Tucker a Metro Atlanta Neighborhood - Life and History
Tucker primarily consists of
1960s and 1970s-era ranch and split-level homes, and
1970s and 1980s-era multi-story homes. The latter two often feature daylight basements.
Various neighborhoods are typically groups by geographic association with elementary schools and other centers of community life such as parks.
Community organizations[edit]
The lack of a formal city government, and the desire for community involvement, fostered the growth of various groups and associations. Some of the more significant include; the Tucker
Business Association, Tucker
Community Improvement District, Tucker
Civic Association, Tucker
Football League, Tucker
Historical Society,
Friends of Henderson Park, Friends of
Johns Homestead,
Main Street Tucker
Alliance,
Northlake Community Alliance, Friends of the Tucker
Nature Preserve,
Old Town Tucker
Merchants Association, Tucker
Parent Council, and the Tucker
Youth Soccer Association (which has since changed its name to
Triumph Youth Soccer Association).
With the exception of sports organizations, involving residents in multiple counties, most of these groups are predominately led by and serve residents within the Tucker area.
Tucker includes multiple Baptist, Lutheran,
Methodist, Pentecostal, and Presbyterian churches;
Catholic, Mormon, and over a dozen non-denomination
Christian churches, some holding services in
Chinese, Korean,
Spanish, and
Vietnamese. Several churches including
Rehoboth Baptist, established in 1854, and
First Baptist of Tucker, established in 1893, maintain large youth athletic programs.[26][27] In the 1970s,
The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints built a regional welfare and emergency response center in
Royal Atlanta Business Park.[28]
Outdoor events[edit]
Outdoor events held on Main Street are a central part of the community for numerous residents and organizations. The Tucker Day celebration, first held in the
1950s, is an annual event typically including a
parade, that runs the length of Main Street with food vendors, artist, musicians, and merchants. Other annual events on Main Street include the
Taste of Tucker and Tucker
Chili Cook-Off.
The street is also closed for the Tucker Cruise-In held monthly between April and September. The
Farmers Market on Main Street occupies a similar seasonal schedule, though weekly.
The Tucker Civic Association, Friends of Henderson Park, Friends of the Tucker Nature Preserve, and neighborhood groups regularly organize park and roadside cleanup efforts. The Tucker Historical Society hosts the annual
Brownings Courthouse Day and the annual
Garden Tour.
The
Tucker High School varsity football team, the Tucker
Tigers, is a large seasonal draw for former and current Tucker alumni and residents. Like most high schools in
DeKalb County, Tucker does not have a local football stadium, thus home games are technically away games.
Cyclist completing the weekly 42 mile ‘’Tucker
Ride.’’
Amateur sports[edit]
Tucker Football League (
TFL) and Triumph Youth Soccer Association (TYSA), formerly the Tucker Youth Soccer Association, are the two largest independent youth sports organizations in the community. TYSA is the largest in DeKalb County, and the fourth largest youth soccer association in
Georgia.[29] The TFL holds games and practices at the privately owned
Fitzgerald Field. TYSA uses county fields at Henderson Park and the privately owned
Granite – Patillo Field
.[30]
Adult sports include road bicycle racing. The weekly 42-mile (68 km) Tucker Ride and
Baby Tucker. According to
Southeastern Cycling, “This is where the big boys and racers show up to play."[31] The Tucker ride maintains speeds over 24-mile (39 km) per hour.
The Baby Tucker is slightly less strenuous at 20-mile (32 km) per hour.[32]