Category Archives: Eatonton GA

Slade Hall, Circa 1853, Eatonton

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As John Linley wrote in The Architecture of Middle Georgia: The Oconee Area, “Greek Revival architecture seems to have reached a certain perfection in [this] house.” Originally thought to have been built circa 1836, research now indicates that construction took place between 1852-1854. It was built for Daniel & Elizabeth Trippe Slade. Slade came to Eatonton from Litchfield, Connecticut, around 1828 and after a brief teaching career operated a successful mercantile business for many years. The house was sold to a local judge, named Wingfield, around the turn of the last century and his family remained there until 1975.

Eatonton Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Tunison-Paschal-Sammons House, Circa 1855, Eatonton

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This house has intrigued me ever since I first saw it on the cover of John Linley’s The Architecture of Middle Georgia: The Oconee Area many years ago. Linley was able to get a better photograph, as the front yard was less overgrown at the time, but it still looks great.

It was built in the Greek Revival style by Tunis Tunison, who with James Morrison Broadfield built Temperance Hall, the first two-story brick structure in Eatonton, in 1849. Tunison lost the house to William Paschal in a sheriff’s sale around 1860. It’s unclear when the front tower was added, but some sources suggest as early as 1858; others suggest the 1870s. I’m still not even sure as to the provenance of ownership, which varies greatly in sources.

Eatonton Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Uncle Remus Museum, 1963, Eatonton

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Constructed from derelict slave dwellings, the Uncle Remus Museum opened in Eatonton in 1963. Its location, Turner Park, was the boyhood homeplace of Joseph Sidney Turner, the inspiration for the “little boy” to whom “Uncle Remus” relayed all his critter stories in Uncle Remus: His Songs and His Sayings (1880) and later works. Turner’s father, Joseph Addison Turner, owned Turnwold Plantation where Harris apprenticed as a teenager during the Civil War. A reconstructed blacksmith shop is also located in the park.

Carvings of many of the animal characters populate the grounds, which are a delight to walk around. These wood sculptures by Chris Lantz are a wonderful addition to the property. And forgive me if I confuse Bre’r Fox and Bre’r Wolf.

Bre’r Fox

Bre’r Wolf

Bre’r Bear

Bre’r Tarrypin

And last, but certainly not least, Bre’r Rabbit.

A statue, like the one on the Putnam County courthouse lawn, is also located on the grounds. It suffered a stolen ear and pipe a few years ago, but was restored.

Adams-Hearn-Hume House, Circa 1856, Eatonton

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Owners of this beautifully proportioned house have included John L. Adams, Howell Hearn, and Ben Hume. William Suther was the builder.

Eatonton Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Walton-Carpenter-Bledsoe-McClain House, 1909, Eatonton

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Eatonton Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Abercrombie-Rosser-Hood House, Circa 1818, Eatonton

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Moved from a nearby location in 1858, this is one of Eatonton’s earliest surviving houses. A simple frame structure reminiscent of the Plantation Plain style, its elevation, chimneys, and eave returns give it a more Federal appearance. The thin Victorian porch posts are obviously a later addition.

Eatonton Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Panola Hall, 1854, Eatonton

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Built by Henry and Elizabeth Perry Tripp, Panola Hall is one of the most iconic houses in Eatonton and among Georgia’s most impressive Greek Revival landmarks. In 1891 the house was purchased by Dr. Benjamin Hunt. Dr. Hunt, a native New Yorker, moved to Putnam County after his marriage to Louisa Prudden of Eatonton. The Hunts made some Victorian changes in the structure as well as conducted general restoration of the house. In 1922 Mr. Hunt was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Georgia, Doctor of Science, for his experiments in dairy farming and botany. Many of his rare plants are still thriving on the grounds. In 1946 the house was owned by M.L. Liles. The house remained in the Liles family until 1981 when it was purchased by Dr. Robert Lott. Dr. Philip Hammond bought the house in 1996.

A local legend maintains the house hosts a ghost named Sylvia, who usually appears as a shy silent woman with dark hair and a white skirt. She’s been reported in the second floor hallway, a bedroom, and occasionally peering out the living room window.

Eatonton Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Julius Gerdings House, 1850, Eatonton

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Also referred to as the Gerdings-Young House, this iconic Greek Revival cottage and the adjacent Bledsoe-Greene House are good examples of residential structures built facing town squares.

Eatonton Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Bledsoe-Greene House, Circa 1817, Eatonton

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Early photographs of this house show that myriad changes have been made to it over time, mostly cosmetic with the addition and subsequent removal of a Greek Revival portico. It’s among the oldest known houses in Eatonton and is presently home to the W. F. Jenkins Camp #690, Sons of Confederate Veterans.

Eatonton Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Historic Storefronts, Eatonton

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Jefferson Avenue

These are some good examples, among many, of historic commercial architecture in downtown Eatonton.

Madison Avenue

Eatonton Historic District, National Register of Historic Places