The M.A.K. Local Historic District
Named for the three main streets it encompasses (McDonough, Adams and Kings Highway), the MAK Local Historic District includes ten city blocks of varying sizes and is Decatur's first locally designated historic district. The neighborhood was Decatur's first residential subdivision, developed by John Mason and Poleman Weekes who purchased the property in 1907. Local architect Leila Ross Wilburn designed many of the homes for Mason and Weekes.

The MAK neighborhood retains many of the Wilburn-designed homes and offers excellent examples of the Craftsman style homes that were popular during the first three decades of the 20th century. The neighborhood sought listing as Decatur's first local historic district in order to establish design guidelines and a design review to protect its unique character.

Clairemont Historic District
In January 2001, following a petition by neighborhood homeowners, the Decatur City Commission created the second local historic district in Decatur, the Clairemont Historic District. This district runs the length of Clairemont Avenue from Commerce Drive and Hunter Street in the south to Maediris Drive in the north. A set of design guidelines governs exterior changes to properties located within the district. Any change must be approved by the City's Historic Preservation Commission.

How to Establish a Local Historic District
At the request of citizens, the City Commission, working with the Historic Preservation Commission can create local historic districts to help preserve the historic character of neighborhoods. A local historic district is a geographically designated area that contains buildings, structures, sites, objects, landscape features and works of art that:

• Have special character, historic and/or aesthetic value or interest
• Represent periods, styles or types of architecture typical of the history of the municipality, county, state or region
• Constitute a visibly perceptible section of the municipality or county.

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