Below are the photos and histories of the homes from our 2025 Charm Tour on November 8. Thank you to everyone who joined us for a wonderful day exploring Acworth’s historic homes
Acworth Charm Tour of Homes 2025: Map
Map Sponsor: Still Available
Sponsor Details: TBD
Ticket Pick-Up Location: TRG Vino Market 4823 South Main Street
Sponsor Details: TRG Vino Market offers more than just fresh market goods. Our purpose is rooted in community support and reduced waste, eco-friendly practices. With a portion of our proceeds donated to local charities and events, every purchase directly supports your neighborhood of Acworth.
1. 4462 Park Street, Circa 1900
Sponsor Details: Lindsey Gravitt is a dedicated real estate professional who combines deep market knowledge with a genuine passion for helping clients achieve their goals.
History:
This craftsman bungalow style home nestled on just over an acre was built for N.E W. Stokeley whereas the legal description interestingly enough states that this property was purchased by N.E.W. Stokeley from James L Lemon on August 15th 1888. The home stands where the Normal School once stood. The large school building was damaged in a fire and later demolished and the lumber salvaged from the school building was used to build this home. The property passed through 4 property owners until March 1, 1920 and then was sold to Henry F Ford & Ruth J Robertson Ford. Henry and Ruth and their 3 girls enjoyed this home until the death of Ruth in 1989. Henry started working at Acworth Motor Company in 1936 as a car salesman then later with Hamner Chevrolet Company – he was known as the, “the Chevy man with a Ford name.” When Henry and Ruth first purchased the home the name of the street was Mineral Well Street and then name was changed to Park St somewhere in the 1930’s before the 1940 US Census
Steve and Angie Goodyear had planned to get married in 2016 and began their new home search. They both knew that the wanted an historic home within walking distance to a downtown area. They had looked at other surrounding cities but they knew Acworth is where they wanted to be. Steve says that he knew that this was their home when he turned the old doorbell ringer. The couple loved the spirit of the home so much they decided that this was where they would be married. In September of 2016 surrounded by friends and family they said I do at their new home.
Since their ownership in March of 2016 the couple have perfectly updated this home! They have refinished the hardwood floors, added a detached two car garage, interior and exterior freshly painted, transformed an existing bedroom into a walk-in closet, renovated the two baths and most recently the kitchen. Angie also has transformed their landscaping with her green thumb
Future projects include adding a sleeping porch to the rear of the house.
2. 4277 Maple Drive, Circa 1971
Sponsor Details: Anchor Realty is here to help you find your dream home in Historic Downtown Acworth. Deborah & Malinda both live, work & play here and have a vested interest in where they live.
History:
The land that this home sits on was initially part of a large pecan farm owned by Edward Wayne Nichols Sr and his wife Charlotte Anne Nichols. Edward’s mother was Maria Lemon Nichols (James L. Lemon’s daughter). The Maple Dr property owned by the Nichols family went from Brenda Drive to somewhere under Lake Acworth. Also note that part of Lakeview Street was sold to Otto Fowler for his Fowler Subdivision in the 1950’s.
In the 1960’s, Charlotte Anne Nichols wife of Edward Wayne Nichols Sr developed Brenda Dr. Then Edward Wayne Nichols Jr and his sister Anne Nichols Blocker divided the rest of the lots owned by the family. Anne got the three lots leading up to Brenda Dr and Edward Wayne Jr and his wife Ruth had the lake lots. In 1971 Ronald W. Nichols (son of Ruth and Edward Wayne Jr) began to build this two-story traditional home on one of the best lots on Lake Acworth. The home had originally been a 3 bedroom 2 ½ bath home on a basement.
Ronald sold the lake house to his parents on January 20th, 1980 as he relocated to south Georgia. It remained in the Nichols family until May of 1987 when it was sold to a William M Penn. The property remained in the Penn name until October of 2014
Donnette and Tom Sanderson relocated to Georgia 6 years ago from Arizona and loved the charm and feel of this area. When the they saw the house, they knew right away it was their new home. In October of 2023 Donnette and Tom purchased the property and this is when the transformation of this 1970’s traditional home took place.
Since their ownership the couple have beautifully updated the following: a new kitchen was installed with all new appliances, new interior and exterior lighting was added, they enclosed the original 2 car carport and made it into a great room, transformed original 1 sided wood burning fireplace into a see through gas log fireplace, installed new stairs and banisters, new interior paint and wallpaper, a 4 car garage was built, installed driveway and sidewalk, a large front porch was added with cedar finishes, new roof installed, all new exterior siding and paint, the exterior screened porch was rebuilt, new HVAC and tankless water heater installed, they fenced in the property and added new landscaping, and added an outdoor downstairs fire pit.
Future renovations include building out the unfinished basement
The Sanderson’s love their beautiful and peaceful views of the lake and get to enjoy it every day. They love the convenience to be able to take their kayaks out on the lake and the proximity to downtowns shops and restaurants.
3. 4242 Lakeview Street, Circa 1955
Sponsor Details: Downtown Acworth’s private school for dyslexic learners, grades 1-12, with more than 20 years of dedicated service to students.
History:
In 1955 O. R. Fowler had a vision of creating a new subdivision near the newly created Lake Acworth. The Subdivision would be named Fowler and would feature ranch plan homes. The ranch plan originated in California in the mid 1930’s and soon became one of the few types of homes the FHA would finance. By 1950 the ranch plan was the most predominant residential style in the country.
Now that everyone owned cars, these new homes had carports or attached garages and were landscaped with driveways. Inside there were 8ft interior ceilings and picture windows to look out at the landscapes.
This home has had only 4 owners since being built which includes the current homeowners. The original owners Norman and Betty Causey lived here with their family for over 56 years and their daughter took ownership upon their deaths.
Teresa and Ken Miller native Californians fell in love with the city and wanted a home here in Acworth to help their daughter and son in law with their growing family. They really wanted to be within walking distance to main street Acworth and to be close to the lake.
In February of 2021 the 3-bedroom 1 bath 1,170 sq ft ranch home came on the market and just by chance Teresa was in town visiting her daughter. Please note that not one interior photo was taken of the interior of this home for the listing. Words could not describe the condition of the interior of the house. Teresa was able to see the potential and placed the home under contract. Ken had only seen the house via facetime calls and trusted Teresa’s gut instincts on what this ranch could look like renovated. In March of 2021 they closed on the property and then the real work began.
The renovation began and Teresa and Ken managed the process from California as they were also having to rebuild their existing home in California which they lost in the 2017 fire – talk about stress!
The entire house was brought down to the studs, new electrical, plumbing was installed, the floorplan was re-configured and square feet was added to the house in addition to a two-car garage. Everything is all brand new and the house was completely transformed – Absolutely Stunning!
Since the completion of the renovation the couple have added the screened in porch and just this past spring installed all new backyard landscaping. Teresa and Ken’s next projects include the transformation of all new landscaping for the front yard
4. 4375 Willis Street, “Lemon House”, Circa 1856
History:
ames Lamant/Lemont married Martha Smith/Smythe/Smyth in Ireland in 1763. Both of them originally lived in Scotland, but moved to Ireland in pursuit of religious freedom. In 1773, James, Martha and their family, came to America as passengers on the sailing vessel “Princess”, landing in Charleston, SC. They then moved to Chester District and bought land near Fishing Creek Church. It was after the Lemonts came to America, the final letter of the last name was dropped. The spelling was Lemon and sometimes even seen as “Lemmond” in deeds.
James Lemon fought for his adopted country in the Revolutionary War as a soldier in the 1st South Carolina Infantry under the command of Colonel Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. He participated in the defense of Ft. Moultrie which repelled the British fleet. James Lemon was later wounded at the Battle of Monck’s Corner eventually dying of his wounds. His courageous wife Martha was once threatened by British troops who placed a noose around her neck and threatened to hang her unless she divulged the whereabouts of her husband. Their daughter Jane, aka Jeannette also played a part in the Revolutionary War as a courier for General Sumter.
After the war, the family traveled west into Georgia, settling first in Decatur, then later in Marietta, GA. In 1833, John Lemon, son of Robert and Mary Lemon, opened the first mercantile store on Marietta Square.
James Lemon, another son of Robert and Mary, was Justice of the Inferior Court in Dekalb County in the late 1820s and 1830s. He also was a representative from Dekalb County in the State Legislation from 1837-1838.
In 1817, James married Mary Brown Telford and they settled in Acworth in 1845 and purchased 800 acres of land near Acworth Town Center which included a small frame single pen house previously built by Yearly Martin, the original property owner. After land sales to incoming settlers reduced the estate to 144 acres, and the size of the family grew, James and Mary began to increase the size of their home, adding several rooms. James and Mary’s children were Ann Marie, Sarah Ann, Louisa, Georgia, Isabella, Smith and James Lile.
James Lile Lemon, aka “Captain” Lemon, married Eliza Jane Davenport in 1856. James, being the eldest son of his father James and mother Mary, still living at home, assumed leadership of the household when his father died in 1849.
At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Captain Lemon and Eliza’s home had expanded to nearly the size it is today. It took the form of “carolina style” plantation plain, meaning it’s two chimneys were centrally mounted, instead of being on the gable ends. Later, around 1875, the house was remodeled with an elaborate victorian porch, followed in about 1900 by a neoclassical porch of doric columns.
On June 6th 1864, the Union Army commanded by General William Tecumseh Sherman, marched into Acworth to await the repair of The Etowah River Bridge, which would reestablish the supply trains from Chattanooga. For the next four days, Sherman utilized the Lemon House as his headquarters and staff berthing.
Eliza, who was seven months pregnant, and their daughter Emma Alice Lemon, Age 3, were forced to sleep in the kitchen and to serve the officers. On one occasion, while Eliza was serving coffee to Sherman and his Generals, Sherman engaged her in conversation and was so “rude and officious” that she lost her composure and blaster Sherman as a scoundrel and war criminal. He was so incensed that he ordered his officers to keep her out of his sight whenever he entered the house.
Since 1856, the Lemon House has been owned by various family members, until 1975 when a fire killed Grace and Sara Nichols. Afterward, the house was briefly occupied by the Evans then the Corbain families, until 1993, when the house was reacquired by direct descendants of Captain James Lile Lemon. The current owner, Mark Lemon, is Captain Lemon’s Great Great Grandson.
5. 4400 Lakeview Court, Circa 2024
Sponsor Details: Raven Printing & Design Studio is a female-owned and operated business, specializing in custom design work and specialty printing.
History:
Barrett Pritchard first purchased the property where The Cove at Lake Acworth now sits in 2006, after spotting it by chance on his way to lunch in downtown Acworth. At the time, he was actively building homes throughout Woodstock, Atlanta, and Smyrna, and then living in a community that he had built near downtown Smyrna. Barrett and his wife Christie loved the small-town lifestyle in Smyrna and being able to walk to restaurants, shops, and community events and immediately saw that same potential in Acworth.
When he found this land overlooking Lake Acworth and within walking distance of historic downtown, he knew it was special. While it could have supported higher-density homes, he wanted to create something different, spacious lots and custom homes with distinctive architecture and thoughtful design.
The final plan includes nine homesites, each with its own unique layout and elevation, creating a neighborhood with variety and character. They currently have four remaining homesites, with completed plans for Lots 7 and 9. Construction on Lot 9 is set to begin soon.
The Pritchard family has been building homes in the Atlanta area for over 40 years. Over that time, they have built hundreds of homes and developed more than a dozen neighborhoods. It has been their goal and has always been to create well-built, timeless homes with unique character and quality craftsmanship.
They build the kind of homes that they would want to live in, and often do. Every homeowner they work with is part of a hands-on design process, customizing details to fit their personal style while incorporating lasting architectural features and modern functionality.
The Cove at Lake Acworth is the perfect example of that philosophy. Custom homes in a beautiful lakefront setting just steps from downtown.
Barrett and Christie’s home has five bedrooms and five and a half baths, designed to feel open and livable while still having some distinct character throughout. The butler’s pantry is one of their favorite features it keeps the main kitchen area clean and organized and makes entertaining a lot easier.
The dining room has high ceilings and large windows that make the space bright and airy. They chose finishes that are classic and understated, natural stone, detailed trim work, and custom cabinetry and materials that don’t go out of style.
The terrace pool looks out over the lake and woods, which gives the home a quiet, tucked-away feel even though it’s just a short walk from downtown.
The Cove at Lake Acworth offers something rare! Custom homes on generous sized lots on the lake, all within walking distance of historic downtown Acworth. It’s a peaceful setting that still feels connected to the community.
Each home is designed to complement the land and the neighborhood’s natural character. Barrett says “watching this property evolve into a small community of distinctive homes has been an incredibly rewarding experience for our family”.
6. 5016 Dewberry Circle, Circa 1960
Sponsor Details: Award Winning & Top Producing Atlanta Area Real Estate Agents with Global Marketing Strategies for selling properties and homes faster using social media and portals globally. Since 1979, Tony & Pam Williams of eXp Realty have been Atlanta’s trusted real estate resource.
History:
5016 Dewberry Circle was built by Bob and Betty Kienel, and they moved in with
their children Bob, Rick and Mary Ann on Labor Day, 1959. The builder was
Betty’s brother-in-law Mark Smith, who also built the Beach House at Lake
Acworth. Betty and Bob lived here until their deaths in 2008 and 2014
respectively.
Local neighbors included Dr. Glenn Reed, a prominent Acworth dentist, Bill and
Ruth Hamner who owned the Chevrolet dealership on South Main Street that
became Day’s Chevrolet, Jack and Becky Diemer who were ultimate owners of the
Day’s Chevrolet, and Buddy Boone and family who owned Boone’s Service Station
just south of downtown Acworth.
After Bob’s death in 2014, the house was sold to Dr. Ron Alleyne and his family.
It was purchased in 2023 by Anthony and Pamela Williams, who undertook a
major renovation of the interior and exterior.
Not on Our Tour, but Worth Checking Out
Please Note: These locations are not part of our 2025 tour itinerary. Enjoy them from the road, as trespassing is strictly prohibited.
1. Bethel AME Church, 4826 School St., cir. 1863
History:
“Bethel A.M.E. was built by the skilled hands of freed slaves and has stood throughout time for 155 years. Bethel A.M.E.’s church history recalls General Sherman’s march throughout Georgia. At the end of the Civil War, there were 200 freed slaves remaining in Acworth. The emancipated slaves immediately became a vital part of the Acworth community, took on a monumental task, and used their artistry and skill to build a church. After the end of slavery, members of the Bethel A.M.E. Church and Zion Hill Missionary Baptist church shared church buildings. This tradition of alternating Sunday services lasted for many years until Zion Missionary Baptist church moved to a more contemporary church building in 1914; while the members of the Bethel A.M.E. remained in the original church building built by the freed slaves. Bethel A.M.E was built in 1878, and a bell tower was added in 1895.”
2. Acworth Presbyterian Church (c. 1870), 4561 Church St.
This church is not part of the tour but is worth seeing from the outside.
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, 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]
3. Acworth Christian Church (c. 1858)
This church is not part of the tour but is worth seeing from the outside.
In 1858, Acworth had been established as a watering stop for the Western and Atlantic Railroad, but would not be incorporated until 1860.
That year, Nathan Smith, an established evangelist, founded the Acworth Christian Church, which originally was located on Mitchell Hill. Smith was one of the first schoolmasters in Acworth, and the first worshipful master of the Acworth Masonic Lodge.
The church thrived until the Civil War, when the building was dismantled and used as shanties for Union soldiers. The church re-established in 1875 at its current location on Northside Drive. Tragedy struck again in 1899, when a fire destroyed the church. Nathan Smith died that same year, so he never got to enjoy the rebuilt church, which opened its doors in 1901.
The church has been a fixture in Acworth ever since, and can be seen from Main Street and the downtown area. The church’s original brick exterior was covered by stucco in the 1980s.