Oakwood Lincoln Park

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C.B. (Brown) Atkin was born on Gay Street in 1864 across from the Knox County Courthouse. He later married Mary Burwell, and they lived for many years at 518 West Main.

In 1901, Atkin, a successful businessman, selected an area between Central and Broadway that at the time was fertile farmland covered with vines, evergreens, and rose bushes. He purchased the land from the Churchwell family, and the community of Oakwood was begun.

Brown Atkin named many of the streets in Oakwood for friends and business associates. Caldwell Avenue was named for Joshua Caldwell, a distinguished attorney. Harvey Street, for Charles H. Harvey, the president of Knoxville Railway and Light Company. McMillan was named for E. E. McMillan, a neighbor of the Atkins. Morelia Avenue was named for a small town in Mexico where the Atkins had vacationed, while Churchwell was named in honor of the family from whom Atkins had acquired the land.

Oakwood was more than an early subdivision. Atkins laid out the Oakwood business district between the 2200 and 2600 blocks of North Central Street. For many years, Oakwood had grocery stores, Brown's Cafeteria, shoe shops, barber shops, a drugstore, and as many as six service stations.

Many of the homes have some late Victorian influence, while others display Craftsman characteristics, including some California bungalow styles on Churchwell and Caldwell. As many as 150 homes were later constructed for returning veterans of World War II.