Spring Ramble Itinerary: Sunday, April 22, 2012

The final day of comes tomorrow and if you haven't "rambled" yet, you won't want to miss it.

Following up on the and Spring Ramble schedules we have posted over the last couple of days, Roswell Patch continues our Ramble coverage with a preview of Sunday's Day 3.

To check out all the different Ramble package options, visit The Georgia Trust website. Purchase Walk-up Tour Only tickets at today from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Sunday Ramble: Mill Life, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Visitor's Center, 617 Atlanta Street (Built in the 1950s, 1854 and early 1900s)

The 1950s structure on the corner is the Roswell Visitors Center, which offers a video, historical exhibits and information about what to do and see in Roswell. Next to it is a simple, two-story brick structure with classical detailing in its delicate square pilasters and dentil design at the cornices. This was the Roswell Store, built in 1854 as a commissary for mill workers, offering luxury items as well as staples; it is now a restaurant. Next to it are three brick storefronts which date from the early 1900s. They were originally used as a bank, drugstore/soda shop, and post office.

The Bricks, Sloan Street (c. 1840)

The Bricks were built for Roswell King as housing for factory workers from the nearby Roswell textile mills. The original ten apartments featured a kitchen-living room on the first fl oor and a steep, narrow stairway to an upstairs bedroom. The Bricks were recently renovated and expanded to create upscale townhouses which integrate modern amenities with the historic fabric such as the front doors, mantles, ceiling beams, exposed bricks walls and antique heart pine hardwood. Lew Oliver, the architect, in conjunction with the Macallan Group, renovated and expanded The Bricks into townhouses.

Home of Al and Julie Church, 43 Sloan Street (c. 1840)

This original mill worker’s apartment served many purposes over the years,
including Roswell’s first public library, an apartment and office space. In 2008, the unit was completely renovated and expanded. In 2009 it received on “OBIE” award for the top new townhouses in Atlanta by the Atlanta Builders Association.

Home of Ray and Sheri Bachman, 47 Sloan Street (c. 1840)

This townhome showcases a vintage interior and a charming collection of antiques. Being an end unit, this residence has a lovely courtyard for outdoor entertaining.

Home of Phillip and Leeanne Maxwell, 65 Sloan Street (c. 1840)

The 4,000 square-foot unit features a keeping room, four bedrooms and four fireplaces. This particular unit is featured on the Roswell Ghost Tour for supposedly housing both a little girl who died of small pox and a Civil War soldier.

Home of Steve and Barbara Brown, 66 Sloan Street (Built in 1853)

This vernacular Greek Revival house features sturdy mortise and tenon construction and some unique details. The chimney is characteristic of New England, where chimneys were central to the building. The front door, its original
haunt blue paint intact, was salvaged from the house two doors away.

Home of Kathleen White, 72 Sloan Street (Built in 1853)

Originally mill housing, this residence is designed in a saddlebag plan with a central fi replace used by both families for cooking. The house was renovated as an offi ce in 1992. Purchased by the White’s in 1998, it was used as an office until 2004, when it was renovated back into a residence. The front of the home is original construction, the central core is redone and there is a large addition on the back of the home. The addition’s footprint was designed by Lew Oliver and with many details created by Mr. White, who served as the project manager.

Home of Betty Dickey, 98 Sloan Street (Built in 1853)

This charming mill cottage was built to house factory workers employed by the Roswell Manufacturing Company. The first additions to the residence were made in the 1920s. The current owner completed a full rehabilitation of the existing structure and added another addition during 2000- 2002. It was “a labor of love for the forgotten.”

Founders Cemetery, 200 Sloan Street (Established in 1840)

Founders’ Cemetery is Roswell’s fi rst public cemetery. Some of the members of the first families of Roswell and their slaves are buried in this tree-shaded area above Vickery Creek. Among the grave sites are those of Roswell King, founder of the town, and Major James Stevens Bulloch, grandfather of President Theodore Roosevelt and original owner of Bulloch Hall.

Mill Area, wear proper hiking shoes. Steep hills may not be suitable for Ramblers with mobility issues.

The Machine Shop (Built in 1835)

The Machine Shop is the only extant building left of the original Roswell Manufacturing Company. The two-story brick building is late Georgian in style. The trail to the left of the Machine Shop leads to the old mill ruins and the dam.

Old Mill Ruins (Built in 1835)

View the mill ruins and enjoy the interpretive signage along the trail.

Vickery Creek and Dam (c. 1850); access this area near the Vickery Creek Covered Bridge by going to the left just before reaching the bridge itself.

A 30-foot dam and millrace were constructed on Vickery Creek to supply power for the mills.

Allenbrook, 227 South Atlanta Street (Built in 1857)

Built as an office and residence for the manager of the Ivy Woolen Mill, Allenbrook sits on a bluff and overlooks the mills and dam. Hand-molded clay brick were set in an uneven course, with interesting designs at the windows and
cornices, softening the simple salt-box profi le. The house has 18-inch thick brick walls and heart-of-pine fl ooring 12 inches wide. The mills were destroyed under the orders of Sherman, but the house was left untouched. The mills were rebuilt, their machinery salvaged from the creek. Mr. and Mrs. Bell purchased the house and restored it in the 1930s, renaming it Allenbrook.