While Lake Allatoona is cresting from last week’s flood and most campsites, docks and boat launches are closed I thought I would suggest some interesting places to visit close to Allatoona Lake.
Today I will start with Barnsley Gardens Resort along with the tormented history of this amazing property.
Today I will start with Barnsley Gardens Resort along with the tormented history of this amazing property.
Barnsley Gardens Mansion Ruins I visited Barnsley about a year ago in the fall, we enjoyed a beautiful ride to the resort and even though it was quite chilly outside we decided to take the tour of the gardens and the mansion ruins.
The first thing I noticed winding our way down a path toward the ruins of the mansion was the amazing trees and plants, none of them seemed indigenous to the area. I had never seen anything like it before. Come to find out that most of the trees and plants were brought back by Godfrey Barnsley the original owner of the 10,000 acre property formally called the Woodlands. These plants and trees came from all over the world as he traveled as a cotton broker.
The first thing I noticed winding our way down a path toward the ruins of the mansion was the amazing trees and plants, none of them seemed indigenous to the area. I had never seen anything like it before. Come to find out that most of the trees and plants were brought back by Godfrey Barnsley the original owner of the 10,000 acre property formally called the Woodlands. These plants and trees came from all over the world as he traveled as a cotton broker.
Godfrey Barnsley Barnsley was born in Derbyshire, England in 1805 and immigrated to Savannah, Ga. in 1824. Upon arrival he was penniless and lacked formal education but he became one of Savannahs most affluent men. He made his immense fortune through the cotton trade and shipping business.
In 1828 Barnsley married Julia Henrietta Scarborough, daughter of William Scarborough a wealthy Savannah merchant and shipbuilder.
During the course of their marriage they had six children (other reports claim eight children) but in 1842 Julia fell ill so Barnsley decided to move the family to Adairsville, Ga. to escape the threat of malaria and yellow fever.
In 1828 Barnsley married Julia Henrietta Scarborough, daughter of William Scarborough a wealthy Savannah merchant and shipbuilder.
During the course of their marriage they had six children (other reports claim eight children) but in 1842 Julia fell ill so Barnsley decided to move the family to Adairsville, Ga. to escape the threat of malaria and yellow fever.
Julia Barnsley The construction of the 24 room mansion designed to resemble an Italian Villa began in the late 1830’s but Barnsley was warned by an old Indian not to build on the proposed area. He claimed it was sacred to the Cherokee and disruption to the site would end in a curse.
Barnsley dismissed the warning of the old Indian and continued with the construction of the mansion. Soon after completion of the mansion tragedy fell upon the family with the death of their infant son and then his wife Julia in 1845 from Tuberculosis. Adelaide Barnsley their second daughter died suddenly in the mansion in 1858. Barnsley’s oldest son Howard was killed in 1862 by
Barnsley dismissed the warning of the old Indian and continued with the construction of the mansion. Soon after completion of the mansion tragedy fell upon the family with the death of their infant son and then his wife Julia in 1845 from Tuberculosis. Adelaide Barnsley their second daughter died suddenly in the mansion in 1858. Barnsley’s oldest son Howard was killed in 1862 by
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