Edwards-McClure-Pruitt-Midyette Home

Location: Frogtown Community

Winners: Mark and Charity Midyette

Reputedly built by J.M. Edwards in 1890, the house and 30 acres was deeded to his daughter, Ethel McClure in 1918. Fortunately it has remained in the family, and Mark and Charity Midyette have taken over stewardship of the property. While modern amenities have been added, the couple have retained original elements such as hardwood floors, doors, and the stone chimney. Once a common site around Cherokee County, this property retains its original smokehouse, which has been stabilized and repaired.

Gaddis-Beacham-Sulborski Home

Location: Union Hill

Winners: Mark and Andrea Sulborski

Reportedly built in the late 1800s, the home was enlarged and modified in 1925 with Craftsman style elements. It was originally owned by the Gaddis family. Susie Gaddis Beacham, daughter of the founding pastor of Arbor Hill Baptist Church, lived and raised a family here.

Mark and Andrea Sulborski acquired the property and have undertaken a renovation project to preserve historic features such as the original tongue and groove walls and historic paneling.

The back porch still retains the original well, which was a common feature in early Cherokee County homes. This one is unique because the windlass and water bucket are still intact.

Two historic fireplaces remain, one with the original mantle.

Covington-Lusk House

Location: Ball Ground

Winners: Lee and Brittani Lusk

Built in 1915, the home was initially threatened with demolition due to its condition and location. Thanks to our Preservation Commitee member Beth Ingram, Lee and Brittani Lusk, and supporters of History Cherokee, this property was saved and restored. When it was found, it was clear the house had great bones - high ceilings and tongue and groove walls and floors. The uncovered brick fireplaces were a bit puzzling at first, but soon became one of the most endearing features. The bathrooms and kitchen were updated but the original single pane windows were saved to marry new with the old.

The wide front porch has become an inviting space once again and the tree in the back yard growing around the spare marble at its base, has been saved as well. This project goes to show how historic properties can be saved and integrated into new development.

Mathis-Thompson General Store Building

Location: Union Hill

Winners: John and Lashelle Thompson

J.B. Mathis built this General Store in the 1950s, one of four originally in the Union Hill community. It is now owned by his granddaughter, Lashelle Thompson and her husband, John. Their goal is to rehabilitate this landmark into a new coffee shop so that it can become an active hub for the community once again. They have updated it with care to preserve the original flooring and shelves. The restored windows and white pine ceiling have become the perfect backdrop for socialization and community gatherings. While the electrical wiring, plumbing and roof are new, the furnishings give a nod to its past use. The original double doors remain to welcome visitors and friends alike and remind the community of the Mathis family legacy.

Holly Springs Depot

Location: Holly Springs

Winner: City of Holly Springs

The railroad transformed Cherokee County when the tracks opened in 1879. The Holly Springs community prospered with the industry brought over the rail lines and its Depot has defined the City’s gateway for over 100 years. Recognizing the importance of saving one of the only two remaining depots in the county, the City of Holly Springs embarked on a remodel project designed to modernize the building, but stay true to its roots. The renovation preserved the original bead-board walls and ceiling, but added new period-appropriate windows to brighten the space. The signatures of the original railroad agents etched into the wall were preserved for generations to appreciate.

The design was similar to other L&N depots built throughout the south with Folk Victorian architectural elements such as these exterior triangular knee braces supporting the wide overhang roof. Thanks to the City’s care and stewardship, the Depot once again serves as a rental facility, reminding the community of Holly Springs’ railroad history.

Jones Mercantile Building

Location: Canton

Winners: Penn Hodge and Grant Schmeelk

R.T. Jones built his first downtown store in 1879, supplying the Canton community for almost 100 years. After the store closed, it was occupied as the County Administration building. After the county relocated, the store remained empty for 15 years. Fortunately, the City of Canton resisted calls to turn the space into a parking lot and completed an exterior restoration to return the building to its 1920s appearance. After completing the rehabilitation of the Mill on Etowah project, Penn Hodge and Grant Schmeelk purchased Jones Mercantile from the City, and began the arduous task of modernizing it into restaurant and coworking space. They added new fixtures such as lighting and plumbing in the 1920s style to compliment the restored exterior, but are clearly modern to distinguish from original finishes.

Historic plaster walls were repaired or stabilized, window sills and casings were repaired or replaced with inkind wood or marble, and historic glass protected. Care was taken to retain historic elements that evoke the mercantile, with new complimentary modern furnishings added for contemporary audiences. Mechanical systems and interior structural columns were repaired as needed and left exposed or partially embedded in new walls to mimic historic volume. Hodge, Schmeelk and their team were awarded the prestigious Excellence in Rehabilitation Award from the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation for this project, and have earned the appreciation from visitors and residents for returning this landmark building to its rightful prominent place on Canton’s square.

Bunker Design House

Preservation Professional Award

Blending modern design and historic elegance, Bunker Design House is an architectural firm that has helped transform the Holler, the Mill on Etowah and the Jones Mercantile Building.

Historic Canton Magazine

Preservation Partner Award

For this inaugural award, we’ve chosen a local publication dedicated to promoting the best that historic Canton has to offer. The Historic Canton magazine is a joint effort by Penn Hodge, Tri-State Communications and the City of Canton, featuring the people, places and organizations that celebrate history and bring it to life.