Within Macedonia Park, the Bagley family became prominent figures, and William Bagley became the unofficial mayor of the neighborhood. His leadership and influence were instrumental in shaping the community, and as a result, Macedonia Park came to be known as Bagley Park, a testament to Bagley’s impact and the respect he garnered from fellow residents. 

Bagley Park thrived as a close-knit and vibrant working-class Black neighborhood in the heart of Buckhead. Its residents built a strong sense of community, supporting one another and creating a nurturing environment for families to grow and prosper. 

However, the landscape of Bagley Park would undergo a significant transformation in 1945. That year, Fulton County initiated a demolition project aimed at repurposing the area into a park that would primarily serve the surrounding predominantly white neighborhoods. This marked a turning point in the history of Bagley Park and the Black presence in Buckhead, as the neighborhood’s physical existence was forever altered. 

Today, the legacy of Bagley Park lives on through preservation and storytelling efforts, such as Atlanta History Center’s pop-up exhibition “Explore Bagley Park.” 

Curated from the personal collection of William Bagley’s granddaughter, Elon Butts Osby, and Atlanta History Center’s collections, “Explore Bagley Park” will display the rich heritage of Bagley Park, William Bagley, and its enduring impact on Buckhead.