The City of Norcross is Gwinnett County's second oldest city. It was founded by J. J. Thrasher and named for his good friend Jonathan Norcross, a former Mayor of Atlanta. Norcross was incorporated on October 26, 1870. The Mayor and City Council have sought to preserve the city's charm. The City maintains a quiet, pisturesque downtown district while along its fringes are corporations doing millions of dollars of business on a daily basis.
Known in its early days as "Atlanta's Favorite Summer Resort," we invite you to visit Norcross today and discover for yourself the many exciting surprises in our 112-acre Historic District. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, you'll find picturesque rows of restored narrow brick buildings in our charming "downtown" illuminated by old-fashioned street lamps and lined with crepe myrtle, dogwoods and inviting benches...Visit one of Atlanta's few preserved Train Depots...Refresh yourself at one of our award winning restaurants.
All the classic styles of Southern architecture are showcased here for you to admire, from antebellum mansions to Victorian homes. Private citizens have adoringly preserved the many beautiful old residences boasting the famous broad porches which helped make Southern hospitality famous. Stately southern pines and magnificent old oak trees provide a cool, lacy canopy of shade for a relaxing walking tour of our Historic District.
Treasured by its citizens, Norcross has been restored and preserved for your enjoyment today. Come and visit us and don't be surprised when Norcross delights and inspires you, just as it did old-timer Edward Buchannan, inventor of the "Nor-X," the first automobile manufactured in the South!
Norcross' hometown charm, convenience to metropolitan Atlanta and award winning schools have led to the development of numerous new subdivisions for families. Our many churches of diverse denominations also sponsor functions and provide support for children and families. Several excellent state-of-the-art libraries, including the Norcross library, are located within easy access. People who live in our quiet picturesque city enjoy its small town charm without sacrificing all the conveniences of the big city: Atlanta is just a few exits down the road...or take a half our scenic drive to the southernmost reaches of the Appalachian mountains.
Whether it's old-style south you want or the modern features and traditional elegance of new homes, many diverse housing opportunities await you. Our growing new subdivisions invite you to explore their different styles and modern features. Come and visit us today and for yourself how Norcross helps make Gwinnett County one of the fastest growing communities in the United States.
NORCROSS BASEBALL HALL OF FAME
In 1994, with the goal of preserving local baseball history, several men organized the Norcross Old Timers Baseball Association. Why Norcross? Well, believe it or not, this once tiny railroad town boasted 16 players who signed professional contracts between 1910 and 1950 - more than any other town, per capita, in the good old U.S.A.! Two sets of brothers, Ivy and "Red" Wingo and Roy and Cleo Carlyle played in the major leagues and Troyce Cofer signed in AAA ball and played a season for the Atlanta Crackers, as best the Old Timers and old newspapers can recall.
Visitors can stroll a few short steps over to the original playing field, now Lillian Webb Field, and read a sign marking the distance of the longest recorded homerun, 618 feet, hit July 4, 1929 in Oakland California by Home town hero, Roy Carlyle. Carlyle was raised in and returned to Norcross, running a local business up until his death. He is buried in the Norcross City cemetery, located across Buford Highway and within view of the ball field, along with other turn of the century Hall of Fame notables.
Several city streets are named for the most famous of these players. Some childhood homes are located along them and are well marked as historical.
Located in the rotunda of City Hall, the Norcross Baseball Hall of Fame is a wonderful display of local baseball memorabilia including a vintage uniform, autographed bats and balls, several fine trophies, and many stories worth telling and re-telling.
The museum is open from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
