A comment on the website indicated that the Asa Chandler House had recently been demolished and will be replaced with a gas station. (Update: It’s an Aldi and townhomes, but I digress).
I always try to vet such reports, and, sadly, contact with several people aware of the situation has confirmed that it is indeed a loss, actively being dismantled.
Someone who lives nearby even shared photos of the “work in progress”.
Cate Short notes that the ancillary kitchen was saved and removed, and that some salvage of the architectural features was done, but this was not the outcome anyone who knew this house was hoping for.
No, there was no relation to Asa Candler of the Coca Cola company.
Asa Chandler was from what at the time was Franklin County and is now Hart County. He was a Baptist Preacher at many churches in the area Vans Ctreek Baptist, Falling Creek Baptist and his last pastorate was First Baptist of Elberton he also pastored many other churches in north Georgia as they were mostly traveling preachers in those days. he is buried in the Elmhurst Cemetery in Elberton.
Yes, it’s in the text. Presumably, not everyone reads it…
My grandparents, Thomas Madison Swift, Jr. and Eugenia Christian Swift lived down Petersberg Road from the Chandler House. My grandparents built their house that they called Woodhaven around 1920 and became good friends with their neighbors. I know that the husband of that family was Walter Jones, who was a mail carrier in Elberton. I don’t remember Mrs. Jones first name. They were good friends to my grandparents and the children of both families became friends. The Jones children were Neva Jones, Jannelle Jones McRee and Walter Jones, Jr. Jannelle Jones McRee became an author and published a book in 1986 titled “Down on Cooter’s Creek & Other Stories.”
Although I never lived in Elberton, my grandparents house was like a second home to me because we would spend so much time there with our Mother in the summers. We would always go visit the Joneses in their home. There was a huge beautiful oak tree next to the house. It saddens me to know that it has been torn down. I am grateful for the photos you take to preserve the story of these old homes.
Elberton has plenty of gas stations already. It is sad that this house was not saved. In a small “protest” I wont be buying gas from the station that purchased the property. The city should have prevented this from happening. If nothing else they could have moved the house and offered it free to anyone wanting to take it and remodel it. I have seen such houses listed on the preservation website.
This house belonged to Rev. Asa Chandler. He was pastor in Oglethorpe County at Indian Creek/Bethany Baptist Church.
Well, the state of Georgia does need more gas stations and convenience stores … NOT.
Was this Ada Candler related to the famous Coca Cola Ada Candler?Sent from my iPhone
I was wondering the same thing. I feel like it almost has to be. Would love to know as well.
This was actually Asa Chandler. It does sound very similar, though.
ohhhhh Chandler. I missed that! My brain went immediately to Candler because of the familiarity. Thanks Brian!
very sad!