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date: 
source: 2026-03-31_Work_Session_Meeting/Staff_Report_for_Lee_Street_Renaming;_03-31-26_(PDF_Version)
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 STAFF REPORT: PROPOSED STREET
NAME CHANGE – NORTH LEE STREET
AND SOUTH LEE STREET TO MARTIN
 LUTHER KING, JR. WAY




 Community Development Department
 Planning & Zoning Division
Contents
  Request..................................................................................................................... 2
  Location ................................................................................................................... 2
  Purpose of Historical Research ................................................................................... 6
     Common Sources of Street Names ........................................................................... 7
     Researching the Origin of Street Names .................................................................. 7
  Historical Context ..................................................................................................... 8
  Early Development of Stockbridge.............................................................................. 8
  Early Cartographic References to Stockbridge .......................................................... 10
  Early Lee Family References in Henry County .......................................................... 13
  Census Documentation (1880–1950) .......................................................................... 14
  Documented Existence of Lee Street (1918) ............................................................... 16
  Early Development Along Lee Street ......................................................................... 18
  Mayoral History ...................................................................................................... 20
  Municipal Records and Mapping .............................................................................. 21
  Later Documentation of Lee Street ........................................................................... 24
  Summary of Findings .............................................................................................. 28
  Analysis .................................................................................................................. 29
  Proposed Action ...................................................................................................... 30
  Staff Recommendation............................................................................................. 31
  Historical Timeline .................................................................................................. 32
  Historical Timeline (cont.) ........................................................................................ 33
  Historical Timeline (cont.) ........................................................................................ 34




Page 1 of 34
Request

The City Council is requested to consider adoption of a resolution to rename North Lee Street and
South Lee Street to Martin Luther King, Jr. Way.

The proposed name change is intended to recognize and honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr., whose leadership during the Civil Rights Movement had a profound and lasting impact
on communities throughout the United States and the State of Georgia. Designation of a roadway
in his honor represents a commemorative action consistent with practices adopted by many
municipalities to acknowledge individuals of national and historical significance.

The subject corridor is located within the historic downtown area of the City of Stockbridge and
serves as an important local street providing connectivity between residential neighborhoods,
commercial properties, and key civic destinations. As a continuous north-south route, the corridor
functions as part of the City’s established street network and contributes to both local access and
community identity.

Due to community discussion and varying perspectives regarding the origin and historical
significance of the existing street name, the City initiated additional research to better understand
the background of Lee Street. This effort was intended to provide an objective, fact-based
foundation to inform the City Council’s consideration of the proposed renaming.

Accordingly, this report compiles and evaluates available historical documentation, including
newspaper archives, property records, census data, and municipal history, to identify the earliest
known references to Lee Street and assess its likely origin. The findings are presented to assist the
City Council in making an informed policy decision that considers both historical context and
community values.

Location

North Lee Street and South Lee Street are located within the historic downtown area of the City
of Stockbridge and run generally north–south through the community, forming a continuous local
corridor.

As illustrated in the map below, the corridor extends across North Henry Boulevard (U.S. Highway
23), which serves as a major regional transportation route connecting Stockbridge to the broader
Atlanta metropolitan area. This intersection represents a key node within the city, linking local
circulation routes with a principal arterial roadway.

The Lee Street corridor lies within an area that historically developed during the late nineteenth
and early twentieth centuries, following the expansion of rail transportation and associated
commercial activity in Henry County. Development patterns in this area were heavily influenced
by proximity to transportation infrastructure, with streets such as Lee Street serving as connectors
between residential areas, local businesses, and civic destinations.



Page 2 of 34
As shown in the aerial imagery, Lee Street functions as a key connector across North Henry
Boulevard (U.S. Highway 23), which is a major regional arterial linking Stockbridge to the Atlanta
metropolitan area. The corridor provides direct access to several important civic and community
destinations, including:

   •   Stockbridge City Hall
   •   Stockbridge Amphitheater
   •   First Baptist Church of Stockbridge
   •   Stockbridge Elementary School
   •   Patrick Henry educational facilities

This concentration of civic, institutional, and community-serving uses highlights the corridor’s
role as a central spine within the historic downtown area.

Notably, historical records indicate that the first building associated with First Baptist Church of
Stockbridge was dedicated in 1920 and was located across Lee Street, further confirming that the
roadway was already established and recognized within the community by the early twentieth
century. This provides additional historical context demonstrating that Lee Street functioned as a
defined and important corridor during the period of early civic and institutional development in
Stockbridge.

South of North Henry Boulevard, the corridor transitions into a mix of residential and quasi-
institutional development patterns, including multifamily housing and neighborhood-scale streets.
North of the corridor, development reflects earlier residential patterns and smaller-scale land
divisions typical of early town growth.

A particularly significant property along the corridor is located at 108 South Lee Street, currently
operating as Pinehurst Catering & Events Facility. Based on available tax assessor data, this
structure dates to approximately circa 1900, making it one of the earliest documented developed
properties along Lee Street.

The presence of this structure is important from both a historical and planning perspective:

   •   It demonstrates that development was already occurring along Lee Street by the turn of the
 twentieth century;
   •   It reinforces that the roadway was functioning as an established access route prior to
 modern subdivision and zoning practices; and
   •   It reflects a traditional development pattern, where structures were constructed along
 existing roadways that served as primary corridors for movement and access.

The surrounding parcel configuration further supports this pattern, with properties fronting directly
onto Lee Street and exhibiting irregular lot shapes consistent with early land division practices
rather than later planned subdivisions.

Because of its location within the historic core of the city, Lee Street has long been an integral
component of Stockbridge’s transportation network and community identity. The corridor reflects

Page 3 of 34
the City’s early development pattern, linking historic residential areas, civic institutions, and later
commercial growth along North Henry Boulevard.

Taken together, the physical layout, surrounding land uses, and presence of early structures such
as 108 South Lee Street, along with documented institutional development such as the 1920 church
site, provide strong evidence that Lee Street developed organically as part of the City’s initial
growth framework and has remained a continuous and significant corridor within the community
over time.




Page 4 of 34
Page 5 of 34
Purpose of Historical Research

During discussions regarding the proposed renaming of North Lee Street and South Lee Street,
members of the community expressed differing perspectives regarding the origin and historical
significance of the name “Lee Street.” These differing viewpoints prompted the need for additional
research to ensure that the City Council’s consideration of the proposed name change is informed
by accurate and objective historical context.

Two primary interpretations have been suggested:

   1. The street may have been named for Robert E. Lee, the Confederate military leader,
 reflecting a broader historical pattern in which streets and public spaces across the southern
 United States were named after prominent figures associated with the Civil War era.
   2. The street may have been named for R. E. Lee, a local civic leader who served as mayor
 of the City of Stockbridge during the mid-twentieth century and who is associated with
 infrastructure improvements and municipal development within the community.

In addition to these interpretations, preliminary findings suggested the possibility that the name
could also be associated with local Lee family land ownership, which was common in early town
development patterns where streets were informally named after adjacent property owners or
prominent local families.

Because of these differing interpretations—and the potential historical, cultural, and community
implications associated with each—staff conducted a focused historical investigation to identify
the earliest documented reference to Lee Street and to better understand its likely origin.

This research effort included a review of multiple historical sources, including:

   •   Archived issues of The Henry County Weekly and other historical newspapers;
   •   Property records, tax assessor data, and deed references;
   •   Census records and draft registration documents identifying local residents;
   •   Municipal records, including City Council minutes and infrastructure-related
 documentation; and
   •   Historical maps and aerial imagery, where available.

The primary objective of this research was to establish a reliable historical timeline for the
existence of Lee Street and to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to attribute the street
name to a specific individual or historical figure.

This analysis is intended to provide the City Council with a fact-based foundation for decision-
making by distinguishing between documented historical evidence and community interpretation.
The findings do not advocate for a particular outcome but instead clarify the historical context to
support an informed and transparent policy decision regarding the proposed street renaming.




Page 6 of 34
Genealogy of Street Naming

Street names often function as a form of “genealogy” for a community, reflecting its historical
development, land ownership patterns, geography, and cultural influences. In many cases, street
names provide insight into the individuals, features, and activities that shaped a town’s early
growth and identity.

Historically, particularly in small towns and rural communities, street naming was not always the
result of formal governmental action. Instead, names frequently emerged organically based on
local usage and recognition. As communities expanded, these informal names were often adopted
into official records, maps, and legal descriptions.

Common Sources of Street Names

Street names are typically derived from several widely recognized sources:

 •   Individuals and Community Leaders: Streets may be named after local landowners,
 prominent families, civic leaders, or nationally recognized figures (e.g., Washington,
 Lincoln).
 •   Geographical Features: Names often reflect natural features such as topography,
 waterways, or landscape characteristics (e.g., Hill Street, River Road, Water Street).
 •   Trades and Occupations: Some street names originate from historical economic
 activities or trades associated with the area (e.g., Dyer, Vintner, or similar occupational
 references).
 •   Developers and Subdivision Planning: In more formally planned developments,
 particularly during the twentieth century, developers often proposed street names
 during the subdivision and platting process.
 •   Vegetation and Natural Elements: Residential areas frequently include names based
 on trees, plants, or natural features (e.g., Oak, Elm, Pine).
 •   Historical and Cultural References: Certain street names reflect historic structures,
 institutions, or cultural landmarks (e.g., Church Street, Mill Road), preserving elements
 of local heritage.

Researching the Origin of Street Names

Determining the origin of a street name typically requires a multi-source research approach.
Common resources include:

   •   Local Historical Archives: Libraries, historical societies, and newspaper archives provide
 valuable contextual information.
   •   Historic Maps and Atlases: Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps and early municipal or county
 maps can help establish when a street first appeared.
   •   City Directories and Land Records: These sources can identify early landowners and
 development patterns associated with a street.
   •   Government and Official Records: Tax assessor data, deed records, and municipal
 documents often provide evidence of land ownership and street references.

Page 7 of 34
   •   Supplemental Records: Additional sources, such as cemetery records or genealogical
 data, may provide supporting context regarding individuals associated with a location.

Historical Context
Early Development of Stockbridge

The origins of the community now known as Stockbridge date to the early nineteenth century. In
1826, a small group of settlers established one of the area’s first organized institutions, Concord
Methodist Church, which became the nucleus of early settlement in northern Henry County.
Among the founding members of the congregation were P. Z. Ward, Thomas A. Ward, James W.
Wilkerson, D. L. Coleman, and James Coker. The church was located near the present-day
intersection of East Atlanta Road and Stagecoach Road and served as a focal point for community
life in the surrounding rural area.

Over time, a small village developed around the church. Early residents constructed modest log
cabins and homesteads, including pioneers such as Sam Skelton, Lewis Coleman, Mrs. Harriet
Brannan, and John Friddle. Recognizing the potential for growth in the area, J. T. Bond purchased
approximately forty acres of nearby land and established several essential services for the
developing settlement, including a general store, shoe shop, and post office. As the community
expanded, the village also welcomed its first medical practitioners, Dr. Hightower and Dr.
Hambrick, who provided much-needed healthcare to residents.

During the Civil War, Henry County and the surrounding region experienced military activity due
to its strategic location along key transportation routes. In late October 1864, the Kentucky
“Orphan Brigade,” a Confederate unit led by former Vice President John C. Breckinridge,
established its headquarters in Stockbridge while scouting roads southeast of Atlanta. At the time,
Stockbridge served as an important crossroads along the main road from Atlanta to Macon, now
known as U.S. Highway 23, with additional roads connecting the community to nearby settlements
such as Buckhead and Decatur.

Following the Civil War, development in the area remained relatively limited until the 1880s. A
significant turning point occurred in 1881 when representatives of the Southern Railroad Company
explored the possibility of constructing a rail line through the village. Negotiations with local
landowners were initially unsuccessful; however, later that year John W. Grant and George W.
Adair acquired land located approximately one to two miles south of the original village site and
facilitated the construction of the railroad.

The arrival of the railroad dramatically reshaped the community. Because the original village
location was no longer practical in relation to the new rail alignment, residents began relocating
closer to the new train station. Construction activity accelerated, and by 1882 the first houses
within what would become the city center were constructed, including homes built by J. T. Bond
and W. W. Ward. The railroad quickly stimulated economic activity and encouraged further
development of homes, businesses, and civic institutions.




Page 8 of 34
By the late nineteenth century, Stockbridge had begun to emerge as a small but active commercial
center within Henry County. In 1890, the Harmony Masonic Lodge relocated to the growing town,
reflecting the increasing importance of the community as a gathering place for civic and social
organizations.

The community of Stockbridge continued to develop during the nineteenth century as part of the
agricultural and transportation network of Henry County. The expansion of railroad infrastructure
and regional commerce contributed to the gradual development of a town center. Stockbridge was
officially incorporated as a town in 1895 and later incorporated as a city on August 6, 1920.

During this early period of development, streets were often established as settlement expanded
around privately owned land parcels. Street names were commonly derived from local landowners,
prominent families, geographic features, or early civic leaders associated with the area. Because
many early municipal records and maps were not preserved, it is not uncommon for the precise
origin of street names in small communities to remain uncertain.

By the time of its incorporation as a city in 1920, Stockbridge had grown into a modest but thriving
community. Contemporary accounts describe a town of approximately 400 residents with five
churches, two schools, a bank, a telephone exchange, a steam ginnery, several retail stores, an
electric light plant, two cotton warehouses, a hotel, a lumber yard, two garages, and a substantial
brick school building with an auditorium and multiple classrooms. The town was served by two
physicians, a lawyer, and a local police officer, reflecting the emergence of essential civic and
professional services.

By the early twentieth century, available census data further illustrates the scale and character of
Stockbridge’s development. The Town of Stockbridge does not appear as a separately listed
municipality in the 1910 U.S. Census, indicating that it had not yet been formally recognized as
an incorporated town at that time. However, by 1920, the town is recorded with a population of
approximately 386 residents, and by 1930, the population had modestly increased to approximately
392 residents, as documented within Henry County’s District 775. This limited population growth
over the decade reflects a small but stable community that had transitioned from its rural origins
into an incorporated municipality. The relatively modest size of the town suggests a close-knit,
locally oriented community, where development patterns and street naming practices were likely
influenced by local landowners, civic leaders, and longstanding families rather than formalized
planning processes.

Additional historical mapping further illustrates the gradual growth of Stockbridge during the early
twentieth century. A 1939 Henry County highway planning map, prepared by the Georgia Division
of Highway Planning, identifies Stockbridge with a reported population of approximately 443
residents. This increase from the 1920 and 1930 census figures reflects steady but modest growth
during this period. The map also depicts the town’s development pattern centered around key
transportation routes, reinforcing the importance of roadway and rail infrastructure in shaping the
community’s layout. The relatively compact footprint shown on the map further supports the
characterization of Stockbridge as a small, close-knit town where development occurred
incrementally around existing roads and locally owned land.


Page 9 of 34
Together, these developments illustrate how Stockbridge evolved from a small rural settlement
centered around a church into a growing municipal community and commercial hub within Henry
County.

Early Cartographic References to Stockbridge

Historical maps provide important contextual evidence of the early presence and development of
the Stockbridge community within Henry County during the nineteenth century and help illustrate
the foundational conditions under which its street network later emerged.

One of the earliest known cartographic references appears in Johnson’s Georgia and Alabama
Map (1863), created by Alvin Jewett Johnson and published by Johnson and Ward in New York.
This map identifies Stockbridge as a recognized settlement within Henry County during the mid-
nineteenth century, indicating that the community had already achieved a level of regional
significance prior to the Civil War.

Additional cartographic documentation appears in the map titled “Southern Georgia and Part of
South Carolina” (1865), prepared by Adolph Lindenkohl and published by the United States
Government Printing Office. This map also depicts Stockbridge and illustrates its geographic
position in relation to early transportation routes connecting nearby communities such as Atlanta,
Jonesboro, Fayetteville, and McDonough.

From a planning and historical geography perspective, the inclusion of Stockbridge on these maps
is significant. Nineteenth-century maps typically identified locations that functioned as established
settlements, crossroads, or nodes of economic and transportation activity. The presence of
Stockbridge on both the 1863 and 1865 maps indicates that the community was already functioning
as a recognized rural center within the regional network of roads and agricultural landholdings.

These maps also provide insight into early transportation patterns that influenced the development
of the town. During this period, roadways were not formally planned or engineered in the modern
sense, but instead evolved organically based on travel routes between farms, mills, churches, and
neighboring towns. As a result, early roads often followed property lines, natural topography, and
existing paths of movement, forming the basis for later street alignments.

This pattern of organic development is particularly relevant when considering the origin of streets
such as Lee Street. In small nineteenth-century communities, streets were frequently established
along existing travel routes or property boundaries and were often named informally based on
nearby landowners, prominent families, or recognizable landmarks. Over time, these informal
routes became fixed as part of the town’s permanent street network.

The cartographic evidence therefore demonstrates that the spatial framework necessary for street
development—including travel corridors, land division, and settlement clustering—was already in
place decades before Lee Street appears in documented legal records in 1918. This reinforces the
conclusion that Lee Street likely originated during this earlier period of gradual community
formation rather than as part of a later, formally documented naming action.


Page 10 of 34
Additionally, the maps highlight Stockbridge’s role as a connecting point between larger regional
destinations, particularly along routes leading toward Atlanta and Macon. This positioning would
have increased the importance of local roads and corridors within the town, further supporting the
early establishment of streets that facilitated movement, access, and property development.

Taken together, these cartographic sources provide critical historical context for understanding the
early development of Stockbridge and the evolution of its street network. They illustrate that the
community’s physical and transportation framework was established well before formal
incorporation and support the broader conclusion that street naming and alignment, including Lee
Street, likely developed organically as part of the town’s early growth pattern.




Figure 1: Johnson’s Georgia and Alabama Map (1863) showing the location of Stockbridge within Henry County. Map by
Alvin J. Johnson, published by Johnson and Ward, New York.


Page 11 of 34
Figure 2: Southern Georgia and Part of South Carolina,” 1865. Map by Adolph Lindenkohl, published by the United States
Government Printing Office. The map identifies Stockbridge within Henry County and illustrates early transportation
routes connecting the community with Atlanta and surrounding towns




Page 12 of 34
Early Lee Family References in Henry County

One of the earliest documented references to the Lee family in the region appears in The Henry
County Weekly dated February 21, 1879. A public notice published in the newspaper referenced
the proposed sale of property belonging to the estate of Samuel Lee, which included a mill property
commonly referred to as Lee’s Mill. The property was located within the original 12th Land
District of Henry County.

The notice stated in part:

“Application will be made to the Court of Ordinary of Henry County for leave to sell certain mill
property… belonging to the estate of Samuel Lee.”

From a historical and economic perspective, this reference is significant. Mill properties during
the nineteenth century were typically located along key transportation routes and waterways and
served as important centers of local commerce and agricultural processing. Ownership of such a
facility suggests that members of the Lee family were not only landowners, but also active
participants in the local economy and community structure.

The identification of Lee’s Mill within the 12th Land District further indicates that the Lee family
held land within the broader geographic area that would later influence the development of nearby
settlements, including the Town of Stockbridge. During this period, land districts formed the
foundational framework for property ownership, settlement patterns, and the eventual
establishment of roads and community infrastructure.

Although this record does not directly reference Lee Street, it establishes the presence of the Lee
surname in Henry County several decades prior to the documented existence of Lee Street in 1918.
This temporal gap is important, as it demonstrates that the Lee family was already associated with
land ownership and economic activity in the region during the formative years of community
development.

In early rural communities, it was common for roads, landmarks, and emerging corridors to be
informally named after nearby landowners, prominent families, or recognizable local features such
as mills, churches, or stores. The presence of a property known as Lee’s Mill suggests that the Lee
name was already geographically associated with a specific location, which could have influenced
later naming conventions as the area developed.

Additionally, the reference to an estate sale indicates that the Lee family’s landholdings were of
sufficient size or value to require formal probate proceedings, further reinforcing their role as
established landowners within the county. Such properties were often subdivided, transferred, or
inherited over time, contributing to the gradual formation of roads and parcels that defined early
town layouts.

Taken together, this record provides important contextual evidence that the Lee family was present
in Henry County well before the early twentieth century and was engaged in land ownership and
economic activity. While not conclusive on its own, this early reference supports the broader

Page 13 of 34
pattern observed in later records, suggesting that the name “Lee” was locally established and
associated with land and development in the region prior to the formal recognition of Lee Street.




Figure 3: Public notice published in The Henry County Weekly on February 21, 1879 referencing the proposed sale of Lee’s
Mill property belonging to the estate of Samuel Lee in the 12th Land District of Henry County.


Census Documentation (1880–1950)

Federal census records provide critical primary source documentation confirming the long-term
and continuous presence of individuals bearing the Lee surname within Henry County and the
Stockbridge area from the late nineteenth century through the mid-twentieth century. These
records offer detailed information regarding household composition, occupation, and residency,
and are widely regarded as reliable historical sources due to their standardized, government-
administered data collection.

The 1880 United States Federal Census provides one of the earliest documented references to the
Lee family in the area. The record identifies Samuel Lee as head of household, with Robert E. Lee
listed as a child residing within the household. This establishes the presence of the Lee family in
Henry County during the late nineteenth century and confirms that Robert E. Lee was raised in the
local area.
Page 14 of 34
By the time of the 1910 United States Federal Census, Robert E. Lee is documented as an
independent adult resident within Henry County. This transition from a dependent household
member to an established adult resident reflects continuity of presence within the community and
suggests long-term ties to the area. The 1910 census further confirms that the Lee family remained
in the region during a period of early town development and prior to the formal documentation of
Lee Street.

The 1920 United States Federal Census, conducted in the same year that Stockbridge was
incorporated as a city, again records Robert E. Lee as a resident of the area. This record situates
the Lee family within the community at a pivotal moment in its municipal development and
reinforces their continued presence during a period of population growth and infrastructure
expansion.

The 1930 United States Federal Census continues to document Robert E. Lee as a resident of the
Stockbridge area, reflecting a sustained presence into later adulthood. By this time, his long-term
residency indicates that he was an established and recognized member of the community during a
period of continued development and stabilization within the city.

Further extending this timeline, the 1950 United States Federal Census confirms that Robert E.
Lee remained a resident of Stockbridge into the mid-twentieth century. This record represents the
culmination of a documented residency spanning approximately seventy years, from childhood
through later adulthood.

When viewed collectively, these census records establish a continuous and uninterrupted timeline
of residency:

   •   1880 – Robert E. Lee resides in the Samuel Lee household (youth)
   •   1910 – Robert E. Lee is documented as an adult resident in Henry County
   •   1920 – Robert E. Lee remains a resident at the time of city incorporation
   •   1930 – Robert E. Lee continues residence in the Stockbridge area
   •   1950 – Robert E. Lee remains a resident of the community

This sequence of federal records provides compelling evidence that the Lee family maintained a
long-standing and continuous presence within the Stockbridge area across multiple decades. The
duration and consistency of this residency demonstrate that the Lee family was deeply rooted in
the local community during key periods of land development, infrastructure expansion, and the
establishment of the city’s street network.

From a historical and planning perspective, this continuity is significant. Long-term residency and
generational land association are commonly observed factors in early street naming practices,
particularly in small towns where roads were often informally identified by reference to nearby
landowners or prominent local families.

Accordingly, the census documentation supports the broader pattern observed in land records and
legal notices, reinforcing the conclusion that the Lee surname was firmly established within the
local area prior to the documented existence of Lee Street in 1918.

Page 15 of 34
Documented Existence of Lee Street (1918)

The earliest confirmed reference to Lee Street within the Town of Stockbridge appears in a series
of legal notices published in 1918. A notice titled “Executors’ Sale” was filed on October 9, 1918
and subsequently published in The Henry County Weekly on the following dates:

   •   October 11, 1918
   •   October 25, 1918
   •   November 8, 1918

The notice described the sale of property located within the Town of Stockbridge and provided the
following legal description:

“…one house and lot in the town of Stockbridge… bounded north by lot of J. T. Mays, east by
Thurman Askew, south by Mrs. Sallie Lee lot, west by Lee Street.”

The notice also referenced additional property described as being bounded in part by land owned
by M. P. Lee, indicating that members of the Lee family owned property in the immediate vicinity
of the street.

Genealogical and historical records reviewed as part of this study indicate that M. P. Lee refers to
Martin Parks Lee (1874–1939), a documented resident of Henry County and a member of the Lee
family associated with Samuel James Lee and Sarah Ann Williams Lee. Census records and family
documentation confirm that Martin Parks Lee was part of a multi-generational family with
established roots in the Stockbridge area during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

From a historical and land use perspective, the use of Lee Street as a boundary descriptor in a
formal legal notice is significant. During the early twentieth century, legal property descriptions
relied on widely recognized and established physical features—such as roads, property lines, and
adjacent landowners—to define parcel boundaries. The inclusion of Lee Street in this context
indicates that the roadway was not only in existence, but sufficiently established and commonly
understood within the community to serve as a reliable point of reference in legal transactions.

Furthermore, the repeated publication of the notice over multiple weeks reinforces the legitimacy
and consistency of the description. The absence of clarification or correction in subsequent
publications suggests that the referenced street name was well known and unambiguous to both
local residents and legal authorities at the time.

The notice also provides important insight into the spatial relationship between Lee Street and
surrounding land ownership. The direct reference to adjacent parcels owned by Mrs. Sallie Lee
and Martin Parks Lee (M. P. Lee) indicates that members of the Lee family held property
immediately adjoining or near the roadway. This proximity is notable, as it reflects a pattern
commonly observed in early town development, where streets were often informally named after
nearby landowners or families whose property defined the corridor.



Page 16 of 34
The identification of Martin Parks Lee as a neighboring landowner strengthens the documented
connection between the Lee family and the physical corridor of Lee Street. Rather than
representing a symbolic or commemorative naming, the available evidence demonstrates a direct
geographic relationship between the Lee family’s landholdings and the roadway itself.

The combination of these factors confirms several key historical findings:

   1. Lee Street was an established and recognized roadway within the Town of Stockbridge by
 October 1918.
   2. The street name was sufficiently known to be used as a legal boundary reference in formal
 property transactions.
   3. Members of the Lee family, including Mrs. Sallie Lee and Martin Parks Lee, owned land
 directly adjacent to or in close proximity to the street during this time period.
   4. The street’s existence and naming likely predate 1918, as it would have required time to
 become commonly recognized within the community.

Taken together, this evidence strongly suggests that Lee Street originated during the late nineteenth
or early twentieth century as part of the town’s early development pattern. This period coincides
with the expansion of Stockbridge following the arrival of the railroad and the gradual transition
from a rural crossroads settlement to a more defined town center with organized streets and
property boundaries.

From a planning and historical context, the documentation supports the conclusion that Lee Street
was not the result of a later commemorative naming action, but rather emerged organically as part
of the community’s growth, likely influenced by adjacent land ownership and early settlement
patterns associated with the Lee family.




Page 17 of 34
Figure 4: 1918 property notice from The Henry County Weekly referencing a property boundary along Lee Street in the Town
of Stockbridge. This record confirms the documented existence of Lee Street in the community by October 1918.

Early Development Along Lee Street

Property records provide additional evidence of early development patterns along Lee Street and
further contextualize the street’s historical origin. According to Henry County tax assessor and
parcel data, a structure located at 108 South Lee Street was constructed circa 1900. The property,
currently operating as Pinehurst Catering and Events Facility, is situated directly along the Lee
Street corridor and occupies approximately 3.03 acres, indicating a relatively substantial
landholding for the time period.

The existence of a developed structure at this location by 1900 suggests that Lee Street was already
functioning as an established corridor by the turn of the twentieth century. In small, early railroad
communities such as Stockbridge, residential and agricultural structures were typically constructed
along existing access routes rather than in isolation, indicating that the roadway likely predated or
developed concurrently with the structure.

Historical deed and ownership records associated with this property further reinforce the presence
of the Lee family in the immediate vicinity. Recorded transactions reference individuals bearing
the Lee surname, including William Jackson Lee, as well as estate-related transfers involving Lee
family members.

Page 18 of 34
Additional documentation further confirms the presence of William Jackson Lee in the community
during the mid-twentieth century. A World War II draft registration record dated October 16, 1940
identifies him as a resident of Stockbridge, Henry County, Georgia, at age 31, with a birth date of
April 10, 1909. This record demonstrates that members of the Lee family continued to reside in
the area well after the initial establishment of Lee Street, reinforcing a pattern of long-term
community presence.

Property records from 1960 further reference ownership associated with “Lee W. J. Mrs.”, which
corresponds to the wife of William Jackson Lee. This designation reflects a common historical
naming convention in which married women were identified in legal and property records by their
husband’s name. The alignment between the draft registration record and property ownership
documentation confirms continuity between residency and landholding associated with his
household.

Subsequent deed records, including conveyances recorded in 1995 referencing earlier ownership
lineage, indicate a continuity of land ownership tied to the Lee family over time. This pattern of
sustained ownership is consistent with historical landholding practices in rural and small-town
Georgia, where family-owned tracts were often retained, subdivided, or transferred through estates
over extended periods.

The spatial relationship of this property to Lee Street is particularly significant. The parcel fronts
directly onto South Lee Street and is located within the same general area described in the 1918
legal notices referencing adjacent Lee family land ownership, including properties associated with
Sallie Lee and Martin Parks Lee. This geographic alignment strengthens the likelihood that Lee
Street derived its name from local landowners rather than from a later municipal naming decision.

When considered alongside the 1918 Executors’ Sale notice, which references Lee Street as an
established boundary, the presence of a circa 1900 structure on land associated with the Lee family
provides both physical and documentary evidence of early settlement and land use patterns along
the corridor.

From a planning and historical development perspective, this pattern is consistent with common
street-naming conventions in late nineteenth and early twentieth century communities, where
roadways were frequently named after prominent or adjacent landowners whose properties defined
the corridor.

Taken together, the existence of early development along Lee Street, the documented presence of
Lee family land ownership, and the formal recognition of the street in early twentieth-century legal
records collectively support the conclusion that Lee Street originated as part of the town’s early
growth pattern and was likely associated with local land ownership rather than a later
commemorative naming.




Page 19 of 34
Mayoral History

Historical records indicate that Joseph Mann served as mayor of the City of Stockbridge from 1925
to 1926, during a period of early municipal growth following the city’s incorporation in 1920.

Community members have suggested that Lee Street may have been named in honor of R. E. Lee,
who served as mayor during the late 1940s and early 1950s. Available historical records, including
City Council meeting minutes and newspaper accounts from the period, confirm that R. E. Lee
held a leadership role within the municipal government and was an active and respected figure
within the local community.

In addition to his service as mayor, R. E. Lee was a long-time resident of Stockbridge and was
associated with the Southern Railway System, where he worked for several decades prior to his
retirement. His professional career, combined with his civic involvement, positioned him as a well-
known and influential member of the community. He was also affiliated with local civic and
fraternal organizations, including Masonic and community service groups, which were common
centers of leadership and social organization in small towns during the mid-twentieth century.

R. E. Lee’s son, William Jackson “Dub” Lee (1909–1965), continued the family’s civic
involvement and leadership within the City. Historical records indicate that William Jackson Lee
was elected to the Stockbridge City Council in 1958 and later served as mayor during the early
1960s. Like his father, he was employed by the Southern Railway System and was actively
involved in the First Baptist Church of Stockbridge and the Stockbridge Masonic Lodge.

During this period of leadership spanning two generations, the City undertook several important
infrastructure improvements that contributed to the modernization of the community. One of the
most notable areas of advancement was the expansion of electric service within the city. Earlier
council records from the 1920s and 1930s reflect ongoing challenges related to local electric
generation and distribution, including maintenance of the municipal light plant and extension of
service to residents. By the mid-twentieth century, efforts to improve and expand electric service
helped transition the community toward more reliable and widespread access, supporting both
residential growth and emerging commercial activity.

In addition, the City undertook improvements to road paving and transportation infrastructure,
which were critical during a time when many small municipalities were transitioning from unpaved
or minimally maintained roadways to more durable, all-weather surfaces. These improvements
enhanced internal circulation within the city and strengthened connections to regional corridors,
including U.S. Highway 23 (North Henry Boulevard), which served as a key route linking
Stockbridge to Atlanta and surrounding communities.

Mayor R. E. Lee’s tenure, along with the continued leadership of William Jackson “Dub” Lee, is
also associated with the development and expansion of the municipal water system, representing
a significant milestone in the City’s evolution from a rural settlement to a more fully serviced
municipality. Council records from the late 1940s reference discussions related to waterworks
infrastructure and financing mechanisms, including efforts to secure funding through water
revenue certificates. The expansion of the water system improved public health conditions,

Page 20 of 34
enhanced fire protection capabilities, and supported more consistent residential and commercial
development.

Collectively, these improvements reflect a broader period of post-World War II municipal
investment in essential infrastructure systems. During this time, many small cities across Georgia
were focused on modernizing utilities, improving transportation networks, and expanding public
services to accommodate population growth and economic stability.

While these contributions represent an important chapter in the development of Stockbridge, the
available historical record indicates that Lee Street was already established prior to Mayor R. E.
Lee’s tenure. Legal notices published in The Henry County Weekly in 1918 clearly reference Lee
Street as an existing roadway within the Town of Stockbridge.

This documented evidence places the existence of Lee Street at least several decades before the
public service of both R. E. Lee and William Jackson “Dub” Lee. As such, from a historical and
chronological standpoint, it is unlikely that the street was originally named in recognition of either
individual.

Additionally, early municipal records suggest that formal street naming processes were not
consistently documented during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. As a result, many
street names within the city likely developed organically based on land ownership patterns, local
families, or commonly recognized geographic identifiers, rather than through formal legislative
action.

Taken together, while R. E. Lee and William Jackson “Dub” Lee played significant roles in
advancing infrastructure and modernizing the City of Stockbridge during the mid-twentieth
century, the available evidence indicates that Lee Street predates their tenure and was likely
established during an earlier phase of the community’s development.

Municipal Records and Mapping

City Council minutes dated February 3, 1948 provide additional historical insight into the
development of municipal recordkeeping within the City of Stockbridge. During this meeting, the
Council discussed the absence of an official municipal map, and the minutes indicate that the City
Clerk was instructed to contact the United States Census Bureau to advise that the City did not
currently have a map but would provide one once available.

From a planning and administrative perspective, this record is significant. The absence of a
municipal map as late as 1948 suggests that the City’s early physical layout—including streets,
parcels, and development patterns—had not yet been formally documented through standardized
mapping practices. In many small municipalities during the early twentieth century, mapping and
recordkeeping evolved gradually and were often secondary to immediate infrastructure and service
needs.

As a result, early street alignments and names were frequently established through informal or
customary use rather than through formally adopted ordinances, plats, or official naming

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resolutions. Streets often emerged along property boundaries, access routes, or paths of travel and
became known by names associated with adjacent landowners, families, or local landmarks. Over
time, these names became widely accepted and were incorporated into legal descriptions, deeds,
and community usage without necessarily being recorded through formal municipal action.

The lack of an official map also has implications for the preservation of historical records. Without
a centralized mapping system or consistent documentation practices, it is less likely that early
decisions regarding street naming were formally recorded or retained. This condition helps explain
why a definitive municipal record identifying the origin of Lee Street has not been located.

This context is particularly important when evaluating the historical origin of Lee Street. The
absence of formal documentation should not be interpreted as evidence that the street lacked a
clear origin, but rather as an indication that its naming likely occurred during a period when
recordkeeping practices were limited or decentralized.

Accordingly, the historical analysis relies on a combination of available sources—including
newspaper publications, property records, cartographic evidence, and council minutes—to
reconstruct the development of the street. This multi-source approach is consistent with standard
practices in historical and planning research when primary municipal documentation is incomplete
or unavailable.

Taken together, the 1948 council minutes provide critical context for understanding why the
specific origin of Lee Street cannot be definitively documented within City records, while also
supporting the broader conclusion that the street likely developed organically as part of the
community’s early growth pattern.




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Figure 5: Minutes from the February 3, 1948 City Council meeting in Stockbridge showing R. E. Lee serving as mayor and
documenting that the City Clerk was instructed to inform the U.S. Census Bureau that the town did not have an official
municipal map.




Page 23 of 34
Later Documentation of Lee Street

Lee Street is further documented in a series of mid- to late-twentieth century planning maps, aerial
imagery, and property-based reference materials, all of which confirm its continued presence,
alignment, and functional role within the City of Stockbridge street network.

One of the earliest such references appears on the 1962 Stockbridge Urban Area Zoning District
Map (see Figure 6). This official planning document depicts Lee Street as part of the established
urban framework of the city. Its inclusion indicates that by the early 1960s, Lee Street was not
only physically present but also formally recognized within the City’s land use and regulatory
structure. Zoning maps serve as foundational planning tools used to guide development patterns,
designate land use districts, and regulate property development. The presence of Lee Street on this
map demonstrates its integration into the City’s planned growth and municipal governance
framework.




 Figure 6: 1962 Stockbridge Urban Area Zoning District Map (Lee Street highlighted)


Page 24 of 34
Additional confirmation is provided through the 1978 Real Estate Atlas of Henry County, which
includes both mapped roadway outlines and aerial imagery identifying Lee Street (see Figures 7
and 8). Real estate atlases are typically compiled using parcel data, ownership records, and
roadway information, and are widely used for property identification, taxation, and land valuation
purposes. The consistent depiction of Lee Street within these materials indicates that the roadway
was well established and recognized across both public planning documents and private-sector
mapping resources by the late twentieth century.




 Figure 7: 1978 Real Estate Atlas of Henry County – Aerial Imagery of Lee Street




Page 25 of 34
 Figure 8: 1978 Real Estate Atlas – Road Outline Map of Lee Street


Page 26 of 34
Further supporting documentation is found in aerial imagery and parcel overlay maps from 2004
(see Figure 9 ), which illustrate the continued development and subdivision of land along Lee
Street. These materials show that the roadway not only retained its original alignment but also
became increasingly integrated into the surrounding residential and commercial fabric. Parcel
overlays provide additional evidence of property ownership patterns and development intensity,
reinforcing the role of Lee Street as a stable and functional component of the local street network.




 Figure 9: 2004 Realty Atlas of Henry County – Aerial Imagery with Parcel Overlay (Lee Street)


From a planning perspective, the appearance of Lee Street across multiple decades of mapping and
documentation is significant because it demonstrates both continuity and permanence within the
City’s infrastructure system. By the mid- to late-twentieth century, Lee Street had transitioned
from an informally established roadway—likely originating from early land use patterns and
property boundaries—to a fixed and recognized component of the municipal transportation
network.

Importantly, these records also indicate that Lee Street has maintained its name, alignment, and
general function over time, with no evidence of renaming or reclassification in the available
historical documentation. This level of consistency suggests that the street name became firmly

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embedded within the community and was consistently used across planning, mapping, and
administrative platforms.

When considered alongside earlier evidence—including 1918 legal notices referencing Lee Street
as a boundary and early twentieth-century property records indicating development along the
corridor—these later documents confirm that Lee Street has functioned as a longstanding and
stable element of the City’s transportation and land use framework.

Taken together, the 1962 zoning map, the 1978 real estate atlas, and the 2004 aerial and parcel
mapping provide clear and consistent verification that Lee Street has been an enduring component
of the City of Stockbridge for decades. These materials reinforce the conclusion that the street
originated during an earlier phase of development and has remained continuously recognized and
utilized within the community.

Summary of Findings

Based on a comprehensive review of available historical documentation, including newspaper
archives, property records, draft registration records, and municipal history, the following findings
are presented:

   •   Lee Street was established in the Town of Stockbridge by at least 1918, as evidenced by
 its appearance in contemporaneous legal notices published in The Henry County Weekly.
 These notices reference Lee Street as a defined boundary within property descriptions,
 indicating that the roadway was already recognized and in use at that time.
   •   The street name is consistently documented in early legal and property-related records,
 demonstrating that Lee Street functioned as an established and identifiable corridor within
 the community during the early twentieth century. The use of the street name in formal
 legal descriptions further confirms its significance within the town’s spatial framework.
   •   Members of the Lee family owned property in the immediate vicinity during this same
 period, including land referenced in early twentieth-century transactions and estate-related
 notices. This proximity establishes a clear geographic connection between the Lee family
 and the corridor along which Lee Street is located.
   •   Additional supporting documentation, including draft registration records and property
 ownership data, confirms the presence of individuals such as William Jackson Lee in
 Stockbridge during the early twentieth century, reinforcing the historical presence of the
 Lee family within the community at or near the time the street was established.
   •   The existence of Lee Street predates the mayoral service of R. E. Lee (late 1940s–early
 1950s) and William Jackson “Dub” Lee (early 1960s), demonstrating that the street name
 was already in use several decades prior to their tenure in public office. This establishes a
 clear chronological distinction between the origin of the street name and later civic
 leadership associated with the Lee family.
   •   During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, it was a common and well-
 documented practice for streets—particularly in small towns and rural communities—to
 be informally named after adjacent landowners, prominent local families, or commonly
 recognized geographic features. In many cases, these names emerged organically over time


Page 28 of 34
 based on local usage rather than through formal governmental action or recorded
 ordinances.
   •   In early communities such as Stockbridge, development patterns typically followed
 existing access routes, with homes, farms, and small commercial uses established along
 roadways that connected key destinations such as rail lines, churches, and town centers. As
 a result, streets often took on the names of the families whose land defined or bordered
 those corridors.
   •   Early municipal mapping, recordkeeping, and formal street-naming procedures were
 limited or inconsistently documented, particularly prior to the mid-twentieth century. As a
 result, no definitive legislative record has been identified that attributes the naming of Lee
 Street to a specific individual or official action.
   •   Taken together, the convergence of early documented use, geographic proximity of Lee
 family land ownership, and common historical naming practices supports the conclusion
 that Lee Street most likely derived its name from local land ownership patterns rather than
 from a later commemorative naming decision.

Analysis

The available historical and documentary evidence indicates that Lee Street most likely originated
during the early development of the Town of Stockbridge, emerging as part of the community’s
organic growth pattern in the late nineteenth or early twentieth century. The consistent appearance
of Lee Street in legal notices by 1918, combined with the documented presence of Lee family land
ownership in the immediate vicinity, supports the conclusion that the street name is closely
associated with local landholding patterns during this formative period.

From a planning and historical development perspective, early communities such as Stockbridge
did not typically follow formalized street naming procedures. Instead, roads and corridors often
developed along property lines, travel routes, and connections between key destinations such as
rail lines, churches, mills, and town centers. As these routes became more established, they were
commonly identified by the names of adjacent landowners, prominent local families, or
recognizable landmarks. This informal naming convention was widely observed throughout rural
Georgia and similar small-town contexts during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

The proximity of Lee family landholdings to the Lee Street corridor—documented through
property records, census data, and legal notices referencing individuals such as Sallie Lee and
Martin Parks Lee—provides a strong geographic and contextual basis for associating the street
name with local family ownership. Additionally, the continuity of Lee family presence in the area
across multiple decades further reinforces the likelihood that the name was derived from
longstanding community recognition rather than a later formal designation.

However, despite this strong circumstantial and contextual evidence, the precise origin of the name
cannot be definitively verified. Early municipal records, including official maps, ordinances, and
naming resolutions, were either not consistently created or have not been preserved. As a result,
there is no surviving documentation that explicitly identifies the individual for whom Lee Street
was named.


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Accordingly, the historical record does not conclusively establish whether the street name was
intended to commemorate a specific individual or simply reflect common local usage. Based on
the available evidence, several plausible interpretations remain:

   •   A local Lee family associated with adjacent land ownership, whose property defined or
 bordered the corridor that became Lee Street;
   •   A prominent individual bearing the surname Lee, whose identity may have been locally
 understood at the time but not formally recorded; or
   •   Another individual or reference that has not been preserved in existing records, due to gaps
 in early documentation and recordkeeping practices.

It is also important to note that, although later civic leaders such as R. E. Lee and William Jackson
“Dub” Lee played significant roles in the development of Stockbridge during the mid-twentieth
century, the documented existence of Lee Street prior to 1918 establishes that the street name
predates their public service. Therefore, it is unlikely that the street was originally named in
recognition of their tenure.

In summary, while the available evidence strongly supports an origin tied to early land ownership
and community development patterns, the absence of definitive documentation prevents a
conclusive identification of the specific individual for whom Lee Street was named.

Proposed Action

The City Council is requested to consider adoption of a resolution to rename North Lee Street and
South Lee Street to Martin Luther King, Jr. Way.

If approved, the proposed name change would recognize the legacy and historical significance of
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose leadership in the Civil Rights Movement represents a defining
chapter in American history. The renaming would serve as a commemorative action that aligns
with broader national and local efforts to honor Dr. King’s contributions to civil rights, equality,
and social justice.

From a community and planning perspective, the designation of a major roadway as Martin Luther
King, Jr. Way would establish a unified corridor identity that reflects the values, cultural heritage,
and historical awareness of the City of Stockbridge. Such designations are commonly used in
municipalities across the United States to recognize significant historical figures while also
reinforcing civic identity and community pride.

The proposed renaming would also provide an opportunity to enhance wayfinding, placemaking,
and community recognition along the corridor. As a continuous north-south route, the
consolidation of North and South Lee Street under a single commemorative name would create a
more cohesive identity and improve clarity for residents, visitors, and emergency services.

If approved, implementation of the name change would require coordination across multiple
departments and agencies, including:


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    •   Updating official City records, maps, and GIS databases to reflect the new street name;
    •   Coordination with Henry County, the United States Postal Service, and emergency service
 providers to ensure continuity of addressing and response systems;
    •   Notification of affected property owners and businesses, including guidance regarding
 address updates and transition timelines;
    •   Replacement and installation of street signage, including potential gateway or
 commemorative signage along the corridor; and
    •   Public communication and outreach, to ensure a clear and coordinated transition process.

Consideration of this proposed action involves both historical context and community values, as it
balances the documented origins of the existing street name with the opportunity to recognize a
nationally significant figure whose legacy continues to shape communities today.

Staff Recommendation

Staff recommends that the City Council review the historical findings and analysis presented in
this report and provide policy direction regarding the proposed renaming of North Lee Street and
South Lee Street.

The historical research indicates that Lee Street originated during the early development of the
Town of Stockbridge and was likely associated with local land ownership patterns rather than a
formally documented naming action. While the exact individual for whom the street was named
cannot be definitively identified, the evidence demonstrates that the street name predates later civic
leaders associated with the Lee family.

Given this context, the proposed renaming represents a policy decision rather than a correction of
the historical record. As such, the City Council may consider whether the proposed name change
aligns with the City’s goals related to community identity, historical recognition, and cultural
significance.

Should the City Council determine that the renaming is appropriate, staff recommends approval of
a resolution to rename North Lee Street and South Lee Street to Martin Luther King, Jr. Way,
along with direction to proceed with implementation, including coordination with relevant
agencies, notification of affected property owners, and updates to official City records and
mapping systems.

.




Page 31 of 34
 Historical Timeline


 The Henry
 County Weekly
 publishes
 notice of estate
 sale for Samuel
 Lee,
  Concord                                  referencing
  Methodist            Civil War           Lee’s Mill in the     Southern
  Church               activity in         12th Land             Railroad
  established          Stockbridge         District              constructed




 1863                 1865                  1880                1895


 1826                    1864                1879            1881–1882



 Johnson’s            Lindenkohl           U.S. Census         Stockbridge
 Georgia and          Map (U.S.            documents           incorporated as
 Alabama Map          Government)          Samuel Lee          a town
 (A.J. Johnson);      (Stockbridge         household
 Stockbridge          shown within         (Robert E. Lee
 identified as a      regional             listed as a
 recognized           transportation       child)
 settlement           network)




Page 32 of 34
 Historical Timeline (cont.)



  Early residence
  established                           Stockbridge
  along Lee                             incorporated
  Street,                               as a city;          Population
  confirming          Stockbridge       Population          ~392 residents
  corridor            Baptist Church    ~386 residents      (Henry County
  development         established       (U.S. Census)       District 775)




 1910               1918                  1927                1939


     ~1900                  1917            1920                   1930



 Stockbridge        Lee Street         Robert E. Lee       Henry County
 not listed as      documented in      begins service      Highway
 separate           legal notices;     as Mayor            Planning Map;
 municipality       Established                            Population
 (Census);          roadway used                           ~443
 Reflects pre-      in property                            residents;
 incorporation      descriptions                           Development
 rural status                                              centered on
 transportation
 routes




Page 33 of 34
 Historical Timeline (cont.)




    U.S. Census
    confirms continued           William Jackson
    residency of Robert          “Dub” Lee serves as
    E. Lee                       Mayor




 1952                         1962

 ~1950                   1958–1960s


 Stockbridge Urban
 Death of R.E.Lee             Area Zoning District
 Map (Lee Street
 formally recognized
 in zoning framework)




Page 34 of 34
