Friday, March 27, 2015

Sherrill House, c. 1907, Forsyth County, GA

Old Federal Road, photographer facing SE

 Located in northwestern Forsyth County, Georgia, the Sherrill House is a great example of what an active  historical society can accomplish with regard to preservation. As part of the northern Metro Atlanta area, Forsyth County is one of the fastest growing counties in the country. The nature of development is to cram as much housing as is possible, usually building homes on half-acre lots. Most often than not this is done without regard to older structures, as it doesn't always make economical sense for a developer to consider pouring money into an old home.
Renovation began in 2013

Occupied by the family until the late 70s or early 80s, the home became rental property until the mid 90s. Since that time, the home sat vacant for about twenty years. As part of 225 acres that the county purchased in 2009 to become Eagle's Beak Park, the house will be renovated and turned into the Native American and Pioneer Heritage Center. 

Photographer facing west
Some historians believe that the property was the site of a Cherokee Indian settlement in the 1700s, and that the tavern where Cherokee leader James Vann was killed was also located on what is now part of the park. The tavern was relocated to the Cumming Fairgrounds as part of the Indian Village display.

A success story in the making, the Forsyth County Historical Society can still use volunteers for work sessions at the site, or monetary donations to go towards the renovation. Please see the following links for more information about this project.

Forsyth News Article

Sherrill House/Hightower/Frogtown Facebook Page

6 comments:

  1. It was lived in after the 1990's. Doug Bryson made it livable after it had been trashed and abandoned. He did the work around 1997-98. He lived there til around 2007-08. The tavern was still across the street. I had the privilege of touring it then.

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  2. Good information to know. I would have loved to have seen the tavern in its original location. Thank you for the comment!

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  3. Eli Sherrill was my grandfather. I was born in the southeast room of the house

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    1. That's really cool I've been learning your family's history I grew up not far from this house. GOD Bless!

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  4. That's really cool I've been learning about the history of your family and find it very interesting. GOD bless!

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  5. I wish the Government would not have taken this over, along with the Land

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