Author Ray Stannard Baker in The Atlanta Riot described it in 1907, in the tone illustrating the presuppositions with which white Americans wrote about African Americans at that time; but nonetheless illustrating the industriousness of Brownsville at the time: When I went out to Brownsville, knowing of its bloody part in the riot, I expected to find a typical negro slum.

Near at hand, surrounded by beautiful grounds, were two negro colleges — Clark University and Gammon Theological Seminary.

The schoolhouse, though supplied with teachers by the county, was built wholly with money personally contributed by the negroes of the neighborhood, in order that there might be adequate educational facilities for their children.

The residents were all of the industrious, property-owning sort, bearing the best reputation among white people who knew them.

In addition, between 1894–1915, South Atlanta benefited from the development of Lakewood Park and its agricultural fairs which were held annually 1916–1975.