The country sensibility of the residents has also fostered a strong sense of community in the neighborhood. Whittier Mill came to life in 1895 as a village for workers at the Whittier Textile Mill. When the mill closed in 1972, many of the retired mill workers stayed but most expected the neighborhood to die. That didn't happen. Instead a new generation moved in, fixed up the old houses and is carrying on the neighborhood traditions.
History remains important in Whittier Mill.
The neighborhood is designated by the City of Atlanta as a Historic District, meaning that the Atlanta Urban Design Commission must approve major changes or alterations to the exterior of buildings as well as the designs for new buildings in the area. Tallifero and Rooney both agree that the design guidelines have allowed the neighborhood to grow and change, but still retain unique character. Recently, several new houses were built on the old neighborhood baseball field. Because of the design guidelines, these houses blend beautifully with their historic neighbors, but have all the amenities found in a typical modern house. Inside I-285, just off Bolton Road, between the Chattahoochee River and the Norfolk Southern Railroad line.