… Grand old homes for sale as area goes commercial.” “Stately Homes’ Era Passing”. (November 24, 1990)

This was a headline of the Atlanta Journal and Constitution Newspaper in their Community News Section Edition on November 24,1990 written by Reid Warren, Staff Writer. Several of the homeowners on Marietta Street, who were long time residence of Powder Springs, were interviewed for this article.

The article stated that about a half mile section leading into Powder Springs’ town square, which is one of the city’s most scenic stretches, there were nine for sale signs (Nov. 1990). The properties had been zoned for office and industrial uses, the area was now open for various conversations among owners and buyers, meaning that history and growth was colliding on Marietta Street.

To many, the homes symbolize the town’s character and heritage which makes a popular desire among the citizens to protect them against commercial renovation. Most were built in the early 1900’s and do have a rich heritage that has been passed down through the years to the various owners.

Mrs. Verna Lawler, 78, has lived in her home on Marietta Street in Powder Springs for “fifty-something years”. Mrs. Lawler, a widow, decided to sell her six-bedroom, turn of the century (early 1900’), one of several grand houses lining the road. “It’s just too big for me”, she said. Mrs. Lawler’s house was purchased, renovated and opened as the Magnolia House, a special event facility, for many years. It is currently under new owners as the Greene Magnolia Event Center.

Mr. Robert Bodiford also owns one of those stately homes which is next door to Mrs. Lawler. He and his family have lived there since
1954. Mr. Bodiford wouldn’t advise anybody to buy one the these homes and expect to live in it. Mr. Bodiford is a former city council- men and thinks it will all go commercial eventually.

The original part of Mr. Bodiford’s house dates back to the 1800’s when it was built as a two story, four room bungalow. In 1910 additions and renovations were made to transform the house in to the stately home it is today.

In 2014 the house was purchased from the Bodiford Estate by the City and renovated/updated for the purpose of housing the Seven Springs Museum. The Museum was moved into the Bodiford House in October 2016 from it’s location in Powder Springs Park on Brownsville Road.

Like many old homes, they require a lot of maintenance to keep them up which can be quite challenging over the years, especially for older residence. Making them not economically viable, whatever their use. Many of these long-time owners sons and daughters didn’t want the burden of keeping up the properties. They knew firsthand what it took to maintain the home since living in them growing up.

Also, as they say, “Times are ‘achangin” in Powder Springs with growth in new people moving into the community and needing more businesses to help support that growth. Community planning has to take a look at what’s needed to maintain the new influx of residence, traffic, etc. while attracting others to make Powder Springs their home. It is not an easy task to try to balance the integrity of the historic homes while introducing new homes and facilities to accommodate the growing and changing population of the area.

Today some of those ‘Stately Homes’ have been torn down because of maintenance issues and progress. They will always be missed by those who remember them when they were part of the ‘Scenic Stretch’ on Marietta Street going into downtown Powder Springs.