The Cherokee County Historical Society honored four properties during its annual Historic Preservation Awards banquet on Friday night at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Conference Center in Canton.
The Anderson-Eyster-Bowles Home and Wheeler House, both in Ball Ground; Enon Cemetery in Woodstock and Hickory Flat Cemetery are this year's winners. The society also recognized Skip Spears of Ball Ground as its 2011 Volunteer of the Year.
The evening's speaker was Robert Williams, senior curator of the Bentley Rare Book Gallery and assistant vice president for library systems, emeritus, at Kennesaw State University. Williams spoke about the importance of preserving books.
Stefanie Joyner, executive director of the society, commended the renovations at each of the properties, noting the work done at each preserves its heritage for future generations to enjoy.
She also commended some of Cherokee County's cities that have taken steps to beautify their downtowns, which she said are "investments" in the areas.
The Anderson-Eyster-Bowles Home was built around 1900, and the Anderson family lived there for 65 years. Located in Ball Ground's city limits, the house was at one time a working farm.
Inside, the walls in many areas are beaver board, meaning they are brought together and covered by batten board. Also, the original fireplace mantles remain intact, and a kitchen was added by enclosing one of the side porches.
Outside are four outbuildings on the property, including a small barn, garage and what are believed to be a former smokehouse and blacksmith shop.
Sylvia Bowles, who bought the home in 2007, said the actual renovations were done by Robert Eyster. She noted she was "excited" to have her home recognized by the society.
"I'm a big believer in historic preservation," she said, adding the home is the third historic house in which she's lived.
Denver Rainey was recognized for the preservation recently completed at Woodstock's Enon Cemetery.
The cemetery was founded in 1837 as part of Enon Church, which later became First Baptist Church of Woodstock. The church still owns the cemetery. In 2008, a committee was formed to make improvements to the cemetery.
In conjunction with Preservation Woodstock, other church groups and Surgance, an organization that manages humanitarian and social services projects, volunteers raised money to create a census, establish a grid network with signage and remove trees and excess dirt.
Dave Audia, a member of First Baptist Church of Woodstock, accepted the award on behalf of Rainey, who has been active in preserving the cemetery.
The Hickory Flat Cemetery on East Cherokee Drive was originally known as the "Buring Ground." Historians believe the land for the cemetery was given by Major John McConnell, but no deed has been found for the property.
The oldest grave at the cemetery was created around 1850. Reuben Wilson of Hickory Flat said a perpetual trust fund was established for maintenance of the cemetery by relatives of those buried there.
Wilson, who said he will be the fifth generation on his mother's side to be buried there, noted he was glad to see all the hard work to keep the cemetery "presentable" pay off.
"It's a community cemetery," he said.
The Wheeler House in Ball Ground was built around 1906 and has been completely renovated by current owners.
Owner Lee Lusk said he bought the house in February 2010 and soon began making renovations after that.
The owners sanded and stained 6,000 square feet of heart pine flooring and unearth the original brick pavers. They also repaired all 36 rope and pulley windows and retained the original glass in 33 of the windows.
All original wood siding was removed, numbered and flipped to encapsulate the lead paint.
The porches received new poles and railing.
Lusk said he's using the home as a special event and wedding facility. Since completing the renovations in February, one wedding has been held there. Six more have been booked and another event has been scheduled at the facility.
The society recognized Spears during the banquet as its Volunteer of the Year.
Spears, owner of Spears & Bagwell, Co., said he was excited about the recognition, but added he only does what he does because he "loves history."
"I don't think I deserve it, but I'm honored to have it," he said.
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