What Would Paul Duke Think of Peachtree Corners Now

Ruth Strickland, Paul Duke's assistant for 20 years, gives readers an inside look at the man and his vision for Peachtree Corners.

Note to Patch Readers: This article first appeared June 10, 2011. As Peachtree Corners now is officially Gwinnett County's newest city, we thought it an ideal time to publish it again. *** Editor's note: Below is a letter from Ruth Strickland, who is a long-time resident of Peachtree Corners. Her letter is in response to a comment from another resident of the community, Robert Nebel. A story titled "Paul Duke's Peachtree Corners" written by Robin Montri and published June 6, 2011 prompted Nebel to comment "WWPD-What Would Paul Do?" regarding all of the growth of the community and its bid to become a city. Ms. Strickland responded by offering an inside glimpse of the man and his visions for Peachtree Corners. My name is Ruth Strickland. I …

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A Slice of the Green Life

It Was 'Love at First Sight' for One Resident

I was delighted with the charm of the area and the feeling of community - and I am extremely proud to call Peachtree Corners my home.

A decade ago, I had never stepped foot in Peachtree Corners.  Furthermore, I can honestly say I had never even heard of Peachtree Corners, even though I had lived in Atlanta since 1994. I was living near Decatur at the time, and my then fiancée worked at Checkfree (now Fiserv).  One morning, when his car wouldn’t start, I gave him a ride to the office, and after dropping him off, I quite unexpectedly found myself driving through nearby neighborhoods off of East Jones Bridge, delighted with the charm of the area and the feeling of community I immediately felt. I stopped in front of a house with a “For Sale by Owner” sign in the front yard.  The owner just happened to be in the driveway; I introduced myself, took a quick tour of the house, …

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Paul Duke's Peachtree Corners

A look back on the founding of the community -- and a look ahead.

Editor's Note: This article was first published in June, 2011. As Peachtree Corners moves closer to cityhood, we thought it appropriate to run again. *** I've lived in Peachtree Corners for over 10 years.  I've embraced this community like it's my hometown.  I plan to raise my children in the lovely neighborhood where we live, and send them to the award-winning elementary, middle and high school that are all within walking and biking distance. So, when I noticed that the Peachtree Corners gateway monument sign, which is constructed on the acreage at the “split,” where Peachtree Parkway veers off from northbound Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, welcomes everyone to our community with the words "Peachtree Corners and the Paul Duke Parkway," I…

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Judy Putnam

9:32 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Do you remember when E. Jones Bridge Road was a dirt road? Do you have other memories of P'tree Corners when it first began to develop? We'd love to hear from you.   more ›

Foundation Gala Drew Large Group of Supporters

The NHS Foundation for Excellence 7th Annual Gala raised nearly $90,000 at the event held under the stars at the Fields Club.

The threat of rain didn't stop supporters of the Norcross High School Foundation for Excellence from showing up at the Seventh Annual Gala on Friday held at The Fields Club in Peachtree Corners. Held for the second time at the outdoor venue under the stars, the event was filled with friends, neighbors, politicians, principals and teachers who came to show their support for the annual fund-raising event. "We had 545 people attend this year," said Jenny Chapin, co-president of the Foundation, "and we raised almost $90,000." The gala is not only a fund-raising event, it's also an opportunity to honor those in the community who have made significant contributions to Norcross HS and the community. The Foundation has been recognizing three …

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Lisa Kacena-Grell

2:32 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Great job Jenny! Raising $90,000 that is just awesome!   more ›

The History of Peachtree Corners - Part Six: ‘The Vision of Paul Duke’

For a century, Pinckneyville remained a quiet little farming community in the shadow of Norcross. But that would all change with the vision of one man - Paul Duke.

Soon after the railroad to Atlanta came through from the north in 1870, spurring the development of a new town called Norcross just a few miles east of Pinckneyville, the community began to lose its prominence as a notable crossroads of Georgia – becoming a sleepy farming community. It would stay that way for a century. Then in the late 1960s, a visionary by the name of Paul Duke began to secure investors for an idea he had nurtured for sometime; a "planned community" that would bring a new age of commerce and growth to the area – using home grown talent, so to speak.  The place would be called Peachtree Corners. His idea behind the “planned community” was to accomplish two main goals; first, to keep talented engineers from Georgia Tech in…

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Technology Park is Economic Engine of Peachtree Corners

The park was the dream of real estate developer and visionary Paul Duke, who invested himself and much of his fortune in creating a quality live-work-play community.

It would be hard to imagine Peachtree Corners without Technology Park. Its 3.8 million square feet of office space spread over 500 acres, provides a creative and esthetically pleasing working environment for 7,000 employees who operate 500 companies involved in changing modern day technology. Travelers Insurance regional headquarters, spread out over 154,000 square feet, occupies the largest footprint. The park's impact on technology and the local economy have been enormous. Technology Park is every bit as much an economic engine for Peachtree Corners as Lake Lanier is for north Georgia. Denise Wagner, the marketing manager for TPA Realty Services estimates that Technology Park and its sister development Johns Creek Technology Park …

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An Open Letter from Mike Mason, President, UPCCA

An annexation attempt has been launched by the City of Norcross.

Editor's note: The opinions expressed in this letter are not necessarily those of Peachtree Corners Patch. To respond or comment, please use the comment box at the end of this letter. In an effort to keep you informed, we want to let you know that the City of Norcross has launched yet another annexation attempt against businesses within Peachtree Corners. As you might remember, much of the impetus for our current City campaign is due to an unsuccessful annexation attempt by Norcross in 2008-2009. This time, their annexation attempt 1) included businesses deeper into the heart of Peachtree Corners and 2) occurred after the Governor signed the bill allowing our City referendum. The current annexation attempt included such businesses as the …

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Lori Howard

7:00 am on Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Great article, Mike! Thanks for keeping us all updated!   more ›

Paul Duke's Former Assistant Speaks Out About Peachtree Corners

Ruth Strickland worked with the community's founder for two decades and offers a glimpse of what her former boss would think of the area today.

Editor's note: Below is a letter from Ruth Strickland, who is a long-time resident of Peachtree Corners. Her letter is in response to a recent comment from another resident of the community, Robert Nebel. A recent story titled "Paul Duke's Peachtree Corners written by Robin Montri and published June 6 prompted Nebel to comment "WWPD-What Would Paul Do?" regarding all of the growth of the community and its bid to become a city. Ms. Strickland offers an inside glimpse of the man and his visions for Peachtree Corners. My name is Ruth Strickland. I worked with Paul Duke as his assistant for 20 years starting in the fall of 1967.  I became President of CEO Business Centers in 1987; and President of Peachtree Corners, Inc., the parent company in…

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Robin Montri

12:36 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011

What an honor that you wrote in as a response to the article I wrote about Mr. Duke! Thank you so much for the follow-up, as you provide such valuable insight to what the founder of our community would do in regards to some of the issues we are facing today. Whatever direction our community decides to go in, I hope it alligns with his original vision for Peachtree Corners. With deep respect- Robin   more ›

Paul Duke's Peachtree Corners

A look back on the founding of the community -- and a look ahead.

I've lived in Peachtree Corners for over 10 years.  I've embraced this community like it's my hometown.  I plan to raise my children in the lovely neighborhood where we live, and send them to the award-winning elementary, middle and high school that are all within walking and biking distance. So, when I noticed that the Peachtree Corners gateway monument sign, which is constructed on the acreage at the “split,” where Peachtree Parkway veers off from northbound Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, welcomes everyone to our community with the words "Peachtree Corners and the Paul Duke Parkway," I was more than a tad embarrassed to admit that I have absolutely NO idea who the heck this Paul Duke guy is. If there is already a road (141) named after …

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Ruth Strickland

11:35 am on Friday, June 10, 2011

I worked with Paul Duke for many years starting in the fall of 1967. May I say, it is wonderful to see him remembered here. I was especially pleased to see the post by BJ Van Gundy. He was someone Paul Duke took a special interest in; and I remember when he started his college career at Georgia Tech. Robert, I have answered your question. There was too much information to share here as a comment…   more ›

Four Honored at Norcross HS Foundation Annual Gala

The sixth annual fund-raising event was held at The Fields Club in Peachtree Corners.

The 2011 Norcross High School Foundation of Excellence annual gala was held last week at The Fields Club in Peachtree Corners. Over 500 local supporters and parents of the high school joined in celebrating the sixth annual fund-raising event. This year the foundation honored Cheryl Collins, Jan and Aaron Lupoloff and Daniella Taylor for their significant contributions to Norcross High School and the community. The four honorees were inducted into the Foundation for Excellence Hall of Fame which began in 2006. Cheryl Collins is a parent of two NHS graduates and is credited with creating the Blue Angels student recognition program. In the community, she has worked with the UPCCA, the Community Council of Gwinnett County, MADAC and Meals on …

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