Every Old House Has A Story To Tell
Thomson, Ga – McDuffie County – This mansion dates back to about 1864, with major renovations made around 1900 by Thomas E. Watson. The house and grounds are so special, and open to the public for tours! I was eager to learn more about the house and families that have lived here.
Athens, GA – Clarke County- This Greek Revival mansion located on Prince Avenue has an interesting story of prominent families over the years. For simplicity, we are calling it Upon House (instead of Franklin-Gazaway-Long-Upson House). It was even turned into a bank – read through the history of this home and see some old interior photographs.
Washington, GA – Wilkes County – I had an opportunity to visit Washington Presbyterian Church yesterday as part of a Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation Expedition, a great tour of 20 different sites in the area. The church actually dates prior to 1790 and has an interesting history – and it’s the oldest non-residential building in town.
Continue reading “Washington Presbyterian Church, Built 1825”
Athens, GA – Clarke County – This antebellum beauty served as home to Joseph Henry Lumpkin, the first Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court. Over the years it’s been expanded, changed the street it faces, and moved several hundred feet.
Maysville, GA – This dogtrot cabin has quite an interesting history, originally built in the 1840s and occupied by the same family until 1992. Even more amazing – it never had electricity or running water!
Originally located east of Nicholson, the cabin has been relocated and part of the Heritage Village at Hurricane Shoals Park. More about that in a minute.
Hayden Jubal David and a slave built this 2 room cabin in the 1840s. David married two times. Daughter Leutitia married Joel Freeman, and they had 8 children here!
Exploring the 2 room cabin, you immediately notice the lower doorframe and ceiling that’s also low. Amazing to think several generations of the same family lived here – Joel and Leutitia’s youngest child, Rufus Clyde Freeman – lived here until his death in 1992.
A wood stove was used for heat and cooking, and water came from a nearby spring. While the cabin had a couple of additions over the year (which have been removed), I found it so interesting to think how it was never electrified.
The cabin was donated to the Tumbling Waters Society in the 1990s, and became part of Heritage Village at Hurricane Shoals Park. Having several of Jackson County’s oldest buildings here has helped to preserve them – as well as save them from possible demolition.
I’ve got several more places to share from Heritage Village – if you’re in the area, it’s well worth a stop by here to see several great old buildings all in one spot! Thanks so much for reading the blog – appreciate it!