The Story Behind Atlanta’s 70+ Peachtree Streets

The Story Behind Atlanta’s 70+ Peachtree Streets

How Many Peachtree Streets Are There?

• There are at least 71 roads in Metro Atlanta with “Peachtree” in the name.

• You'll find Peachtree Street, Peachtree Road, Peachtree Lane, Peachtree Walk, Peachtree Center Avenue, Peachtree Battle Avenue, Peachtree Industrial Boulevard... and more.

• Some streets even change names mid-block but still keep “Peachtree” in them!

 Why So Many “Peachtrees”?

1. There Was Likely Never a Real Peach Tree

• Historians believe the word actually came from “Standing Peachtree,” an Anglicized version of a Creek (Muscogee) Native American village called Pakanahuili.

• The village sat near what is now Peachtree Creek, and the name evolved over time.

• Early settlers may have misunderstood or simplified the name to “Peachtree.”

2. Atlanta Was Built Along Peachtree Ridge

• Peachtree Ridge was an important Native American and early settler trail.

• As the city developed along this ridge, the original road was named Peachtree Street—and all the offshoots adopted similar names.

3. It Became a Marketing Trend

• As Atlanta expanded, developers started naming streets, condos, and buildings after “Peachtree” to sound more desirable, central, or prestigious.

• It’s basically the original version of adding “Park” or “Heights” to a subdivision name.

 Why It’s So Confusing

• Many different Peachtree-named streets are not connected, even though their names sound identical.

• Some are in Buckhead, others are downtown, midtown, or even way out in the suburbs.

• It makes giving directions... interesting.

 Quick Facts for Fun

• Peachtree Street is the main north-south artery through Downtown and Midtown.

• Peachtree Road becomes Peachtree Street once it hits Midtown.

• Peachtree Battle Avenue is named after a Civil War skirmish near Peachtree Creek.

• There are even condos with "Peachtree" twice in the name—like Peachtree on Peachtree!