History

In 1869, Walter Jerome Williams built a two-room house and detached kitchen from heart pine and river rock gathered from his land. Originally located near where Georgia 400 intersects Mt. Vernon Highway, the house was moved to this site in 1986. At first, the structure included just the two rooms whose doors face the street, and the only heat source was the fireplace in the parlor. A typical Georgia double-pen (i.e. two-room) farmhouse with additions, the house was originally supported above the ground on short piers and remained unpainted for many years.

As the family grew-twelve children were raised in the house-it appears the Williams family added a bedroom and a kitchen. This added bedroom, which we call "Harriet's Room," was built for Jerome's second wife sometime after 1907. On the 100 acre farm surrounding the house, the Williams family grew cotton, corn, wheat, sugar cane, and other food products.

The Williams's passed away in 1936 and the family farmhouse fell into disrepair. In 1939 it was purchased and restored by new owners, Major and Marie Payne. This is probably when the house was electrified and plumbed. The Payne's occupied the farmhouse until the early 1980s when they sold their property to Portman-Barry Investors.

Soon after, the house caught the eye of long-time Sandy Springs resident and Sandy Springs Garden Club President Garnett Cobb. With the support of the community and assistance from the new owners of the former Williams-Payne property, the house was moved to the Sandy Springs Historic Site, home of the Historic Sandy Springs for which the community is named. Restored and furnished to depict a t ypical Sandy Springs farmhouse representing the period 1870 to 1910, the Williams-Payne House is a link to our community's past.

The well shelter is original to the Williams-Payne House. The swept yard, without grass, helped keep critters away from the house and provided a fire break. The yard also features antique roses and other plants popular before 1900.

The "Milk House" once stored crocks full of milk in its cellar, which stayed cool near the ground. The building also housed a family displaced by fire during the winter of 1870. The plantings near the structure include a kitchen garden, herbs, and many old-fashioned ornamentals such as hollyhocks.

The gazebo recalls life in the late 19th century when band stands often stood in the town square or city park. Flowers planted in designs like carpets were also popular, and the modest plantings surrounding the structure represent this Victorian-era style.

As you face the entrance the gazebo, a 19th century privy rests off to the far right. The privy is a "two holer" with one small hole for children and one large hole for grown ups. The path in front of it leads through the woods behind the gazebo where you will discover woodlands, wildflowers, and a babbling brook.

information@heritagesandysprings.org
Phone: 404-851-9111   Fax: 404-851-9807
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 720213, Sandy Springs, GA 30358
Administrative Office: 135 Hilderbrand Drive, Sandy Springs, GA 30328