When historic buildings are torn down or allowed to deteriorate, a part of the past disappears forever. When that happens, individuals lose the opportunity to have physical contact with the places where the region’s identity was established and community’s character was shaped. Below are some of the historic sites Cobb Landmarks has been working to preserve. Join us in our efforts!
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Nominate a PropertyDo you know of an irreplaceable historic building or site that is in danger of being lost? This is your opportunity to help save it! The Cobb Landmarks Preservation Priorities program identifies Cobb County historic sites facing real threats like demolition, neglect, lack of maintenance, or development.
Nominations for the 2020 Preservation Priorities list are now being accepted. Nomination forms must be received by March 15, 2020. |
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Priority
Acworth Christian Church c. 1875 Acworth Christian Church was founded in 1858. The original structure was located on Mitchell Hill near downtown Acworth. After the Civil War, the present building was erected in 1875. Modifications made to the building have significantly altered its appearance, and a lack of maintenance over the years has led to deterioration of the structural integrity of the building. Cobb Landmarks will partner with the Save Acworth History Foundation to find ways to stabilize the structure and find a long-term solution for its future. |
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Success
Acworth Smokehouse c. 1850 This smokehouse was originally located near Main Street in downtown Acworth. Scheduled for demolition, the smokehouse was dismantled and placed into storage. Insurance records from the 19th century indicate that a smokehouse used to stand behind the Root House. Cobb Landmarks used the bricks from this smokehouse to reconstruct a smokehouse at the Root House Museum. |
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Watchlist
Bethel AME Church Acworth, c. 1880 Home to a small African American congregation, this church structure is threatened by lack of funding for repairs. The building is listed in the Acworth and National Registers of Historic Places. Cobb Landmarks will continue to work with local entities to promote preservation of this historic church. |
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Success
Bostwick-Fraser House Frasier Street, c. 1844 One of the most historic structures in Marietta, the house was threatened when its access was restricted by street changes. It was on the original Preservation Priorities list in 2008 and was sold later that year, preserved, and developed into law offices. Cobb Landmarks consulted with the owners about preservation techniques. |
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Watchlist
Brushy Mountain Trenches U. S. 41 at White Circle, 1864 Part of an extensive line of trenches dug for the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, these earthworks are in private ownership and are threatened by future development. Cobb Landmarks will attempt to communicate with owners to preserve the trenches as part of parks or green space. |
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Success
Carrie-Dyer House Acworth, c. 1850 The Carrie Dyer Reading Club was established in Acworth in 1898. In 1910, the group purchased a c. 1850 house in downtown Acworth for use as a clubhouse. The Carrie Dyer Reading Club operated a library in the home until 1963 when it returned to residential use. After decades of neglect, the home was purchased by a developer and plans were drawn up in 2017 to replace it with a modern structure. Cobb Landmarks worked with the City of Acworth to ensure that the original front rooms and facade of the home were retained. The home was remodeled and enlarged for a modern buyer. |
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Success
Cheney-Newcomer House Powder Springs Road, c. 1856 This Greek Revival plantation house was built by Andrew Jackson Cheney. The house was used by Union Maj. Gen. John M. Schofield during the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain in 1864. The exterior was stabilized but the interior needed rehabilitation. The house was owned by the Cobb Preservation Foundation and Cobb Landmarks helped to successfully promote its sale and preservation. |
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Success
Concord Covered Bridge Smyrna, c. 1872 Built in 1872, it is the only covered bridge still in use on a public highway in the metropolitan Atlanta area. The bridge was hit by a vehicle October 2016 and had been leaning since. In 2017, the Cobb DOT has constructed a floating steel frame inside the bridge to correct the leaning and strengthen the bridge. |
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Success
Cowen Farmstead Acworth, c.1854 Donated by the Acworth Society for Historic Preservation to the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation in 2005 with assistance from Cobb Landmarks, the house's exterior was stabilized by the Georgia Trust, and the property was handled by its Endangered Properties Revolving Fund Program. In March 2009, Integrated Science Technology, an environmental engineering firm, purchased the house for its corporate headquarters. |
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Success
Lemon Street Grammar School Marietta, c. 1950 After several meetings and discussions with Marietta City Schools, Cobb Landmarks is happy to share that the Lemon Street Grammar School will be returned to its original use: educating Marietta's students. Marietta City Schools plans to preserve the building's exterior and key architectural features while rehabilitating the interior, making it conducive to a modern learning environment. The building is slated to open in 2021 as the new home to the Marietta Performance Learning Center, a division of Marietta High School. |
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Success
Logan Farmhouse Acworth, c. 1850 In 2017 the City of Acworth completed restoration of this Civil War-era farmhouse. It's the centerpiece of their 120-acre Logan Farm Park. Cobb Landmarks offered preservation consultation and partnered with the city to furnish the home with pieces reflecting the period and style of the home. The home is available for events. |
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Success
Hyde Farm East Cobb, c. 1850 Built in the mid 19th century and farmed until the 1990s, Hyde Farm is owned by Cobb County and the National Park Service. Cobb Landmarks recently bestowed a restricted donation from the Trust for Public Land to be used for the rehabilitation of the Hyde Farm barn. |
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Success
Martin Slaughter House Marietta, c. 1850 Marietta's c. 1845 Martin Slaughter House was recently at risk of being demolished. After a rewarding discussion with the developer, Traton Homes, plans were revised so that the house can remain as part of the new residential community. Furthermore, Traton now plans to rehabilitate the house as a private residence. Cobb Landmarks will provide recommendations for preserving historically significant aspects of the house. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Slaughter House is one of only a few remaining homes in Marietta dating back to the 1840s. The importance of saving and preserving this home cannot be understated. |
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Watchlist
Nesbitt/Union Chapel Ruins Powder Springs Road, c. 1880 Only a portion of one wall remains standing on a wooded site four miles from Marietta. The Cobb County Board of Commissioners owns the property as trustees, and Friends of Nesbitt-Union Chapel are active advocates for its preservation. Cobb Landmarks will work with the Friends group to pursue a fence around the site to protect it until a longer range plan is developed by and with the County. |
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Success
New Friendship Baptist Church Powder Springs, c. 1890 Constructed in the 1890s, the church is a great example of rural African-American church architecture and construction. Founded in 1881 by Reverend Alexander Penn, it is one of the oldest African-American churches in Cobb County. The church was approved for listing in the Cobb Register of Historic Places by the Board of Commissioners on February 28, 2017. |
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Success
Power Cabin East Cobb, c. 1843 Located on a hillside above the Chattahoochee River, this cabin is believed to have been built by George Abner Power about 1843. It is one of the county’s few remaining log cabins. The cabin is used for special programs and events hosted by Cobb Landmarks. The cabin is currently not open for public tours. |
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Priority
Robert McAfee House Marietta, c. 1840 The McAfee House was constructed on Bells Ferry Road for Robert McAfee during the 1840s. Used as a headquarters for Brigadier General Kenner Garrard during the Civil War, the house is now the oldest structure remaining in the densely developed Kennesaw/Town Center area. Cobb Landmarks is keeping a close eye on the property. |
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Success
Rosenwald School Acworth, c. 1925 Using a grant from the Lowe's Foundation, and in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Cobb Landmarks managed the renovation of this historic school for continued use as a community center. The Acworth community also provided architectural and financial resources to complete the project in 2009. |
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Watchlist
Tannery Ruins Kennesaw Avenue, Marietta, c. 1840 Cobb Landmarks is helping raise awareness about Marietta's historic Glover-Wilder Tannery on Kennesaw Avenue and is advocating for the preservation of the property, which may be purchased by the City of Marietta using SPLOST funds. |
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Watchlist
Wallis House Burnt Hickory Road, Marietta, c. 1853 Built by Josiah Wallis, the house remained in the family until 2003, when it was purchased by Cobb County. It was used by both sides in the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. A proposal to add the house to the National Park has been approved and Cobb Landmarks will continue to promote the long term preservation of the site. |
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Loss
Fitzhugh Lee School Atlanta Road, c. 1930 Demolished for a residential development. Cobb Landmarks worked to create a detailed photographic record of the structure and a written history. |
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Watchlist
Marietta City Waterworks Building Sessions Street, c. 1910 The building is an L-shaped one story brick structure with Neoclassical Revival elements in its windows and doors. In 2011 it was designated a local historic landmark by the Marietta Historic Preservation Commission, and this action was ratified by the Marietta City Council. The building is now used for storage. Cobb Landmarks will encourage the city to protect the wood elements of the building, remove and replace non-historic elements, and work toward a plan for adaptive use. |
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Watchlist
Old First Methodist Church Building Atlanta Road, Marietta, c. 1848 After housing FUMC for 50 years, the building was converted to an opera house, back to a church, to an auto dealership, and to a lighting store. Now in private ownership, the building is for sale. Cobb Landmarks will promote the building's history and encourage any subsequent owner to preserve it as a landmark of early Marietta. |
