Cobb landmarks Announces 2023 Preservation Award Recipients

J.C. Bankston Rock House
Dobbins Air Reserve Base/US Department of the Air Force
Preservation Award
The Bankston Rock House was built by J.C. Bankston and his sons during the late 1930s. The house is constructed of hollow-core brick tile veneered with uncut fieldstone. The house is one of the only structures surviving from the time period before the land was acquired by the United States Army during World War II. Cobb Landmarks recognizes Dobbins Air Reserve Base and the US Department of the Air Force for their continued stewardship of this exceptional example of stone masonry construction. 

Acworth Rosenwald School
City of Acworth
Preservation Award
Acworth’s Rosenwald School was constructed during the 1920s when local schools were still segregated by race. At the time, Julius Rosenwald, part-owner of Sears, Roebuck & Company, offered grants to build schools for Black students throughout the South. He required the community to match the funds. Thirty years after it was constructed, the school was threatened by demolition. The community came together to disassemble the building and rebuild it where it currently stands for use as a community center. In the early 2000s Cobb Landmarks was awarded a grant through the Lowe's Foundation and the National Trust for Historic Preservation to make much-needed repairs to the aging structure. Recently, the City of Acworth completed a top-to-bottom renovation of the school building. Cobb Landmarks would like to recognize the City of Acworth for faithfully maintaining and renovating of this important landmark.

Lemon Street Grammar School
Marietta City Schools
Preservation Award
In 2019 Cobb Landmarks met with Marietta City Schools to discuss the uncertain future of the c. 1950 Lemon Street Grammar School. The district needed more space, and the old Grammar School building was mostly abandoned and in need of substantial upgrades and repairs. After an extensive rehabilitation, Lemon Street Grammar School was returned to its original use: educating Marietta's students. Marietta City Schools worked to preserve the building's exterior and key architectural features while rehabilitating the interior, making it conducive to a modern learning environment. The school reopened in 2021. Inside, exhibit panels tell the story of the once-segregated school system, while outdoor interpretive panels focus on the history of the surrounding community. Cobb Landmarks would like to recognize Marietta City Schools for investing in the rehabilitation of the Lemon Street Grammar School and for working to share the history of the school and community with the people of Marietta. 

First Baptist Church Marietta
Preservation Award
Completed in 1897, the First Baptist Church Chapel is constructed of Georgia granite and marble. Designed in the Victorian-Gothic style, the historic structure retains many original features, including wood trim, curved oak pews, chandeliers, and stained glass windows. During the 1960s the original bell tower was removed because of structural concerns. First Baptist Church Marietta began a multi-million-dollar renovation of the campus in 2019. The project included structural repairs, waterproofing, abatement, stained glass window restoration, and reconstruction of the previously removed bell tower. Cobb Landmarks would like to recognize First Baptist Church Marietta for preserving their historic structures and would like to thank members of the Grateful First Campaign who worked to make the project possible. 

Katie Stieber 
Volunteer of the Year
Each year Cobb Landmarks recognizes an individual for exceptional commitment of time and energy to the organization. This year we are happy to honor Katie Steiber for her continued support of the Marietta Pilgrimage, our largest annual fundraising event. Katie has been a member of the Marietta Pilgrimage Committee for several years, but in the days leading up to the 2022 tour she went above and beyond to ensure its success. Each day that week, after completing her work day, she checked in with homeowners and helped them prepare their homes for the tour. Tasks she voluntarily took on included getting pine straw, hanging shower curtains, wrapping fake gift boxes, and climbing ladders to touch up exterior paint. All of this was completed outside her regular responsibilities as a committee member. Cobb Landmarks is so thankful for Katie’s commitment to the Marietta Pilgrimage and offers this award to her as a token of our gratitude.