(Serendipity House ~ Darlene Knight)
Jesse L. Lemon was the son of banker Smith Lemon, who was born to James Lemon and his wife Mary. James was a War of 1812 veteran and state representative in DeKalb County. They moved to Cobb County in 1843, and then to Acworth in 1845. They purchased 800 acres and built the Lemon House. [1]
The Jesse L. Lemon House on Main Street was built in the 1880s by Jesse as a wedding gift for his bride, Elizabeth “Lizzie” McMillan, daughter of Robert Huie McMillan [2], and brother of Jim McMillan, with whom he went into the general merchandise business. [3]
Jesse owned a cotton warehouse and a mercantile store, and served in Acworth’s first government after the Civil War. The home’s fanciful spindle work and interior staircase featuring carved petit-four laced treads attests to his and the town’s prosperity during the Victorian era. [4]
The home is now the Serendipity House, a unique shop treating its guests to room after room of beautiful, one-of-a-kind gift and decor delights.
The Serendipity house is host to the High Tea on the tour from 1pm-4pm. Reservations required, call 770-966-1301. ($20 separate extra charge)
To view more houses on the tour click HERE.
SOURCES:
1. Marcus E. Howard, “Lifelong metro Atlanta resident learns of connection to Cobb city.” Marietta Daily Journal, April 11, 2011. Accessed October 1, 2017.
2. Acworth Society for Historic Preservation, Inc. Acworth. Charleston SC, Chicago, Portsmouth NH, San Franscisco: Arcadia, 2003. p. 20
3. Ibid., p. 15
4. Ibid., p. 20