The Reconstruction of an Amazing House
The Gann House is a historic residence dating back to the early 1800s. It was constructed for then State Senator John Gann on property acquired in the 1832 land lottery. It has survived a burning by the Union Army, a sell off of its once 380 acres, and recent years of neglect and vandalism.
John Gann (1812-1881) served as senator of Cobb County in 1842. He was a charter member of the Concord Baptist Church, Cobb's (and Mableton's) oldest church and is buried alongside his 2nd and 3rd wives in the historic cemetery off South Hurt Road.
During the Civil War the house played a significant role in Sherman's march to the sea. The Ganns refugeed their children, livestock and five slaves to Monroe, GA one week before the Federal troops arrived. Possibly because of John Gann's confinement to a wheelchair due to a severe case of rheumatism, they remained until they could hear gunfire nearby. They tried to reach the Confederate lines in Smyrna but were overtaken near the Covered Bridge. The Ganns were returned to their home and forced to wash the uniforms and shine the boots of the fifteen Union officers who were billeted there.
Union troops were encamped on the property through the July 4th, 1864 Battle of Ruff's Mill. The Concord Woolen Mill, where Confederate uniforms were produced, and the Covered Bridge were burned. The railroad track thas was located on the Silver Comet Trail was also destroyed.
As the troops were departing they started to burn the house, throwing torches under the current dining room. The house was built with old growth heart pine lumber, rich with pitch, and was only seconds from becoming a raging inferno. In an amazing twist of events, a Masonic apron was found in the house and presented to the commanding Union general. He quickly ordered that the fire be extinguished and spared the house.
In 1874, John Gann sold the house to Seymore B. Love, one of the proprietors of the Concord Woolen Mills. In the 1930s, it was the childhood home of Agnes Louis Bradford Barnes, mother of ex-Governor Roy Barnes. In 1947, the property was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. James M. Hill who owned the house until Mrs. Hill's death in 1992.
Out of state heirs saw the potential for monetary gains by developing the 30-acre farm located on what early settlers called "an exceptionally beautiful part of Cobb County." They left the house open to vagrants, vandals, and the elements, trying to remove the property from the historical district.
Recognizing that the house is a national landmark on the Historical Registry, the public rallied to save the property. Community activists and the Cobb County Historic Preservation Commission uncovered inaccurate surveys designed to enable the demolition of the property. They corrected the surveys and implemented regulations of preservation.
John Gann had so much land that he was able to place the house on a perfect location. Atop a grassy knoll with firm bedrock, water naturally drains away from the house. Because of that, rot and termite damage was surprisingly low for a house this age and condition. The stack stone foundation remains stable and the now petrified 8" x 8' oak beams support the oversized old growth studs, making an incredibly strong structure.
Many historic homes experience moisture and rot problems when they are insulated and air-conditioned. While drafts were not comfortable for the early occupants, they prevented condensation. Innovative ventilation designs are now in use to make the house energy efficient, comfortable, and durable.
The most urgent priority was to install a new roof. New dormers were also added to increase the living area of the upper level. The floors were reinforced and new interior walls were added to maximize space and allow for the addition of two mini-suites.
The chimneys were stabilized and then rebuilt to match the original. The wood floors in the living room, dining room, and master bedroom were painstakingly removed and stored for reuse while the utility systems underneath were being upgraded.
The utilities are designed to meet modern needs. The underground electrical service is rated at 200 amps. The massive plumbing system includes yard hydrant, two hot water heaters, and a constant hot water recirculating pump. Two independent heating and air conditioning systems separate the two levels. Each room is wired for power, telephone, cable, and security.
The renovation has been undertaken by Mr. Andrew Fenlon, who states: "A house like this is like a classic car, an antique table, or a fine wine. It improves with age. Like restoring a masterpiece, it's an arduous but extremely rewarding task."