Acworth Historic District Home Tour
We have another movie set on this year’s tour!
The first day of filming for SELMA was at the old jail in Acworth. Interestingly enough, One of the pictures shows Center Street Tavern, the sponsor this year, and rumor has it, they’ve got some shenanigans planned for this year’s candlelight tour at the Jail… Jail+Shennanigans= 👀
The original Acworth Jail was built in 1935 for $3,000 ($60,346 in current dollars*) with assistance from the Federal Emergency Relief Administration. The new “escape-proof” jail contained six cells and housed the city council room. [1]
The building was in use as a jail facility until 1995 and still contains the original cells, and is listed as an historical landmark. [2]
The renovated building later housed the city offices of Downtown Development, Historic Preservation, and Tourism.[3]
The old Jail currently houses the Acworth Cultural Arts Center.
To view more houses on the tour click HERE.
Proudly Sponsored by:
SOURCES:
1. Acworth Society for Historic Preservation, Inc. Acworth. Charleston SC, Chicago, Portsmouth NH, San Franscisco: Arcadia, 2003. p. 73.
2. Angela Chao, Old Acworth Jail Memorabilia. Acworth, GA Patch, March 11, 2011. https://patch.com/georgia/acworth/amp/431263 (accessed August 11, 2019)
3. Acworth Society for Historic Preservation, p. 73
*CPI Inflation Calculator
Two of the sites of this year’s tour were on the same movie set!
The 2011 remake of ‘Footloose’ was originally set in a fictional Tennessee town because they originally planned to film in Tennessee. However, Georgia ended up winning the filming location and the fictional town in ‘Footloose’ became Bormont, Georgia.
Acworth Presbyterian Church, which appeared on our first Candlelight Tour in 2019, as well as this year’s Candlelight Tour, was used as the Church of Bormont where Dennis Quaid’s character, Reverend Moore, is the minister. The R.L. McMillan house on Northside Drive was used for the home of Reverend Moore and Ariel, who is the minister’s daughter. The home belongs to Acworth’s Mayor, Tommy Allegood, and his wife Carol. Tommy & Carol had to vacate their home during the 18-day shoot. The home was also featured on our 3rd Annual Tour in 2017.
Carol was also featured as an extra during one of the church scenes, along with Kim Wigington, Headmaster of Brookwood Christian School, one of Acworth Charm’s Hosts.
Cast and crew members were also busy at our local restaurants such as Dogwood Terrace and Fusco’s via Roma. “Though business owners can’t put a figure on it, they claim the extra traffic was a boost to the Main Street economy.”
SOURCES:
H.M. Cauley. “Acworth abuzz during remake of ‘Footloose’.” Atlanta Journal & Constitution, (Oct. 7, 2010): https://tinyurl.com/yy8zn8bk (Accessed 08/23/2019)
Southern Outdoor Cinema. ‘Footloose’ Starring Julianne Hough, Filmed in Georgia: https://blog.southernoutdoorcinema.com/footloose-starring-julianne-hough-filmed-in-georgia/ (Accessed 08/20/2019)
Each of our Cherokee Sponsors is an independently owned & run Cobb County small business. Please support each of them along with our other local businesses as much as you possibly can. <3
Meet our 1st Cherokee Level Sponsor, Creative Canvas on the Gogh, born out of ingenuity, creativity, and necessity. Unlike traditional brick & mortar studios, they are a set of four wheels and an engine fueled by a loving community of patrons who share a love for art.
They began in 2011, with a traditional approach but found inspiration and encouragement to take their show on the road. Hosting a group painting party in the comfort of your own home or business allows you to gather your friends in an intimate, cozy and convenient atmosphere.
“There is a Van Gogh in each and every one of us. All it takes is the courage to try, and a little guidance from our friendly team of instructors. We are passionate about the people we encounter and of course art!“
~Owner Kimberly Purcell
Thank you Kimberly & CC on the Gogh for your support of The Art House- Acworth Arts Alliance.
Capt. Lemon was one of the founders of Acworth Presbyterian Church. The church was built in 1875 on land donated by James’ brother, Smith Lemon. [1]
The Acworth Presbyterian Church was established in 1870 as a mission from the Mars Hill Church. Thirty-four members were dispatched to start the Acworth Church, and Mars Hill provided a joint minister until 1956. Smith Lemon donated the property and together with his brother James Lile, supervised the construction of the church building in 1875. [2]
The Church features stained glass windows, Gothic arches, and intricate brickwork are features of the brick edifice. Many of Acworth’s pioneer families were among the charter members. [3]
Thirty-four members from Mars Hill were received as charter members. They were: M.J. Abbott, Mrs. F.J. Ansley, J.H. Bate, W.T. Bate, Dr. A. Cotten, Mrs. Elizabeth J. Cotten, Mrs. Hattie Hull, W.H.A. Johnson, J.P. Lawhon, Mrs. J.P. Lawhon, Miss Lula Lawhon, Miss Belle Lemon, J.L. Lemon, Mrs. J.L. Lemon, Miss Jennie Lemon, Jessie, L. Lemon, M.E. Lemon, Margaret E. Lemon, Smith Lemon, Mrs. M.K. Litchfield (known as Mr.s Kansas Williams after her second marriage), H.H. Logan, Mrs. Emily L. Logan, J.E. McEver, Mrs. J.W. McMillan, John L. Nichols, Mrs. Maria L. Nichols, W. J. Palmer, Mrs. W.J. Palmer, Miss Nola Palmer, Miss Eula Palmer, William Prichard, John E. Prichard, J.C. Stancel, and Mrs. L.H. Tanner. [4]
On November 4, 1883, J.W. McMillan and H.H. Logan were ordained as elders by Rev. A.G. Johnson, the first minister of Acworth Presbyterian Church. [5]
Acworth Presbyterian Church was used in the 2011 remake of ‘Footloose’ as the Church of Bormont where Dennis Quaid’s character, Reverend Moore, is the minister. Carol Allegood, homeownter of the R.L McMillan House, also on the tour, is featured as an extra during one of the church scenes, along with Kim Wigington, Headmaster of Brookwood Christian School, one of Acworth Charm’s Hosts. [6]
To view more houses on the tour click HERE.
Proudly Sponsored by:
SOURCES:
1. Acworth Society for Historic Preservation, Inc. Acworth. Charleston SC, Chicago, Portsmouth NH, San Franscisco: Arcadia, 2003. p. 61
2. Ibid.
3. Rebecca Nash Paden and Joe McTyre. Cobb County. Charleston SC: Arcadia, 2005.
4. Mary Dell Williams. Acworth Presbyterian Church, The First Hundred Years, 1870 – 1970. Acworth GA, 1970. p. 2.
5. Ibid.
6. Southern Outdoor Cinema “‘Footloose’ Starring Julianne Hough, Filmed in Georgia.” Southern Outdoor Cinema, February 14, 2014. (Accessed 08/20/2019)
Everyone…please meet our 2021 Docent Coordinator, Deborah Hill. Deborah has been part of the Acworth Community for quite some time and has been instrumental in fundraising for local causes. She is also part of our Magnolia Sponsorship team, Anchor Realty.
If you are interested in participating as a Docent, or some other volunteer position, click HERE.
A Charming Tour in a Charming Town needs Charming Volunteers!
As this tour grows, and we anticipate a large number of participants this year, we will need volunteers in a variety of areas.
If you are interested, please click HERE for more details and updates and then complete our VOLUNTEER FORM
As a small token of our appreciation, all volunteers will receive one complimentary ticket!
One of the McMillan brother, Robert Lee “Bob” (1866-1947), married Marie Knox of Kentucky, and had six children. Bob was first a chair maker, then a partner in McMillan Brothers (now Wild Blossoms), and later a vice-president and president of the Bank of Acworth [1] (Dr. Rosenberger‘s old office, next to Henry’s). [2] He also served as Acworth Mayor and as an Alderman, where he was instrumental in bringing water and electricity to Acworth. [3]
The Bob McMillan home on Northside Drive was built in the early 1900s with architecture influenced by folk Victorian and Craftsman style as evidenced in the photo below. Six of the original ten acres of property are still intact. The remake of Footloose was partly filmed here. [4]
Behind the Bob McMillan home sits an older, simpler cottage. According to local lore, a deaf mute named “Chick” lived here. Chick, a freed slave, used her hands to communicate and lived in the cottage until her death. Until recently, the cottage had no electricity or running water. [5]
To view more houses on the tour click HERE.
Proudly Sponsored by:
SOURCES:
1. Abbie Tucker Parks, Albert L. Price, and Shirley Fowler Walker. Remembering Acworth: Fact, Fun, and Trivia. City of Acworth, 2010.
2. Acworth Society for Historic Preservation, Inc. Acworth. Charleston SC, Chicago, Portsmouth NH, San Franscisco: Arcadia, 2003.
3. Abbie Tucker Parks, Albert L. Price, and Shirley Fowler Walker
4. Acworth Society for Historic Preservation, Inc.
5. Ibid., p. 20
Thanks so much to our longest running sponsor, Anchor Realty…. without you, this tour may not exist! We are eternally grateful for all you have done for us.
A HUGE thanks to our Lake City Sponsor for this year’s tour. Thank You SO much for helping make this possible!
