This home, commonly referred to as the Windolph-Williams Farm, is probably the house I am most frequently asked about. Sitting next to the intersection (really fork in the road) of 107 and 28, it’s almost impossible to not have noticed this imposing stone structure if you have lived in or around the Ag Reserve for any amount of time.
I was recently given the opportunity to explore the home from top to bottom (literally opened every door, peeked under floorboards, climbed into an abandoned bomb shelter under the house, and ran my hands along the rafters in the attic).
To be completely honest, the history of the home remains a bit murky. Records indicate that at least a portion of the home was constructed in 1856, but according to the current owner, the front portion of the home was built in the late 1700s (which, if correct, would mean that the rear “L-shaped” wing is the 1856 portion).
The land, and perhaps the earlier portion of the home, were originally owned by Andrew Offutt in the early 1800s. The Offutt Family was well known in these parts, and were involved in farming a number of properties in the area.
Following Andrew Offutt’s death in 1837, the home remained in the possession of Andrew’s widow until being sold to Nathan White Allnutt in 1856 (when at least some, if not all of the stone home was built). Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries the Allnutt’s occupied the home (in addition to a number of other homes close by in the Dawsonville area). In 1922 the property was sold to an owner who defaulted on the mortgage, resulting in the home being purchased by the Windolph’s in 1929. The Williams Family later inherited the property and lived there until about 20 years ago.
Since I do get a lot of questions about this place, I thought I would answer some of the common ones (or at least answer with what I know!) in a Q&A format:
Does anyone currently live in the home? Technically no, but the current owner is undertaking a renovation of the home and lives on the property.
Isn’t this home supposed to be really haunted? While I have no direct experience, the current owner told us that a number of years ago he allowed some workers involved in the renovation to live in the house. Within two weeks they were convinced the place was haunted and moved out. The owner believes the noises they heard at night were actually the result of some loose slates on the roof, but who knows!
Was there a murder in this home? Yes, there was a murder that took place here in 1911. The event was the result of a dispute between an individual and his sister and mother. The sister was killed and mother seriously wounded.
Is there a tunnel from the basement that runs down to the Seneca Creek? Not really. There is a very short tunnel that runs from the basement to a cold-war era bomb shelter, but that’s the extent of it.
