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.
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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.
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• 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.
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