Better known today as the Wisenbaker-Wells-Roberts House, or more commonly the Roberts House, this grand Victorian was nearly lost to fire in 2011. But thanks to an expert restoration led by the Valdosta Heritage Foundation and architect J. Glenn Gregory, it rose from the ashes.
In 1840, twenty years before Valdosta’s establishment, William E. Wisenbaker settled in Lowndes County and built this house. It was a country home then, but when a railroad first came to the area in the late 1850s and bypassed the nearby county seat of Troupville, a decision was made to move the county seat to be near the rail line. In 1859, Wisenbaker sold 125 acres to the Lowndes County Commission that would become the city of Valdosta in 1860.
In 1863, Wisenbaker sold the house to J. W. Wells, an early Valdosta mayor. In 1891, John Taylor Roberts, purchased the home. He was a long-serving mayor of the city, as well. His family lived here for over a century and in the 1990s, his descendants donated the property to the Heritage Foundation.
Fairview Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
The only William E. (Eugene) Wisenbaker in my ancestry was my Father, 1921-1977. My research, along with my Mother’s, indicates that William B. Wisenbaker built the Valdosta house.
Kathryn Wisenbaker Strickland
The Pendleton Geneology site is not valid. I would appreciate old pictures of the home if they are available.
I am a relative of William Wisenbaker and would like more information on this house. Specifically pictures from the original home when it was built in 1845 if they are available, or photos while Mr Wisenbaker owned it. Thank you in advance!
You may want to update this. The house has undergone extinctive renovations if you need pictures I have them! Some of my family members where raised in this house and they are constant about keeping up with all updates and one of the older cousins where raised in this house along with her daughter. The house has been in the family for years. If you need any info our family has a Genology page http://www.pendletongenologypost.Com and if you will search for the ” big house” you can find some better photos!