In 1838, Colonel Samuel Rockwell decided to build a grand residence in Milledgeville, Georgia, perfectly embodying the architectural style of the antebellum period. Nestled among a grove of trees and positioned on a slight hill away from the road, the setting was chosen for its majestic and peaceful ambiance.
Joseph Lane Sr., an architect brought from Maine, was chosen to design the house. Lane’s architectural skills were not only reserved for private residences; he also designed several buildings at the nearby Oglethorpe University, making a significant impact on the area’s architectural heritage.
The Rockwell House features eight large rooms spread over two floors, each connected by front and rear foyers. The home is renowned for its impressive front porch, which greets guests with steep steps flanked by stately columns. Over the years, the steps were carefully maintained, with each riser being replaced gradually until the last original one was changed in 1971, highlighting the owners’ commitment to its upkeep.
The construction of the Rockwell House is a testament to the intricate labor and craftsmanship of its time. Every piece of lumber was meticulously hand-cut, reflecting the detailed work put into the house. Among its notable architectural features is a spiral staircase, built with a notch and peg system, which used nails sparingly, mainly for the exterior weatherboarding and interior plaster slats. This construction technique was also applied to the slave quarters and carriage house at the back of the property.
In front of the house stands an elaborate cast-iron fence, which is said to have cost $2,600, more than the house itself, which was priced at $2,500. According to local legend, the expense of the fence was so shocking that it caused Colonel Rockwell to suffer a heart attack. Though it’s unclear where the fence was made, some believe it came from London, England, while others credit its creation to the Dugal Fern and Brothers Foundry in Milledgeville.
Samuel Rockwell, who was born in 1788 in Albany, New York, was a descendent of the Rockwell family that had been established in America for seven generations. In 1834, he moved from Maine to Georgia, quickly becoming a well-known figure in the area. He was a slave owner and served in the Georgia Militia, but his professional life wasn’t limited to military affairs; Rockwell also had a significant legal career, previously working as an attorney in Savannah before his time in Milledgeville.
During the Creek Indian War in 1836, Rockwell played important roles, serving as Inspector of the 3rd Division and as Adjutant General under General Sanford. He was also involved in the early development of the State Lunatic Asylum in Milledgeville, which would later become Central State Hospital, serving on its building committee.
Sadly, Colonel Rockwell didn’t enjoy his residence for long; he died prematurely in 1841. After his death, Oliver Hillhouse Prince acquired the property. Tragically, Prince and his wife later died at sea during a hurricane off the coast of North Carolina as they were returning from a trip to New England.
The estate later became the property of Hershel V. Johnson, who took office as Governor of Georgia in 1853. He used the Rockwell House as his summer home, a typical practice at the time for those who had their main homes in Milledgeville but also wanted a nearby seasonal retreat.
Over time, the Rockwell House has seen a revolving door of owners, from merchants to farmers. In 1904, it was purchased by Mr. Marshall Bland, who lived there until an unusual incident in 1910. Believing he had sold the house to an out-of-state buyer who made a deposit but never returned, Mr. Bland and his family moved back in. By 1911, he finally sold it to his cousin, Oscar Ennis, whose family kept the house until 1962.
In 1967, Dr. Robert Watson became the owner with plans to restore the historic home. However, in August 1969, a restoration mishap led to a fire caused by workers using a blowtorch to remove paint, which damaged part of the upper floor.
The Rockwell House is also shrouded in tales and rumors, including stories about buried gold in the vicinity. In 1969, following the fire, the dining room caught the attention of the Winterthur Museum near Wilmington, Delaware. The museum acquired key elements from this room, such as the black marble mantle and the woodwork, and even made plaster impressions. These pieces were carefully reconstructed in the museum to create the Georgia Room, a historically accurate representation of the space.
The survival of the Rockwell House largely owes to the dedication of Mr. and Mrs. Ogden. They bought the property to prevent it from being dismantled for profit. Since 1971, ongoing renovations have preserved the house, ensuring it remains a testament to the rich history and continuing legacy of this Georgia landmark.
In 2019, the historic Rockwell House entered a new chapter under the ownership of three investors led by Ross Sheppard, a well-known Atlanta realtor with a deep passion for historic preservation. Sheppard has been pivotal in this endeavor, with valuable support from Kyle Campbell of Preservation South in Greenville, South Carolina. Campbell’s expertise in navigating tax credit applications and providing preservation advice has been instrumental.
For those eager to follow the restoration journey of the Rockwell House, updates and insights are regularly shared on the Rockwell House blog and Facebook page. These platforms offer a window into the dedicated and meticulous work being undertaken to preserve this significant historical landmark.
Photography By: Leland Kent of Abandoned Southeast