Lapham–Patterson House

The Lapham–Patterson House is a historic site at 626 North Dawson Street in Thomasville, Georgia. The house, built between 1884-85 as a winter cottage for businessman C.W. Lapham of Chicago, is a significant example of Victorian architecture. It has a number of architectural details, such as fishscale shingles, an intricately designed porch, long-leaf pine inlaid floors, and a double-flue chimney. Inside, the house was well-appointed with a gas lighting system, hot and cold running water, indoor plumbing, and modern closets. Its most significant feature is its completely intentional lack of symmetry. None of the windows, doors, or closets are square. The house is a Georgia Historic Site[3] and is also a National Historic Landmark, designated in 1973 for its architecture.[4] It is also a contributing building in the National Register-listed Dawson Street Residential Historic District.

Lapham–Patterson House
LocationThomasville, Georgia
Coordinates30.84562°N 83.98296°W / 30.84562; -83.98296
Built1885
ArchitectRommerdal, Tudor
Architectural styleQueen Ann Whimsey
NRHP reference No.70000868[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPAugust 12, 1970
Designated NHLNovember 7, 1973[2]

The three-story structure has a mellow-yellow exterior with brick-red roof and chimneys. At the core of the house is a hexagonal-shaped room. There are at least 50 exits; Mr. Lapham had been in the Great Chicago Fire and subsequently became paranoid about being trapped in a burning building.

The house was deliberately constructed slightly askew to take advantage of sunlight entering the third floor during the Spring and Fall Equinoxes. Within is a gentlemen's parlor with a small stage featuring a stained-glass window in the center. In the fretwork outside the room over the balcony are animal and amorphous shapes cut into the wood. In the center is a cutout of what is presumably the head of Mrs. O'Leary's cow.

During the Spring and Fall Equinoxes the patterns are projected by sunlight onto the floor through the glass. The total effect is that, in the center of the stained glass window's colorful pattern on the floor, the shadow of the cow's head can be seen.

Mr. Lapham was a Quaker.

Images
  • The dining room
  • Formal parlor
  • Detail of windows
  • Guest bedroom
  • Sitting rooms
  • Gentlemen's parlor

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 15, 2006.
  2. "Lapham–Patterson House". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2012-10-04. Retrieved 2008-06-21.
  3. Georgia State Parks
  4. "Georgia State Parks – Lapham–Patterson House Historic Site". Retrieved 2007-03-02.
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