​Cobb Landmarks, in collaboration with the University of West Georgia, is embarking on a mission to create Atlanta's first dendrochronological chronology for 19th century structures. This project will involve examining tree rings to determine the year the timbers were harvested for construction. Currently, the lack of local tree-ring data prevents anyone from accurately dating Atlanta's remaining 19th-century timber frame structures. 

To change this, West Georgia students will be collecting core samples from historic sites across the region. Cobb Landmarks has also arranged to collaborate with South Downtown Atlanta. There, timbers from some of the city's oldest remaining commercial structures will be selected for sampling and future analysis. Plans are also in place to take and examine samples from locations including the William Root House, Power-Jackson Cabin, Brumby Hall, and Mimosa Hall. The resulting chronology will be a valuable resource, shared globally through NOAA, enabling further research and data contribution. 

This ambitious project, involving core sampling, lab analysis, and support from two paid intern positions, has a budget of approximately $9,000. Your support will enable Cobb Landmarks to provide invaluable data for current and future generations of researchers. Contribute to a lasting legacy of knowledge!

The historic McAfee House, a central hallway cottage built in the 1840s, stands as one of the oldest surviving structures in the Atlanta area and the last remaining pre-Civil War building in Cobb County's bustling Town Center area. Built with pine timbers joined by wooden pegs, the house still retains its original pine floors, walls and ceilings. And the McAfee House's historical significance extends beyond its age. It also served as a headquarters for Union Brigadier General Kenner Garrard during the Civil War and is believed to have been used as a field hospital in 1864. While a Georgia historical marker recognizes the house's significance, the house and property lack protection through local zoning or historic designation.

“The property has been for sale for many years, so potential plans to develop the site have long-threaten the house's existence,” says Trevor Beemon, Executive Director at Cobb Landmarks. “Through the years we have consistently advocated for the house's preservation by attending Planning Commission meetings, meeting with county commissioners, and, for several years, attempted to find a way to relocate the house,” said Beemon. In 2020, Cobb Landmarks went as far as inviting structural engineers and house movers to inspect and evaluate the house. Each confirmed that the house was a good candidate for relocation. And while Cobb Landmarks hoped to find a way to get the house off of the property, efforts to reach an agreement with the current owner were unsuccessful, until now. 

“After years of faithful negotiations, the current owner of the house has agreed to transfer it to Cobb Landmarks, allowing us the opportunity to in-turn sell the house for $1.00 (USD) to an individual or organization willing to relocate it to a new site,” shared Beemon. “Furthermore, the buyer and developer of the property have agreed to allow us until May 15, 2025 to find a new home for the structure.”

Through an application process, Cobb Landmarks is seeking individuals and organizations interested in relocating and restoring the house. The house is being offered for $1.00 (USD) to the applicant with the most compelling submission. In order to be considered, interested parties must complete an online questionnaire. Applications will be evaluated by a committee consisting of Cobb Landmarks trustees, realtors, and construction and engineering professionals. Applications must be received by January 17, 2025 to be considered. The selected applicant will be notified by January 31, 2025. From there, the selected applicant will have until May 15, 2025 to remove the structure from the property. 

Once moved, Cobb Landmarks will require the house to be protected by a preservation easement to ensure the exterior will retain its historic integrity and that the house will be protected from demolition moving forward. Those wishing to apply are encouraged to visit cobblandmarks.com/mcafee. Those interested in seeing the McAfee House must first secure permission from Cobb Landmarks as the property is still privately owned. To protect the property and its historical significance, unauthorized entry is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action by the property owner.

​This week the Power-Jackson Cabin was successfully tagged, disassembled, and moved to Hyde Farm Park. The relocation was made possible thanks to generous donations totaling $70,000 from individuals in our community. The Power-Jackson Cabin is a rare single-pen log house that recently faced threats of neglect and site development. Cobb Landmarks has been instrumental in advocating for the Power-Jackson Cabin's preservation. Our efforts included meeting with Cobb County Commissioners, speaking at Cobb County Planning Commission Zoning Hearings, and securing an expert evaluation of the cabin. After acquiring the cabin from the property owner, Cobb Landmarks and Cobb County PARKS reached an agreement in 2023 to relocate the cabin to Hyde Farm Park. On April 9, 2024, the Cobb County Board of Commissioners approved the use of Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds to reconstruct the cabin at Hyde Farm Park. Now that the relocation is complete, Cobb County PARKS will undertake the cabin's reconstruction and restoration.

Why Hyde Farm Park?
Hyde Farm was originally settled by James Cooper Power in the 1830s. His log cabin still stands there today. Nearby is another cabin that belonged to George Abner Power. By moving the Power-Jackson Cabin to Hyde Farm, we can create a special place where visitors can see three cabins from the same family.

Potential Oldest Structure in Cobb County
Evidence suggests that the Power-Jackson Cabin may predate the Cherokee Land Lottery, making it the oldest existing structure in Cobb County. To confirm this, Cobb Landmarks has engaged the University of West Georgia to conduct dendrochronology, the study of tree rings. By dating the tree rings, we can determine when the trees were cut down for the cabin's construction. This research is part of our ongoing commitment to understanding and preserving this historic landmark.

Addressing Potential Graves
We are aware of reports of 19th-century graves on the Power-Jackson Cabin property. While their exact location remains uncertain, we took precautions to avoid disturbing the suspected burial area during the disassembly of the cabin. We support future efforts by the property owner to locate any graves on the site, ensuring compliance with necessary regulations and easements. This will be crucial when the developer submits a zoning application for the site in the future.

A Community Effort
We extend our sincere gratitude to the Cobb County Board of Commissioners, Cobb County PARKS, and our generous donors for their support in preserving the Power-Jackson Cabin for the education and enjoyment of current and future Cobb County visitors and residents. We will keep our donors and the community updated as this project progresses. 

On May 9th, community leaders and Cobb Landmarks members gathered in Acworth to celebrate our 50th anniversary. Below are some photos from the event and a message from our Executive Director. 

A letter from our Executive Director:

​Reflecting on the 50th anniversary of Cobb Landmarks has been bittersweet in many ways. It has given me an opportunity to read old issues of The Landmarker, to comb through photos of past Cobb Landmarks events and early Root House restoration photos, and to consider all the individuals who have contributed to Cobb Landmarks’ success - including those who are no longer with us. 

I’ve said before that Cobb Landmarks is about community, and I still believe it. Cobb Landmarks members are part of a community of people who believe in the power of storytelling, education, and the preservation of our built environment. Our mission is a noble one: to share the stories and preserve the places that form our community for the benefit of current and future generations. 

Our work provides the added benefit of helping people build relationships and make connections along the way. For many staff members, volunteers, and supporters, Cobb Landmarks is where they come to meet friends, socialize, make memories, and continue their lifelong journey of learning. The relationships built at Cobb Landmarks enrich our lives and make the spaces we operate, like the William Root House, much more significant than simple relics of the past. How wonderful it is to see students playing in the Root House garden, or to see a young couple recite their vows on the porch of the Manning Cabin! Of all of our accomplishments, building community is probably our most venerable.

It’s been an honor to lead this organization the past ten years. I feel Cobb Landmarks is stronger, more active, and more vibrant than ever, and while it’s thanks in large part to the tireless work of our staff, volunteers, and supporters today, we would have no ground to build upon were it not for those who laid the foundation before us. We are indebted to them and to you. Thank you for your support!

​Sincerely,
Trevor Beemon
Executive Director, Cobb Landmarks & Historical Society, Inc.

Cobb Landmarks has engaged the University of West Georgia to perform dendrochronology (the study of tree rings) on logs at the Power-Jackson Cabin. Dating the tree rings (also called growth rings) to the year they were formed may help determine when the trees were cut down to construct the cabin. This is part of our ongoing effort to better understand and preserve the cabin. ​

The Trustees of Cobb Landmarks & Historical Society, Inc. would like to extend our thanks to Trevor Beemon on the outstanding leadership that he is giving our organization. Trevor has led us through a tremendous period of growth, and his continued leadership and vision are vital to Cobb Landmarks' ability to fulfill our mission. Thank you, Trevor, from a very appreciative Board of Trustees. ​

​The Power-Jackson Cabin currently stands on private property on Post Oak Tritt Road in the eastern part of Cobb County. It is one of the last examples of a single-pen (one-room) log house remaining in Cobb County. The cabin was owned by William Power and was given to his daughter, Martha Jane, and her husband, Jeptha C. Jackson, between 1840 and 1850. Evidence suggests the cabin pre-dates the Cherokee Land Lottery, which could make it the oldest existing structure in Cobb County. Volunteer researchers are currently reviewing 1834 property claims in an attempt to identify the original owner.

In addition to possibly being the oldest structure remaining in Cobb County, the cabin is also a rare example of what is referred to as a rived log house. With rived logs, the logs are not hewn. Instead, the logs are split, leaving the rounded surface on the exterior and a smooth flat surface on the interior. This type of construction was used with large trees so that each tree produced two logs. It is a rare type of construction which makes the Power-Jackson Cabin truly unique.

Today the cabin is threatened by both prolonged neglect and site development. Cobb Landmarks & Historical Society, Inc. (Cobb Landmarks) has for many years advocated for the long-term preservation of the cabin. Recent efforts have included meeting with Cobb County Commissioners, speaking at Cobb County Planning Commission Zoning Hearings, and helping arrange for acclaimed log cabin expert Vic Hood to evaluate the cabin. The purpose of Hood’s visit was to determine if the cabin could be saved and the scope of work a restoration project might entail. Hood determined the cabin is still salvageable, but that time is running out.
​
Cobb Landmarks has recently been in conversation with the cabin owner, Cobb County, and the Cobb County Historic Preservation Planner about relocating the cabin to Hyde Farm Park. The park is located roughly six miles away from the current location of the cabin. Hyde Farm presents a wonderful opportunity for a number of reasons, including the presence of two additional Power family cabins.

Hyde Farm was originally settled by James Cooper Power during the 1830s. His cabin still stands, though it is now concealed inside the Hyde farmhouse, which was constructed around the cabin during the 1920s. Hyde Farm is owned by Cobb County. The historic structures on the site have been meticulously restored using Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds and the property is open to the public as a passive park. Adjacent to Hyde Farm is another historic property with a Power family cabin. This property includes a cabin believed to have been built by George Abner Power about 1843. Power family descendants owned the property until 1996, when it was conveyed to the Trust for Public Land. The cabin and 2.5 acres of land were donated to Cobb Landmarks in 1999. Cobb Landmarks maintains the cabin and organizes tours of the property. Having the Power-Jackson Cabin join her sibling cabins at Hyde Farm creates a unique opportunity for the public to view three pioneer log cabins that, at one time, all belonged to members of the same family.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Cobb County PARKS has had discussions with the district commissioner to possibly use Hyde Farm 2016 SPLOST funding to restore the cabin, with Board of Commissioners approval. Commissioner Jerica Richardson believes this to be a worthwhile investment to the community. With approval of restoration, Cobb PARKS would be responsible for maintaining the cabin in perpetuity. Private funds must be raised to pay for the disassembly, tagging, and relocation of the logs, but once the cabin is transferred to Cobb County PARKS, SPLOST funds could be used to reconstruct and restore the cabin. The cost to relocate the cabin is roughly $65,000 and the cost to restore the cabin is roughly $300,000. This partnership between Cobb Landmarks and Cobb County PARKS represents a meaningful and significant investment in the preservation of local history and offers a path for the rescue and protection of the Power-Jackson Cabin. 

Learn more and make a donation here. 

​Bridger Properties has a mixed-use development planned for a site adjacent to the William Root House, Marietta Square Market, and Marietta Station. The plan has elicited many opinions. Cobb Landmarks staff, with the blessing of the Co-Chairs of the Board of Trustees, would like to share our understanding of the process to date, as well as our concerns moving forward.

The first design proposed by Bridger was denied Spring 2023 by the Historic Board and City Council for failing to comply with Historic Board of Review guidelines. Bridger was then prompted to release a public survey asking for input from the community for a new design.
​

• Bridger hosted a productive town hall meeting (which had 70+ RSVPs).
• Bridger met with community stakeholders, including Cobb Landmarks, to obtain feedback throughout the redesign process.
• Cobb Landmarks led Bridger through an in-depth study of local and regional historic buildings. The currently proposed redesign reflects various elements found during this exercise.
• One such element is the proposed Denmead Alley, which would create an appealing 19th century-style streetscape environment that is sympathetic to the circa 1840s William Root House.
• From Cobb Landmarks’ understanding, the current proposal strictly adheres to Historic Board of Review guidelines. As such, the reason(s) for the Historic Board’s denial of Bridger’s application is unclear to Cobb Landmarks.
• If the concern is parking and traffic, Cobb Landmarks would like to note that the developer is not responsible for pre-existing zoning and ordinances that allow for the scale and type of project proposed. Furthermore, a recent parking study completed by the city indicates an excess of parking around the Marietta Square at any given time.

If City Council were to reject the proposed plan, Cobb Landmarks understands that the only means of appeal for Bridger would be legal action. Should litigation ensue, Cobb Landmarks is concerned that if Bridger prevailed, they would no longer utilize any of the historical elements currently proposed and could instead construct a development which is not sympathetic with the surrounding historic area.

In conclusion, Cobb Landmarks staff worked closely with Bridger representatives and their architect throughout the redesign of this project. We valued the opportunity to meet and consult with them and appreciate their sincere effort to please the community. In our experience, Bridger has been more than accommodating as they have attempted to create a design that meets historic guidelines, zoning, and ordinances.
​