucker. The presiding officer was a Justice of the Peace, and the court heard small claims cases up until the building was moved. The courthouse building was moved to a location in front of the Tucker Recreation Center (Formerly Tucker Elementary) in the late 1980's. Tucker grew as a railroad stop along the Seaboard Coastline Railroad, which delivered freight to Cofer Brothers Building Supply and later to a DuPont Paint Factory, now closed. Tucker centered around businesses started or owned by Kelley Cofer and his brother Reid Cofer. The original store was a general store that later grew into a building supply and hardware store. To support the growing building supply business, the Cofer brothers bought the town bank. Today the community holds its annual Tucker Day Parade celebrating Tucker's founding. Many groups parade down mainstreet including schools, churches, police department, Fire Department and even clowns. Antique automobiles and their private collectors also participate in the parade. The parade is then followed by a street festival with many companies setting up booths along Main street.

Tucker is located 15 miles North East of downtown Atlanta.