Georgia Natural Wonder #214 - Seven Springs of Powder Springs. 684

[Top Row Dawg]

Georgia Natural Wonder #214 Seven Springs of Powder Springs

Way down here at Georgia Natural Wonder #214 and we come back to Cobb County for the Seven Springs of Powder Springs.



We have set the precedent for Springs as Natural Wonders in Georgia, having featured them 11 times.

Radium Springs #2


Radium.

Warm Springs #4

Indian Springs #23

Cave Spring #93

Porter Springs #115

Magnolia Springs #118


Magnolia.

Electric Health Resort #130

Lithia Springs #174

Crawfish Springs #195


Crawfish.

Spring Place #203

Watson Springs #211

We explored Cobb County extensively with the 10 mountains of Cobb County.

#131 - Pigeon Hill

#131 - Little Kennesaw Mountain


Pigeon Hill.

#133 - Kennesaw Mountain


Kennesaw Mountain.

#134 - Lost Mountain

#135 - Pine Mountain

#136 - Brushy Mountain

#138 - Cheatham Hill

#141 - Mt. Wilkerson

#143 - Blackjack Mountain

#143 - Sweat Mountain


Sweat Mountain.

In all, we did 17 post on Cobb County including history tangents on Marietta and Civil War activity.

#133 - Marietta - Antebellum (Part 2)

#133 - Marietta - Civil War (Part 3)

#133 - Marietta (Part 4)

#137 - Kolb's Farm

#139 - Nickajack Gorge - Smyrna/Ruff Mill Line


Nickajack Gorge.

#140 - Johnston River Line - Shoupades

#142 - Sope Creek


Sope Creek.

We came down the Chattahoochee along the Cobb County shore and went up Rottenwood Creek.

#183 - Chattahoochee River - Ramblin Raft Race

#184 - Chattahoochee River - Ferries, Cochran Shoals and Powers Island

#185 - Chattahoochee River - Palisades


Palisades.

#186 - Rottenwood Creek


Rottenwood Creek.

Today we wrap up Cobb County with a 22nd Post and a visit to the western wet lands and the Seven Springs of Powder Springs. 



Seven Springs

The history of Powder Springs is the history of the relationship between the people and the seven springs located here. The area was originally part of the Cherokee Indian Nation on the lands of two Cherokee Indian leaders. These seven springs were well known to Indians. The Cherokee and Creek called the site Gunpowder Springs because of the mineral bearing Sulfur and blackish sediment in the springs. The sediment was said to be ‘as dry as powder when the water runoff’. The Indians used the water of the springs for medicinal value. They would bring their sick to the springs to take advantage of the curative power of the minerals.



Pioneers, or white settlers, began settling the area as early as 1819. The village became a center for commerce. The springs were the town’s water supply.



The town was often referred to as The Springs, Springville or Gunpowder Springs. It was not until 1838 that the town had an official name. Gold had been discovered in Georgia ten years earlier, and the first European-American settlers came to find gold. The settlers found little gold in the mines at Lost Mountain and off Brownsville Road. It was at about this time that the Cherokee people were forced off their land and removed to Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River on the Trail of Tears. On December 29, 1838, the town was incorporated as Springville and the first Post Office was established. Then, on December 19, 1859, the town was incorporated as Powder Springs. Powder Springs may have been referred to as Seven Springs at times but was never officially named such. The name was derived from the seven springs in the city limits.



Civil War history includes a skirmish at Lattermore's Mills on June 20, 1864, that was a part of the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain and General Sherman's Atlanta Campaign. Many slaves escaped the plantations in this area to join Sherman's forces and gain freedom.



The water in these springs contains some 26 minerals that turn the surrounding sand black like gunpowder – hence the earlier name of Gunpowder Springs.

I walked the bridge over Powder Creek right by the Spring Pump and I did not see black sand.





MINERALS FOUND IN THE SPRINGS:

Silica, Chlorine, Sulfur, Trioxide, Carbon Dioxide, Sodium Dioxide, Potassium Oxide, Lime, Magnesia, Phosphorus Pent Oxide, Arsenic, Hydrogen Sulphide, Alumina, Ferric Oxide and Lithia. (Information from the Geological Survey of Georgia Bulletin No. 20: A Preliminary Report on the Mineral Springs of Georgia).


Ms. Julia Kilgore at the Seven Spring Museum shows me the powder left in an old jar of evaporated Powder Springs Pump water. She is a slice of living history as she attended the Lemon Street School in Marietta. Lemon Hornets I learned, I love knowing the mascot of all the Georgia schools. 

The water table is very near the surface and there are many springs. All of the springs are small and none of them furnishing more than a gallon a minute.


Real pretty area across the Powder Creek, Passive Recreation Area. Again, I did not see the black sand at the Powder Creek at Powder Springs Park.

Locations Of The Springs

The Spring located in the City of Powder Springs Park by Powder Creek was the most popular. It supplied water for the town of Powder Springs for many years as its only public water supply.


I went looking for the Springs and could not locate any other than the main pump.


Now just on the other side of the road in background, there is this large wetland.



This is more what I had in mind when I choose this as a Natural Wonder.


Just down the hill west of Powder Springs across from the Pump House. All this wetland.

Now the other six springs are hard to find. Let Top Row Dawg be your explorer Guinea Pig on some of these hit and miss hikes. The second spring was suppose to be in the back of the Magnolia House on Marietta Street. This was right next to the Seven Springs Museum (Bodiford House).




I walked all behind this gazebo and there was a paved parking lot. A green wood fence marked off an Ivy filled jungle and I guess this is where the spring is. Talked to fellow cutting grass at house in neighborhood adjacent and he said if there was a spring there, he did not know about it and it was so overgrown he felt lucky to have a fence to hold back the Ivy growth. So dead end finding second spring.

The third spring was suppose to be in the back of the W. R. Tapp House. A white frame house next to The First Baptist Church on Marietta Street. The spring continues behind the church’s sanctuary. Now I found the Tapp House easy enough across the street from the Seven Springs Museum.


New owners restoring home.

Trespassed (but not posted) into back yard but found no spring.


No spring back here.

I gave up trying to find the other four springs. Here are the locations if you want to give it a go. PM me with images if you do find them.

4) Across Highway 278 (Marietta Street) from the Lovinggood house located at the Brownsville Road intersection between the road and the railroad tracts.
5) Near the Southern Railroad (CSX) tracks by Long Street is close to the back of the last baseball field in Powder Springs Park and behind the house of Naomi Marshall.
6) In back of the Service Stations on Marietta Street between New Macland Road and Siniard Street.
7) Located behind the second house west of LaFayette Drive (Florence Estates Subdivision) at 4245 Atlanta Street. This was the former home of Homer Scott (female) and the location of the Powder Springs Academy. The young boys who went there to school considered it an honor of being chosen to bring a bucket of water from the springs for the other students.

Curative Powers and resort

In the 1850s, Powder Springs began the era of being a health resort because of the springs. Doctors prescribed a trip to the springs and treatments of various lengths for patients with serious kidney and bladder diseases, W.R. Tapp, Sr., was told by some of the oldest citizens that there was a hotel and a sanatorium in the park at the spring, that the hotel was destroyed by fire in 1859, and that the sanatorium disappeared in a few years. The Civil War put an end to Powder Springs as a health resort according to an account in the Mableton Mail, July 8, 1961. “The original building was a two-story one at the site of the pump house in the park. It was the town’s club house before the War of 1861 and reconstruction days.” This building could have been the one used as a sanatorium before the hotel burned.



According to Miss Roberta Murray, “In the early days of Springville (Powder Springs) the Pavilion was at the site where the brick pump house now stands in the city park. Powder Creek would overflow after rains and it interfered with the social life so the early settlers and their slaves cut a canal and changed the course of Powder Creek and built the present pavilion before the Civil War.”



From 1880 through the early 1900s, the springs became a popular destination again. the park and spring attracted groups from neighboring communities and from Atlanta for recreational purposes. School groups, clubs and church groups picnicked then enjoyed the dance pavilion, the ball diamond, wading in the shallow water of Powder Creek and fishing in the deeper holes, horseshoe pitching, picking blackberries and other wild fruits, and spreading their lunches in the shade of the trees. The Southern Railroad ran special excursion trains in the summers, beginning in 1882, to Powder Springs. If the picnickers wanted to go riding around the country side, they could go to the Lindley Livery Stable and rent horses, buggies, carriages and wagons.



Political rallies and family reunions were held at the springs. Wheat Street Baptist Church from Atlanta had a picnic there. Local people had dances, wiener roasts, marshmallow toastings, box suppers, community sings and games of various kinds at the park. On Sunday afternoons the spring was a favorite gathering place for the young ladies and gentlemen of the town.



An early ad for a train excursion to Powder Springs:

The Georgia Pacific R. R. Co. And Cincinnati & Georgia R. R. Co.
FIRST EXCURSION Thursday, June 1st, 1882
ATLANTA TO POWDER SPRINGS AND RETURN




Powder Springs Depot, no longer there.

After World War I, the springs were again a center of social activities for many people in the Atlanta area (and not just for the people of Powder Springs). A large swimming pool and dance hall drew many visitors who traveled to Powder Springs via a daily train called, appropriately, “The Accomodation.” As Jewel Hendricks remembers it, Saturday afternoon would mean a trip to the swimming pool and perhaps, if Daddy didn’t forbid it, and sometimes even when he did, a lively dance at the pavilion. There was always a baseball game with spirited competition between the Powder Springs team and surrounding teams. Picnic’s were spread on the grass near the pavilion and everyone enjoyed the springs and their environment.



Through the years the springs and pavilion have continued to be used for ball games, political rallies, holiday celebrations, the first real
swimming pool, various other family activities, reunions and celebrations.



The Springs have been an integral part of the life of the individuals who have made Powder Springs a living community, from the days when the
town was a resort and health retreat to the later prosperity and loss of King Cotton.


Boll Weevil exhibit at Seven Springs Museum.

The springs was always a center of social activity. The popularity of outings to and entertainment at the springs changed over time but never
completely died out.

Seven Springs Museum

The original location of the Seven Springs Historical Society and the Seven Springs Museum (1984-2015) was in the park near the springs. Powder Springs Enterprise, 1983 Sesquicentennial Edition – Sara Frances Miller.



Now the museum is in a new location. The Bodiford Home was purchased by the City of Powder Springs in 2014. It is a two story Queen Anne home with designs of the late 19th century. The original core of the home dates back to the 1800’s. It is now renovated and converted to the Seven Springs Museum. The dedication and grand opening was October 11, 2015.



One of our front rooms is dedicated to a collection of Indian artifacts and Civil War relics that were found in the Powder Springs area. During the Civil War Atlanta Campaign, there were no major battles in Powder Springs, only skirmishes. The Baptist and Methodist churches were torn down and the lumber used to build winter quarters. Both churches rebuilt on the sites where they stand today. There was at one time as many as 16 Civil War generals in Powder Springs.



The kitchen area has items used by the pioneers of Powder Springs, including a Colonial cast iron stove and cookware. Of special interest is a fireless cooker used to cook meals by heating soapstone. The main entrance to the museum contains a brief history of Powder Springs from the time that the Creek & Cherokee Indians occupied the area. The settlers came as early as 1819.



The railroad was a very important part of the development of Powder Springs. What is now the Norfolk Southern Railroad was built in 1882. This is the railroad next to the old museum. The Seaboard Railroad was built in 1905. This is now the Silver Comet Trail. There is a display of items from the Coats & Clark Thread Mill that came to the area in 1931. This gave the economy a boost after the boll weevil devastated the farming community.





One gallery contains several items dating back to the mid-to-late 1800’s. We also have displayed an award winning oral history of the Black Community in Powder Springs developed by the students of the West Georgia College. There is also an area devoted to the founder of the museum, Miss Sarah Frances Miller (1918-2002).


Her wedding dress and a glass brick from old Cobb County Courthouse.

Displayed in the Carriage House and backyard is farm equipment used by the farming community in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.



We found these other wetlands inside the City limits of Powder Springs.





Springs and Wetlands Georgia Natural Wonders in West Cobb County.



Powder Springs

We turn to history tangent on Powder Springs. Powder Springs is a city in Cobb County, Georgia, United States. The population was 13,940 at the 2010 census, with an estimated population for 2019 of 15,758.



In 2015, the city elected its first black mayor, Al Thurman. He was the first African-American to be elected as a mayor in Cobb County, but was one of several elected in small towns in Georgia in 2015.



Located 25 miles northwest of Atlanta, Powder Springs is your hometown destination for outdoor family fun and recreation. Our beautiful historic downtown and Old Towne Square is host to events, concerts, shopping, and has connecting trails and routes to the popular Silver Comet Trail.



Other Powder Springs attractions include: the Southern Quilt Trail, the Seven Springs Museum, and the nationally known Cobb County BMX park.


Man this bike track is wild. Come right out and ride it. Only rule is you have to wear a helmet.

McEacheren sports and arts complex, integrated city bike and pedestrian trails, and our many recreational parks.



In addition to our local attractions, Powder Springs is in close proximity to Cobb County and Metro Atlanta tourism attractions.

History of Homes Powder Springs

There are many historical homes in Powder Springs.  Most of these homes are on the main street (Marietta Street) in downtown. Others are one street over (or back) on Atlanta Street.  Some are farmhouse homes that are located in the area immediately outside of the city limits. Several of the homes date back to the early/mid 1800’s. These mentioned here represent only a few of those homes. More information about these homes and the other Historical Homes of Powder Springs, can be found in the publications located at the museum.  “Images of America Powder Springs” and “Seven Springs Sampler”. Some of these houses are gone. Only time will tell how long the others last until they are gone, too.



Included in the “Sampler” are three homes on Powder Springs Road that are situated just outside of the Powder Springs postal delivery district. They were chosen for their historical significance. All three are on the National Historic Register. The Cheney-Newcomer House, the Kolb Farm House and the McAdoo House. We covered these homes in earlier post GNW # 133 GNW #137 (Links above)


Kolb Farm - Cheney House

One display at the museum are paintings of some of the homes by local artist Gladys O’Neil Hendricks Hardy (1911-1999). Also, there are sketch drawings of the Cheney-Newcomer House, the Kolb Farm House and the McAdoo House by Susan Smith. You cam see these drawings going up the stairs in the image below. Additional information on the Historic Homes comes from histories, oral and written, by Sara Frances Miller, Roberta Murray and Virginia Tapp on file at the Museum.

LEAKE – LOVINGGOOD HOUSE - 4494 Marietta Street

The Leake-Lovinggood House is an example of a two-story gable front and wing folk house.  It was built in 1913 by C.T. Leake, a local cotton buyer, and sits on the site of an earlier house built by James W. “Yankee” Smith, postmaster at Powder Springs in the 1890’s. The house has been in the midst of much of the town’s history since it’s been standing for over 100 years.



Mr. Smith’s house had a steep roof and was said to be so steep that it could split a raindrop.  The house stood vacant a long time and was said to be haunted.  All the children would run by the house as fast as they could since it was said to be haunted.



After Mr. Leake bought the property, he tore down the old house and built the present house. Not long after moving into the new house, they heard noises at night and the boys thought the home was haunted. It was soon discovered that the otherworldly sounds came from under the house where dogs were walking over lumber that had been stored there by Mr. Leake. He had saved the best pieces of timber from the old house to use in his new house. Some say that it is still haunted today in other ways. Mr. Leake kept milk in one of Powder Springs’ seven springs at the end of his yard, now across the street from the house. (Intersection of Marietta Street or Highway 278 and Brownsville Road).


Downtown Powder Springs has the Country Store of Seven Springs. Note the quilt patterns on the sides of the building. Powder Springs is part of the Quilt Trail.

Boyd Vaughn, the druggist, lived in the house after buying it from Mr. Leake in 1918. They apparently had other boarders/renters in the house. M. Lovinggood, father of Virgil, bought the house from Mr. Vaughn in 1927. Virgil Lovinggood had moved, with his wife and young daughter Pauline, here in 1918 from Cherokee County when he bought 60 acres of good farmland on the outskirts of Powder Springs in 1918. With his farming prospering, Mr. Lovinggood was presented with the opportunity to purchase a store in Powder Springs.  At first, he was reluctant, but then bought the store with the help of his father James Mattison Lovinggood and his brother Albert. This store was a grocery store, and carried much of the produce items of the area, cotton seed and other dry goods. Here Mr. Lovinggood was able to stock the store with produce and livestock that he raised on his farm. He operated his store for almost 50 years.


There was a big ole festival downtown, the Seas to Powder Springs.

In 1927 J.M. Lovinggood, with the help of his two sons, Virgil and Albert, bought the house from Boyd Vaughn. All three families then moved into the house. Albert died in 1926 and their father in 1942. At the death of his father, Virgil took over the store business and owner of the house. Mr. Lovinggood lived here until his death in 1985.  Both his sons, Virgil (V.A). Jr. and Lowell were born in the house. V.A. in 1929 and Lowell in 1935. His son Lowell being the present owner. The house has seen many renters through the years and is currently inhabited by the Lovinggood family. Some of their descendants still call Powder Springs home. The house is generally referred to as the Lovinggood House because of the long history of the family living there and being a vital part of Powder Springs and its history for so many years. The other owners were also a vital part of the settling and forming of Powder Springs as a town and community in the early years. Some of their decedents still call Powder Springs home. The Lovinggood House has seen much activity and history through the years and continues to be a monument to an era of times gone by. Additional information can be found in a paper prepared by Laurie Puckett for her history class (710) at Kennesaw State College, summer 1995.


Downtown Powder Springs.

“In and around the Lovinggood House – A History of Powder Springs Since the 1880”. A copy of Laurie Puckett’s paper is housed at the Seven Springs Museum. Some of her family were boarders in the house and are also related to the Lovinggoods.

GLADSTON FARMS (McEachern Farms) - 3940 Macland Road

Gladston Farms (or McEachern Farms) was the home of John Newton McEachern, Jr.  The 1,000 acre farm was homesteaded by his grandfather, David Newton McEachern in 1831. His father, John Newton McEachern, Sr. was born there in 1853, co-founded the Life of Georgia Insurance Company.


McEachern Sr. and the old Life Of Georgia HQ.

In 1908 on 240 acres of land donated by John N. McEachern, the Seventh District A & M School was established.



In February 1908, the school opened its doors with one building which was a two-story, white-columned Administrative Building. One year later, the boys’ dormitory was completed but subsequently lost in a fire. It was then rebuilt in 1912, and the girls’ dormitory was finished in the same year.



Students were responsible for paying their tuition and earning their board while living at the school. The boys farmed and learned animal husbandry, growing the food for the school, while the girls learned cooking and other domestic tasks by cooking for the school. The students also helped build the school buildings, learning carpentry and brick-making in the process.



In 1933, the state of Georgia moved to disband all A & M schools. This decision was largely due to the exponential growth of accredited high schools in the state which decreased the need for district schools. The Seventh District A & M School was, in effect, consolidated with the Fourth District A & M School to create West Georgia College on the campus of the in Carrollton.



In 1933 Macland consolidated schools. John McEachern High School was then established and opened on the campus left vacant by the closing of the A & M School. The McEachern family still contributed generously toward the education of the young people. In 1934 the name of the school was changed to John N. McEachern Schools with grades one through eleven (twelve).



The McEachern’s Established an endowment fund for the school which is an on going contribution to the school today. It is one of 17 high schools in Cobb County 


The 12,000-capacity Walter H. Cantrell Stadium is located on campus. It is used mostly for football and soccer matches.

In the 1940’s, McEachern restored the Farm Home to its original beauty and stocked it with hogs, sheep and a stable of Tennessee Walking horses and continued to operate it as a working farm.



Mayes Ward Dobbins Funeral Home and Powder Springs Chapel now sits on the site. They had hoped to restore the house as part of the funeral home, but were unable to save it.

MORRIS – GARRARD HOUSE - 4130 Hiram Lithia Springs Road

The Morris-Garrard House is a one story farmhouse with beautiful gingerbread trim on the front porch. It is one of two houses built by the Morris brothers who moved to Cobb County in the 1880’s. Each had forty acres. They built two houses and set aside two acres of land for a family cemetery. The other house was across the road from this one and was a two story plantation planes house. The Morris Cemetery is still a private cemetery and is located just down the road from the house. The cemetery is still open for family burials. The Vansant, Geiger, Butner and Florence families were some of the tenants of the house and farm. The property is usually only known as the Garrard House (Farm) and is still in the Garrard family.



MURRAY HOUSE - Atlanta Street

The Murray House on Atlanta Street was built as a duplex for Dr. Robert Root Murray’s daughters, Mina and Roberta. Dr. Murray came to Powder Springs from his home in Watkinsville to practice medicine about 1860. He also served as a lieutenant in the Confederate Army. He was one of the several doctors who practiced medicine in Powder Springs for many years. Roberta Murray, his daughter, is known as the towns first historian. Ms. Murray also opened her personal library to the young people of the town long before there was a library in Powder Springs. Roberta lived here until her death in 1974.


Can't find image of this home. Should have taken them myself. Look for future edit. Did find general image Morris Cemetery from above.

TAPP HOUSE - Marietta Street

The Lackey, Florence, Tapp House was built before 1877 by Dr. W.T. Lackey. It has been in the Tapp family since 1918 until about 2019. The house is referred to as the Tapp House because since the Tapps Have owned and lived there the longest, for over 70 years. Doctor Lackey sold it to W.Y. Stovall in January 1877. In January 1884, Mr. Stovall sold it to B. S. Florence who deeded it to Mrs. Lizzie Florence in September 1887. She willed the place to H. Emma Florence about 1907. Hannah Emma Florence Davis sold the house and lot in December 1918 to W.J. Tapp. Mr. Tapp also bought an adjoining lot from W.L. Florence. At W. J. Tapp ‘s death in 1923, the house and property then passed to his son W.R. Tapp, Sr. than to W.R. Tapp, Jr. The Tapp house was the childhood home of Virginia Tapp (1911-1992), a teacher and compiler of local history. She worked with Sarah Frances Miller to record the history of Powder Springs.  Miss Virginia also researched, recorded and published the History of the First Baptist Church of Powder Springs. Her brother, W. R. “Bill” Tapp (Jr)  was an architect who designed the new First Baptist Church’s building in 1964, which has been expanded on many times over the years. The small building at the back of the property was originally built for Mr. Tapp’s office and studio. One of the original Seven Springs is located at the back of house.


Some neat out buildings discovered while searching for Spring.

BODIFORD HOUSE - 4355 Marietta St

The Bodiford House is one of Powder Springs most elaborate examples of Victorian Architecture Queen Anne design home. It features two cross
gables, corner tower and a decorative wrap around porch.


Lounging on the porch and looking out the leaded glass windows on to the Magnolia House next door. Takes you back in time.

The original structure was a two story, four room bungalow with hand-hewn beams dating back to the 1800’s. The fireplace and chimney in the first room on the left is original to the house. Some of the original beams and foundation may be seen under the house in the basement. Upstairs, the floors in the front room on the right are original boards.


You go upstairs and it's neat how they paneled under the stairs.

The Marchman family owned the two-story bungalow. John L. Butner, an extensive landowner and dry goods merchant in Powder Springs, purchased the property and added the existing structure around 1910. The Leavell family purchased the house around 1950. They rented out the upstairs rooms on occasion for several years. Robert G. Bodiford purchased the house in 1954. Here, he and his wife Jane raised their two sons. He remarried sometime after Jane’s death and lived here with his second wife, DeLane, until his death in 2012.



In 2014, the City of Powder Springs purchased the house from the Bodiford Estate, renovated and converted it to house the Seven Springs Museum. The Museum opened in October of 2015.

CAMP – BOYD HOUSE - 4279 Marietta Street

The Camp House was a wedding present from Mrs. W. Y. Stovall to her son Charlie Camp and his wife Emma, about 1905-1910. It is a smaller Victorian House, that includes decorative spindle work within the gable roof, lace-like porch supports and balustrade and a corner tower on the porch.



The servants lived directly behind the house at 4280 Atlanta Street. Charlie Camp was a local merchant. Mrs. Stovall was one of the pioneer citizens of Powder Springs and, at one time, owned and operated the Stovall Hotel in town (currently the Magnolia House) in the mid 1800’s and early 1900’s. Emma Camp, Charlie’s wife, lived in the house until her death on January 13, 1964, long after the death of her young children and husband. The first road in Powder Sprigs was paved in 1928, connecting Powder Springs to Austell (Highway 278). Several sidewalks were also paved. The widening of the road was in 1930. Emma was outraged when engineers from the State Department of Roads were going house to house to explain the plans to widen Marietta Street, which meant it was necessary to cut the row of oaks on either side of their street. She met them with her shotgun and told them she did not want her oaks cut. She was so forceful that they did not cut her oak trees down. Emma then stood guard on her porch, with her shotgun across her lap, all through the road project.



The house was purchased by Frank Boyd and is still owned by his family. It has housed boarders/renters and businesses through the years.Currently it houses the Urban Evolution Salon Powder Springs.

CAMP – LAWLER HOUSE (MAGNOLIA HOUSE) - 4371 Marietta Street

The Camp-Lawler House is an outstanding example of the plantation plane architectural style. It was built in the early 1900’s for Tom and Bright Camp on a site somewhat north of where it is now. In 1930, it was rolled to its present position to accommodate the widening of the road. Later residents were Mr. and Mrs. L.C. Lawler and Harold Norris, the brother of Mrs. Lawler. Records show that Mr. Lawler purchased the house about 1940.



The towns charter of 1859 specified that the city limits extend in a one half mile radius from a spot that the Lawlers and Norris pinpoint as lying in the center of their entrance hall. At the time the residence of Dr. Aristides Reynolds was located here. Other structures on the site included “Dr. Aristides’ Rental House”, and in the 1860’s, the Stovall Hotel, one of several hotels that flourished when the community was a bustling mineral springs resort.


Parlor and Ballroom.

Land records show that in 1910, Mrs. Stovall sold the land to her son, Tom Camp and his wife, Bright. The hotel was torn down to build the present house. Tom Camp installed their own power-generated gas and light system in the house. One of the original Seven Springs runs through the back of the property behind the house. The house is now The Magnolia House, a special events facility and has undergone extensive expansion and renovation.

FLORENCE HOUSE - 4405 Marietta Street

The Florence House sits on the site of the J.C. Butner House. W.D Florence and his wife, Ida Butner Florence, built the Queen Anne Victorian House around 1915. It has an irregular shaped hip-gabled roof, decorative masonry chimney, classic column supports, cantilevered wall extensions and a second story porch.



In 1940 an actual funeral home building was opened. It was located in the Lindley Calloway House (now a day care center) which is next door to the present location. From the 1850’s to 1940, the funeral business was operated as a side line out of the back of several of the owners business’.

In 1937 Tom Lindley’s grandson, Frank Pickens “Pick” Lindley took over the business, still operating as Lindley’s Funeral Home. The house has been used as a funeral home since 1953, when the business moved from next door. It was opened as Lindley’s Funeral Home and operated by Tom Lindley.



Later owners were Gene Davis (White Columns), Marion H. Turk (Turk’s Memory Chapel) and Dennis Bellamy (Bellamy’s Funeral Home). Tom Lindley’ son Frank Pickens Lindley, Sr, was a doctor and practiced medicine in Powder Springs for 40 years.The funeral home is currently the Greene Pastures Funeral Home, Deacon Dwayne Greene, owner.

Atlanta St houses:

Spratlin house. King William and Beulah Spratln built their house on Atlanta Street in the Early 1900’s. Here they raised their two sons, Ralph and Clyde. Mr. Spartlin owned a grocery store downtown. An undated advertisement from Spratlin’s store offers 15 pounds of sugar for $1. Benjamin Lafatyette Hilley, a restaurant proprietor, owned the house on Atlanta St – a hall-and-folk house. He described his restaurant as the ‘headquarters for cold drinks and hot lunches”. In the 1930’s he was the only house on he block to have telephone service. The house has an enclosed porch across the front of the house.


I am having a hard time finding Net images of this house, but I do have other homes on Marietta Street.

Luke Penn house on Atlanta st. Current house built on the site of Rev. Alec Penn’s house. Built early 1900’s. Luke Penn married Chasity Young Penn in 1913, and they had 14 children. Their daughter currently lives in the house. Luke was the janitor at PS School for 40 years and grandson on Alec Penn, a prominent religious leader in Cobb and Douglas Counties. Chasity was the daughter of Sandy Young, a popular barber who practiced downtown in the Lewis Building. She a servant for Emma Camp for 27 years, began working for Mrs. Camp when she was 9 yrs old.


Other homes on Marietta Street.

Dr. J A Griffith house corner of Dillard and Atlanta St., local physician. PS Hospital, was a humble facility on Atlanta St built next door in the late 1940’early 1950’s. Dr. Griffith Was the hospital physician. The hospital Building now houses a preschool operated by the First Methodist Church. Dr Griffith’s son lived in the house until his death several years ago. It was purchased and remolded afterwards.

Historical Markers West Cobb County

I know this post is getting long but I am not sure when I will come back to Cobb County and I want to mention some historical markers for West Cobb that have not been mentioned in earlier post.

Causey - Maxham House c. 1840

Early Settler West Cobb County.



House still there.



Sweet Water Town Site

Archaeologists believe that humans have lived in Cobb County for at least 12,000 years, perhaps much longer. Clovis and Folsom points, associated with Late Ice age big game hunters have been found in the Chattahoochee River Valley.



Present day Cobb County was apparently heavily populated throughout the period from 1000 BC until about 1600 AD. Until 1793 the occupants of all of Cobb County were Muskogeans, ancestors of today’s Creek Indians. From 1793 to 1838, the northern half of what was to become Cobb County was officially part of the Cherokee Nation, but had very few Native Americans living there.



Clarkdale Mill Village Historic District Circa 1931

Both the mill and the neighborhood, consisting of 98 dwellings (a mixture of single-family and duplex floorplans), were designed by North Carolina architect Joseph Emory Sirrine.



The neighborhood boasted many modern conveniences for the time, such as electricity and indoor plumbing. Additionally, residents enjoyed a public swimming pool, a community house for public functions, and a mill-sponsored baseball team.



Clarkdale Historic District c. 1931



Fixer Upper Neighborhood.



Hardee's Corps at Powder Springs



Parks and recreation

Lucille Creek Trail

Enjoy this 1.6-mile out-and-back trail near Powder Springs, Georgia. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 34 min to complete. This trail is great for birding, hiking, and mountain biking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.



It begins at Shipp Road and follows the creek south, crosses the Silver Comet Trail and continues to Powder Springs-Dallas Highway where it connects with an 8-foot path to connect to the town center at the intersection of Brownsville Road and Marietta Street. This connection extends through the town. Accessibility: The trail surface is paved concrete and typically at least five feet wide. There are wooden railings on the sides. The estimated grade is flat (all 1% or less) so will likely be traversable for most wheelchair/mobility equipment or stroller users.



Powder Springs Park

The Powder Springs Park is located on Brownsville Road just west of downtown Powder Springs. The park contains 25 acres with ball fields, playgrounds, picnic areas and pavilions, an outdoor swimming pool, and a passive recreation area with paved trails.



Powder Springs Trail System



Silver Comet Trail

Powder Springs Trailhead is at mile marker 9.5 on the Silver Comet Trail. This paved trailhead is located on Richard D. Sailors Parkway, does not have restrooms, but has easy access to fast food using Lindley Road.



There's a pathway that connects the Silver Comet Trail to Lindley Road. Lindley Road and the Powder Springs Trailhead are directly across from each other on the Silver Comet Trail.


Replica Powder Springs Depot along Silver Comet.

Downtown Powder Springs is nearby. Powder Springs Shopping Center is across the street from the trailhead. There's plenty of shopping including gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and banks.

Wild Horse Creek Park

Head out on this 3.4-mile out-and-back trail near Powder Springs, Georgia. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 12 min to complete. This is a popular trail for road biking, trail running, and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.



Like the Silver Comet Trail, the Wildhorse Trail is designed to accommodate bicyclists, skaters and walkers, hikers, joggers and persons with disabilities. It does not have facilities for horses, however. The trail is open from dawn to dusk except after rainstorms. Along the path of the Wildhorse Trail is the largest red maple tree in Georgia, known as a "State Champion Tree." The Trail also features a wetlands observation tower just south of Hopkins Road and a rest area near Powder Springs Road. Parking is available at Wildhorse Creek Park. Accessibility: There are 4 designated accessible spaces in the paved parking lot off of Macedonia Road at the north end of the trail. All of them are van-accessible with striped access aisles. The trail surface is paved (with partial railings). It is typically at least 5 feet wide (with many wider passing spaces). The majority of the trail is estimated to be in the mostly gentle grade category (5% or less). This trail will likely be navigable for most wheelchairs/mobility equipment or stroller users. There are benches and picnic tables along the route for resting.



Wild Horse Creek Park is a 53-acre multi-use regional park with four lighted tennis courts, baseball and softball fields, football and soccer fields, a BMX track and the new Ron Anderson Recreation Center.

Sun Valley Beach

Going back in time Powder Springs was once the home to the largest pool in the Southeast, Sun Valley Beach was gallons of fun! Not just a pool, there were 11 waterslides, a showering umbrella, dolphin fountain, lumber jack log roll, diving platforms and tarzan swinging ropes. In addition to the water areas, there was a playground area, rental pavilions, picnic areas, grills and a concession stand.



In May 2008, Ifeanyi Odihe, 16, drowned in the deep end of the pool at Sun Valley Beach. He was at the park that day for a school-sponsored event with his father and sisters. It's still unclear how Ifeanyi, a junior at South Cobb High School Academy of Research and Medical Sciences, drowned. Then in August, 5-year-old Kavi Patel drowned as well, according to media reports at the time.



Lawsuits were filed, and the business went into foreclosure in 2011, according to MDJ reports at the time. It did not reopen in 2012.

Seven Springs Water Park at Wild Horse Creek fills the void for West Cobb Water Parks.



Notable people

Morris Almond - drafted 25th overall by the Utah Jazz in the 2007 NBA Draft; played for Rice University; first basketball player in McEachern school history to have his jersey retired.



Kofi Amichia - offensive guard for the Green Bay Packers. Played at South Florida.



Tremayne Anchrum - football player Clemson.



Rory Anderson (born 1992), tight end for San Francisco 49ers of National Football League, selected in seventh round of 2015 NFL Draft; played college football at South Carolina.



Gregg Bishop, film director, screenwriter and producer; born in Powder Springs.



Pat Cannon (1904–1966), was a four term United States Representative from Florida; born in Powder Springs.



Sharife Cooper - point guard for the Atlanta Hawks, drafted 48th in the 2nd round of the 2021 NBA Draft. Played at Auburn.



Te'a Cooper - point guard for the Los Angeles Sparks, drafted 18th in the 2nd round of the 2020 WNBA Draft.



Kenyan Drake (born 1994), running back for Las Vegas Raiders of National Football League, selected in third round of 2016 NFL Draft; played college football at Alabama, where he was a three-time SEC champion (2012, 2014, 2015), a BCS national champion (2012), and CFP national champion (2015).



Elle Duncan - sports anchor for ESPN, former v-103 traffic reporter, tv host, actress and television personality.



Chuma Edoga - offensive tackle for the New York Jets, drafted 92nd in the 3rd round; played college for the University of Southern California.



Lissa Endriga - international model; TV host of the travel show Destination X.



Evan Engram (born 1994), tight end for New York Giants, selected in first round of 2017 NFL Draft; played college football at Ole Miss.



Ted Laurent - defensive lineman for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Ole Miss Rebels.



Mark David Lee (born 1973), guitarist for Christian rock band Third Day, born in Powder Springs.



Jason Lively (born 1967), actor, lived in Powder Springs when his sister was born.



Robyn Lively (born 1972), actress; born in Powder Springs.



Gerald McRath - linebacker for Southern Miss.; drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the 2009 NFL Draft as an outside linebacker; graduated 2004.



Adam Meadows - four-year starter for the University of Georgia; drafted by the Indianapolis Colts.



Patrick N. Millsaps - Chief of Staff of Newt Gingrich's 2012 presidential campaign; political analyst on Fox News, CNN and MSNBC; graduated in 1991



Shaquell Moore (born 1996), professional soccer player for CD Tenerife, and the United States Men's National Team.



Isaac Okoro - small forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers, drafted 5th overall in the 2020 NBA Draft; played for Auburn University.



Chris Pope - Internet personality; executive producer; celebrity social media publicist; co-founder of Guys from Andromeda LLC.



Mac Powell - lead singer of the four-time Grammy Award-winning band Third Day; graduated McEachern in 1991.



Doc Shaw - actor, best known for role as Malik Payne in Tyler Perry's House of Payne.



Josh Smith - NBA basketball player. Won the Slam Dunk 2005.



Al Thurman, businessman and politician, City Council member for 13 years, first black mayor of city, elected in 2015.



Taylor Trammell (born 1997), outfielder for Seattle Mariners.



Tiffany Whitton (born 1987), woman who lived in Powder Springs at the time of her 2013 disappearance.



Wow, a huge post with 168 images. Lot of wet land this West Cobb, big long bridge on East West Connector, makes you feel like your in Baton Rouge. Anyway, this wraps up Cobb County and today's GNW gals all all taking a Powder, for Powder Springs.