One of the oldest houses and greatest landmarks in Fort Gaines, the home of General John Dill has been expanded and altered over the years. Dill came to Georgia in 1817, as an aide to General Edmund P. Gaines. He was given command of Fort Gaines, a frontier garrison on the Chattahoochee River. Upon the cession of Indian lands in 1826, General Dill retired and became one of the first merchants in Fort Gaines. A successful businessman, General Dill also served Early County as Justice of the Inferior Court, Brigadier General of the Georgia Militia and as an aide to Governor Lumpkin. The house was purchased by Mrs. S. R. Raymur in the 1890s and remodeled to its present Victorian appearance.
Georgia Ashbaugh writes: I never saw this house painted when my great grandmother, Beulah, was alive. It was gray wood and had a rusty iron fence. My great aunt Ruth would rake the sand yard of the falling moss every day. There were always rake marks in the front yard. There were remnants of train tracks to the left of the house. I’m told it was a train stop for fishermen. My mom said that the lunch buffet would have all kinds of salads, but none with lettuce. My mom had the great fortune of going home from school mid day for lunch at the fabulous hotel buffet. The upper porch was in such bad shape in the 60’s, that I was not allowed to step out on it. But, so, of course, I did. Because it was a working hotel, it had these long wooden boxes in the wide upper hallways that held linens for the beds. I was pretty sure the boxes were coffins. Beulah was 96 when I would visit her in the back room to the right. She sewed my dolls for me when I was very young. The first rag doll was white and blue eyed. She had blonde pigtails and a pinafore. Then granny made a bunch of monkey dolls. They were all gray patterned sock dolls with big red lips. She would play the piano, and stand up from the bench and dance a jig. She liked a little nip right up into her 90’s. People said she once had a pet monkey trained to go into the fisherman’s rooms and steal their booze. I believed this because my mom said that monkeys bite. There must have been a monkey.
National Register of Historic Places
Vanishing Georgia: Photographs by Brian Brown 
These families lived in Fort Gaines, Ga. Dating backwards of the 1900s. Looking for info 1845-1975
I am looking for information on the “Dobbins Hotel” as we are looking in to purchasing this property to possibly turn back into original
I was wondering if you was Brian Brown from Indiana. My name is Carole Hoyt I bought the Dill house in 1999 I came with my 6 year old grandson and I raised him in the house someday I’m sure he’ll be telling stories about an old soldier that walks the halls. The people that sleep upstairs gets a wake up call one knock at the door no more. My sister will testify to that she stayed in the same room for a couple of years. I have lots of stories.CV Hoyt
I never saw this house painted when my great grandmother, Beulah was alive. It was gray wood and had a rusty iron fence. My great aunt Ruth would rake the sand yard of the falling moss every day. There were always rake marks in the front yard. There were remnants of train tracks to the left of the house. I’m told it was a train stop for fishermen. My mom said that the lunch buffet would have all kinds of salads, but none with lettuce. My mom had the great fortune of going home from school mid day for lunch at the fabulous hotel buffet. The upper porch was in such bad shape in the 60’s, that I was not allowed to step out on it. But, so, of course, I did. Because it was a working hotel, it had these long wooden boxes in the wide upper hallways that held linens for the beds. I was pretty sure the boxes were coffins. Beulah was 96 when I would visit her in the back room to the right. She sewed my dolls for me when I was very young. The first rag doll was white and blue eyed. She had blonde pigtails and a pinafore. Then granny made a bunch of monkey dolls. They were all gray patterned soc dolls with big red lips. She would play the piano, and stand up from the bench and dance a jig. She liked a little nip right up into her 90’s. People said she once had a pet monkey trained to go into the fisherman’s rooms and steal their booze. I believed this because my mom said that monkeys bite. There must have been a monkey.
General John Dill was my great great uncle. I’ve been through the house and it is very intresting. The whole story is great, somebody needs to make a movie.
I have stayed at this house. I saw some fascinating and unexplainable stuff happen! Most definitely haunted!!
Can people tour the house ??? It would be awesome.
It’s a private residence, I believe.
It is a private residence, it’s my mother in laws.
This house is awesome. I have stayed in this house on numerous ocassions. My Aunt owns this house now. 5 have had connections from the other side. I have had the privelge of seeing Elizabeth and John.
I spoke to the owner, and she said the house was haunted!! She gave me a tour, and it’s stunning! The wainscotting in the dining room was hand
carved on site in 1820. Ghosts or no ghosts, loved it.
I wrote my M.A. thesis on Clay County, and have walked past all these places in Fort Gaines.
I need an excuse to visit Ft. Gaines. Thanks for the pictures.