As you all know, Georgia is full of history; from our historical buildings to historical artifacts found all over the state, there’s a story to be told. That’s why we’re lucky to have The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, which is one of the largest state-wide non-profits in the country dedicated to historic preservation. They have a really cool program in place called ‘Places In Peril,” which identifies historical buildings that are in danger due to lack of maintenance, neglect, insensitive development plans or public policy. Every year they publish a report on the top places in danger, and here’s what they found for 2014 and 2015:
- Glenridge Hall in Sandy Springs
Save Glenridge Hall via Facebook This grand place was built in 1929 on 400 acres and hosted stables, barns, carpentry shops, and housing for workers. Today only 80 acres of the original 400 remain. Because of its location in Sandy Springs, near busy Abernathy Road, commercial development is likely.
- Dart House in Brunswick, GA
Save the Historic Dart House via Facebook The beautiful Dart House was built by the son of Brunswick’s co-founder, Urbanas Dart more than 130 years ago. The Chamber of Commerce recently relocated to a newer building, leaving the Dart House susceptible to deterioration. The Historic Brunswick Foundation entered into an agreement in 2014 with the Chamber that if the Foundation could raise $300K, they could purchase the home. If the Foundation doesn’t raise the money, this historic house is in danger of being demolished.
- East Point Historic Civic Block in East Point, Fulton County
wikipedia The East Point City Hall, City Auditorium, City Library, and Victory Park has been the heart of East Point since the 1930s. With a decreased usage and sustained damage, the future of these buildings is unknown.
- Haistens Hospital in Griffin
Griffin Spalding Historical Society via Facebook This old hospital was built in 1910 to replace another hospital. It was also a nurse’s dormitory and personal care facility. The building is now vacant and deteriorating. If a new owner and renovation plan cannot be put into place, this home is in danger of being demolished.
- Portal Drugstore in Portal, Bulloch County
The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation via Facebook Portal Drugstore was built by Dr. Stewart, Portal’s first doctor. It was actually built in 1907, a year before the town was incorporated. Tours of the place were held until 2012 when it was deemed unsafe. If not properly taken care of, the city may deem it a hazard and demolish it.
- Sandersville Elementary School in Sandersville, Washington County
Washington County Cultural + Civic Center via Facebook This single story school once housed the town’s elementary, middle, and high school. In 1960, a new high school was created and this school became just the elementary and middle school. In 2008, the building was vacated. Then in the winter of 2014, a water pipe broke causing more damage to the building. Since then, the community and Georgia Trust has come together to try and and preserve this old school.
- Ware’s Folly in Augusta, GA
Akhenaton06 via Flickr Businessman Nicholas Ware built this home in 1818 on the outskirts of Augusta. It cost $40,000, which was outrageous for the time. This price led to the mansion’s nickname of ‘Ware’s Folly’. It is considered one of the finest homes of Federalist architecture in the whole state. In 1937, the home was donated to the Augusta Art Club, which still owns the property today. However, the outside of the mansion has fallen into despair.
- Hancock County Courthouse in Sparta, Hancock County
lns1122 via Flickr This gorgeous red brick building and clock tower was built in 1883. Hancock County recently started a $150,000 renovation project when a fire struck through the courthouse in 2014. For now, the renovations have been held off.
- The Federal Road/Lower Creek Trading Path - Located in 13 Georgia Counties
Ethan Trewhitt via Facebook This path was created in 1803 after the Louisiana Purchase by President Thomas Jefferson and his Indian Agent to the Creeks, Benjamin Hawkins. It was a path through the Creek Nation that helped to facilitate settlements and led to the Creek War in 1813. Recently, historians in Georgia and Alabama have made an effort to conserve the historical prevalence of the roads from development. (Note: This is NOT a picture of the trading path.)
- Adam-Strain Building in Darien, McIntosh County
Seaboard Real Estate, Inc. via Facebook The Adam-Strain Building was built in 1813 as a waterfront warehouse. It suffered looting and fire in 1863 and was refurbished in 1870. The city of Darien has a low tax base and is unable to take on this building. The owner of this building was denied a demolition permit and it is currently for sale.
The first nine buildings are on the 2015 Places in Peril list, and the last building is on the 2014 list. Unfortunately, they’re all still in danger of being destroyed, and with it, their history. There are many ways that we can come together to stop the destruction of these beautiful and historic buildings. Joining The Georgia Trust or your local preservation group, emailing letters to city officials and organizing support groups and public meetings will all help to raise awareness about this cause. Read more about Places in Peril here.
Save Glenridge Hall via Facebook
This grand place was built in 1929 on 400 acres and hosted stables, barns, carpentry shops, and housing for workers. Today only 80 acres of the original 400 remain. Because of its location in Sandy Springs, near busy Abernathy Road, commercial development is likely.
Save the Historic Dart House via Facebook
The beautiful Dart House was built by the son of Brunswick’s co-founder, Urbanas Dart more than 130 years ago. The Chamber of Commerce recently relocated to a newer building, leaving the Dart House susceptible to deterioration. The Historic Brunswick Foundation entered into an agreement in 2014 with the Chamber that if the Foundation could raise $300K, they could purchase the home. If the Foundation doesn’t raise the money, this historic house is in danger of being demolished.
wikipedia
The East Point City Hall, City Auditorium, City Library, and Victory Park has been the heart of East Point since the 1930s. With a decreased usage and sustained damage, the future of these buildings is unknown.
Griffin Spalding Historical Society via Facebook
This old hospital was built in 1910 to replace another hospital. It was also a nurse’s dormitory and personal care facility. The building is now vacant and deteriorating. If a new owner and renovation plan cannot be put into place, this home is in danger of being demolished.
The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation via Facebook
Portal Drugstore was built by Dr. Stewart, Portal’s first doctor. It was actually built in 1907, a year before the town was incorporated. Tours of the place were held until 2012 when it was deemed unsafe. If not properly taken care of, the city may deem it a hazard and demolish it.
Washington County Cultural + Civic Center via Facebook
This single story school once housed the town’s elementary, middle, and high school. In 1960, a new high school was created and this school became just the elementary and middle school. In 2008, the building was vacated. Then in the winter of 2014, a water pipe broke causing more damage to the building. Since then, the community and Georgia Trust has come together to try and and preserve this old school.
Akhenaton06 via Flickr
Businessman Nicholas Ware built this home in 1818 on the outskirts of Augusta. It cost $40,000, which was outrageous for the time. This price led to the mansion’s nickname of ‘Ware’s Folly’. It is considered one of the finest homes of Federalist architecture in the whole state. In 1937, the home was donated to the Augusta Art Club, which still owns the property today. However, the outside of the mansion has fallen into despair.
lns1122 via Flickr
This gorgeous red brick building and clock tower was built in 1883. Hancock County recently started a $150,000 renovation project when a fire struck through the courthouse in 2014. For now, the renovations have been held off.
Ethan Trewhitt via Facebook
This path was created in 1803 after the Louisiana Purchase by President Thomas Jefferson and his Indian Agent to the Creeks, Benjamin Hawkins. It was a path through the Creek Nation that helped to facilitate settlements and led to the Creek War in 1813. Recently, historians in Georgia and Alabama have made an effort to conserve the historical prevalence of the roads from development. (Note: This is NOT a picture of the trading path.)
Seaboard Real Estate, Inc. via Facebook
The Adam-Strain Building was built in 1813 as a waterfront warehouse. It suffered looting and fire in 1863 and was refurbished in 1870. The city of Darien has a low tax base and is unable to take on this building. The owner of this building was denied a demolition permit and it is currently for sale.
Do you know about any other historical buildings that at risk of being destroyed in Georgia? Tell us about it in the comments below!
UPDATE: According to 11 Alive News Glenridge Hall was demolished in April of 2015.
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