Grand Oaks Manor Bed and Breakfast Athens, Georgia Experience the grandeur of the Old South in this magnificent AnteBellum home nestled on 30 acres- Open only on Weekends. Contact Info | Email this page to a Friend | Click to see a map  | Additional Pages... Introduction Guest Rooms/Rates Dining Room How to Find Us Grand Oaks Manor History Pictures of Gum Springs Our Favorite Recipes Reservation Request Form Special Packages   Availability Search: See which rooms are available during your stay. Check in: Check out: Powered by Webervations Clear search results Rooms Available from  to  Learn more about these rooms These are our base rates - certain discounts and/or charges may apply

Story last updated at 10:49 p.m. on Tuesday, October 31, 2000 Classic Place: Watering hole brings Athens its oldest house. Tracy Coley Ingram - Correspondent

NAME: Nicholson House - ADDRESS: 6295 Jefferson Road CLASSIC NICHE: The Nicholson House is possibly the oldest house in Athens-Clarke County that remains on its original foundation. HISTORY: In 1779, William Few was awarded a tract of land (the exact size of which is not known) that included the property destined to become the Nicholson House. It is presumed that the land was a reward for service to his country in the Revolutionary War. Few was one of two Georgia men designated to sign the U.S. Constitution. He never occupied the land himself, choosing instead to practice law in New York state. William Few's brother, Ignatius, eventually purchased the land from him for 10 cents an acre. Ignatius was a local Methodist preacher. Although the date of purchase has not been found, it is recorded that Ransom Nichols had possession of the land in 1820 when he built the Gumsprings Tavern and Inn. He chose to build beside a generous and well-known watering hole called Gumsprings because of the importance of the water source and its strategic location. A federal road had been built directly in front of the springs in 1805. Most roads were little more than paths across wet, boggy land where travel was difficult at best. The federal road provided the best route for the many travelers passing by Gumsprings on their way to trade in Athens. Often, cotton farmers from more northern counties would travel as far as the Gumsprings Tavern and Inn to spend the night and then make their way into town the next day and do their trading. At the end of a busy day, they would return to Gumsprings and spend the night before heading home again. Some would camp and cook outside, while many enjoyed the luxury of a prepared meal and safe sleeping the inn provided. A visitor to the tavern could dine in one of the two large rooms on the first floor, and space to spend the night indoors was available in the two upstairs rooms where the bedding consisted of straw scattered over the floor. The floor of the sleeping areas was purposely built on a slope, with holes in the walls on the low end. Occasionally, the straw would be swept out and the floor would be washed down with buckets of water that ran out the holes before new straw was put down. The walls of the building were constructed of square-hewn logs measuring 6 feet long by 14 inches wide. A large veranda welcomed guests, with massive stones carefully placed out front to assist those alighting from the stagecoach. The stones can still be seen dutifully waiting in front of the veranda today. Many stories and legends arose around Gumsprings. It is said that one farmer stopped at the springs for water and simply disappeared, never to be seen or heard from again. Another sad day found a young girl being stolen away by passing Indians while her mother had gone to the springs for water. Her family never got her back. It is said that she married one of the Indians and many years later, returned to the tavern to see the springs again.

In 1856, Ransom Nichols died, leaving the property to be divided between his wife, son and daughter. His daughter's name was Emily, and she married a man by the last name of King. During the Civil War, noted physician Crawford W. Long received word that Union Gen. William T. Sherman was on his way to burn and destroy everything in his path. Long rushed to his daughter Francis Long Taylor's home and asked her to help him preserve proof of his discoveries in the use of anesthesia. Long presented his daughter with a glass jar containing antique watches and other family treasures along with papers that he said would prove his research and discoveries. He asked her to hide the jar under her dress and quickly transport it to a safe place. She rushed to the King family at Gumsprings, as they were her dear friends, and buried the jar at the springs. When they were sure the threat from Sherman had passed, she returned and collected her father's treasure unscathed. Over the years, the family sold off parcels of land, and the tavern changed hands between different members of the Nichols and King families many times. It would finally leave their family altogether in 1947 when J.P. Nicholson stepped in to buy the property and save the old tavern building. He found things in very poor repair, but was determined to bring it back to life as his family farm. He added three wings and a new kitchen to the building, and wood siding was laid over the logs on the Colonial Revival structure. He found a creative way to preserve the floorboards from the first floor by having them installed on the ceiling where they remain in view today. HERE AND NOW: Today, the building is known as Nicholson House in honor of the family who saved it. Nicholson House now serves as a bed and breakfast with six acres of grounds, which include historic Gumsprings. The current owners, Harry and Celeste Neely, are taking great care to investigate and preserve the history of the old tavern as well as the property itself. An old pole barn near the house has been updated and serves as the Neely's private residence. The Neelys only purchased the property in June of this year. ''When my wife and I were searching for a bed and breakfast to purchase, we wanted a place that was historic and yet comfortable,'' Harry said. ''The Nicholson House was perfect and we are loving it.'' He points out that today a guest enjoys a private bath in each room, with not a speck of straw in sight.

back to first page

Click-on these pages for more information:  | Introduction | Guest Rooms/Rates | Dining Room | How to Find Us | Grand Oaks Manor History | Pictures of Gum Springs | Our Favorite Recipes | Reservation Request Form | Special Packages |

back to top of this page