The property at 101 West 7th Street in Louisville, Georgia, used to be the home of the historic Louisville Hotel. Back in the late 1800s, a Scottish immigrant owned the hotel and was well-known in the area for playing his accordion.
Unfortunately, on the early morning of December 14, 1899, a huge fire broke out and completely destroyed the hotel. Everything was lost in the fire, but thankfully, the hotel was insured, which brought a bit of good news amidst the tragedy.
With the $1000 from the insurance, the owner decided to build a new house on the same spot. It was a way to start over after such a huge loss
The old Louisville Hotel was once a vibrant spot in Georgia during the lively 1890s, managed by a Scottish immigrant who entertained the neighborhood with his accordion music.
Disaster struck early on December 14, 1899, when a devastating fire swept through the hotel. Despite efforts to save it, the building was completely destroyed. Thankfully, having insurance was a saving grace amidst the ruins.
With the $1,000 insurance payout, the owner started anew, building a new home on the site of the old hotel—a symbol of moving forward after a tragedy.
Years later, in a twist of fate, the 1940 census listed Claudia Murphy as a “Tourist Home Manager” and Waller Murphy as her “Assistant Manager.” The Murphys ran a boarding house there, welcoming many until Claudia’s death in 1963. The property stayed in her name until her passing, marking an era filled with hospitality and community connections.
In August 1963, Hattie Mae Willie took ownership of the property from the Murphy family for $6,500. Having previously rented a part of the house in the 1950s for herself and her teenage son, Hattie Mae was familiar with the residence. She continued the tradition of operating it as a boarding house, living there until her death in 1997.
After Hattie Mae’s passing, the local telephone company, owning the adjacent lot, wanted to buy the property to demolish the house. This plan deeply distressed Eve Perdue, one of Hattie Mae’s daughters, who was determined to preserve the family home. In 2001, Eve bought out her siblings’ shares and took ownership to protect its legacy. She lived there until her health declined in 2014, and the house then sat vacant for three years.
In July 2017, a family member purchased the property, launching a thorough restoration to revive and preserve this historic home for generations to come.
Photography By: Leland Kent of Abandoned Southeast