Flat Rock is a historic African American community in DeKalb County, Georgia. It is located within the city ofLithonia, as well as the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area. Flat Rock is believed to be the oldest African American settlement in DeKalb County and one of the oldest in Georgia. It began as an agricultural community bounded by the large South, Lyon, and Johnson farms. After emancipation, many former slaves stayed in the area, building schools, churches, and civic organizations. The community remained intact through The Great Migration and is the site of Flat Rock Archives and a historic cemetery.
History
The oldest known record of Flat Rock is found on an 1822 map. Flat Rock is not noted on any maps after 1865, likely because of the growing nearby town of Lithonia. The community continued to exist and was never incorporated. The community began as an African American settlement likely due to the surrounding slave-holding farms. After emancipation, former slaves had no means to move elsewhere. Some of the first families were the Bryant, Ford, Henderson, Holt, Reid and Waites families. The Flat Rock post office was the only government presence in the community until its closure in 1900. Flat Rock was the location of the area's first churches that welcomed both black and white members. During the Great Migration, Flat Rock resident, T.A. Bryant Sr. saw the need to keep the community together by encouraging others to stay in Flat Rock. He purchased 45 acres for $600 and sold it in pieces to family members and others so they could stay in the area. In an interview for NPR, Henry Louis Gates stated that " was trying to give them a stake in the South, a reason to stay, 'cause they were not going to own property in Pittsburgh, Detroit or Cincinnati, in Philadelphia or New York." Flat Rock remained isolated until the 1940s. Telephone and electricity lines reached the community during the War Years, but man roads remained unpaved even until the 1980s.
Flat Rock Archives
Flat Rock archives is located in the home built by T.A. Bryant Sr., donated by Reverend T.A. Bryant Jr. The archives were established as a museum and resource to genealogical and historic researchers as well as a heritage tourism site. In addition to preserving and cataloging artifacts, records, and oral histories related to the slaves, former slaves, and their descendants in the community, the Flat Rock Archive maintains the nearby Flat Rock Slave Cemetery as a part of their mission. The archive is currently open to the public every Tuesday, and tours are available with the archive's president, Johnny Waits.
Significant Sites
The Flat Rock Archives consists of a variety of historic sites, most of which are connected by the paved, multiuse Arabia Mountain PATH trail. All of these sites are located within the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area.
The T. A. Bryant, Sr. House & Homestead
The T. A. Bryant, Sr. House and surrounding homestead are a centerpiece of the Flat Rock Archives and key to the story of the Flat Rock Community. The House was built in 1917. After Bryant, Sr. bought the land subsequently sold or leased small parcels off to other members of the Flat Rock community. In doing so, Bryant, Sr. gave people a stake in the South and kept the people of Flat Rock together.
Historic Flat Rock Slave Cemetery
The Flat Rock Slave Cemetery is an important part of the Flat Rock community, with numerous people from throughout the community's history buried at the historic cemetery site.
Lyon House
Built in the 1820s by former British soldier Joseph Emmanuel Lyon, the Lyon House and homestead are key to Flat Rock's beginnings: people were enslaved here. The Lyon House underwent a stabilization effort in 2019-2019 and today is a part of Flat Rock tours.
The Flat Rock Church was an important meeting place for the community for decades. While it is no longer standing, a new church has been built on the site and archaeologists and historians with the Flat Rock Archives are working to preserve its role in the community.
