My first guess was that this originally served as an auto dealership or garage, but I’m not sure. Either way, it’s a great example of early-20th-century commercial architecture and I hope it is preserved.
Sparta Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Sparta Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Robert West Alston built this grand home around 1817. It was originally a simply vernacular form, facing Short Street, but was remodeled shortly before the Civil War by Captain Richard Bolling Baxter, with the present porch added to face Maiden Lane. J. H. Burnet bought the house around 1830. Charles Whitehead and the Robert Wiley family have been some of the home’s other owners. It’s commonly known as the Alston-Wiley House.
Sparta Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
According to Nancy Stephens, who once owned this house, it was built circa 1815 by Thomas Whaley in the Federal style. It was purchased in 1853 by Dr. Edmund Monroe Pendleton (1816-27 January 1884), who expanded it. Pendleton was a graduate of the South Carolina Medical College and a local physician. He was also an entrepreneur and developed the Pendleton Formula, which made use of animal matter as fertilizer. After leaving Sparta, Dr Graves served as chair of the Agriculture Department at the University of Georgia (1872-1877).
Entrepreneur and banker Richard Augustus Graves (11 July 1848-27 December 1901) bought the house in 1880 and modified it to its present Victorian appearance. A native of Burke County, he came to Sparta from Augusta and ran a successful retail store before becoming a banker in 1887. He served as chairman of the county commission and vice president of the Georgia Bankers’ Association.
The house is presently unoccupied.
Sparta Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
This Carpenter Gothic barn was built by a Mr. Stone for the Graves family around 1890. It’s been a local favorite ever since and is an ongoing restoration project of the Sparta-Hancock County Historical Society.
The ornamental scroll work makes the barn a unique treasure, especially in an urban setting. Barns were common in towns a hundred years ago, but to have one of this caliber survive the years is a real wonder.
Sparta Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Sparta is full of architectural gems and this Carpenter Gothic landmark is one of my favorite houses in this town. It is thought to have been built by Olney Ethridge. It was purchased by Charles DuBose around 1856 and was owned by his descendants until 1944.
Sparta Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Sparta Historic District, National Register of Historic District
I was really grateful for all the messages I received on Monday regarding the loss of this historic courthouse. It was amazing how people with no ties to the county felt the need to reach out. Apparently, a fire began around 3AM Monday morning and though first thought to be arson, it is now suspected that a random electrical event may have triggered the conflagration. Deborah Clayton wrote me this morning to say that her cousin and good friend, Hancock County Chairwoman Helen G. “Sistie” Hudson, was confident that the courthouse will be rebuilt as it was fully insured. The Georgia Archives is sending in a disaster recovery team as all records were in the vault and since it wasn’t properly closed much conservation will be needed. A rebuild won’t replace the original, but it shows the resolve of the entire community when it comes to their historic resources.
It’s been suggested that a “new” brick facade was placed on the exterior in the 1950s, but architect Ben Carter writes: “The exterior brick is the original pressed brick brought in from Madison. Parkins and Bruce later Bruce and Morgan always used the highest quality face brick and tight mortar joints with high quality mortar. The Hancock Courthouse has the same brick on the Bruce courthouses in Walton and Covington and all the many others. Her Majesty was certainly not refaced in 1950. The structure performed as Mr. Bruce would have hoped in case of fire. The joist had fire cuts to allow wood to fall inward to preserve the brick structure. The most important portions remain and the Building will restored.“
This Second Empire courthouse is Hancock County’s fourth. It was designed by the firm of Parkins and Bruce and was restored in the 1970s. Sparta has been the seat of Hancock County since 1797.
[The courthouse burned in 2014 and was completely rebuilt].
Sparta Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Begun around 1829 by Robert Sayre, this house was owned by the Alford family for many years. After a long period of decline, the landmark has recently been purchased with an eye on its preservation. (As of late 2015, this house has been restored by architect Ben Carter. I’ll get photos of the restoration the next time I’m in the area).
Sparta Historic District, National Register of Historic Places