Buford's Historic Allen Homes

Note: This week's blog is heavily reliant on pictures, so be sure to check out the photos associated with the post . 

I'm in the middle of moving. Moving two households, really, since I've been helping a family member pack up their house for a big move this past week, too. I don't really have time for any well researched posts, so I decided since houses have definitely been on my mind  recently, this would be a good time to feature some of Buford's historic homes. And so, with the help of Handsel Grady Morgan's Historic Buford*--

 Buford's Historic Homes:

According to Historic Buford, the majority of the large, impressive homes in town were built within a 10 year period around 1900, an era when Buford was establishing itself as an economic force in Gwinnett County and powerful families like the Allen's wanted homes that reflected their growing prosperity. This week I'll focus on those homes owned by Bona Allen, Sr. and his children.

The Bona Allen Mansion: 

Built between 1911  and 1913  the Bona Allen Mansion is without a doubt one of the most impressive of Buford's historic homes. Built in the Italianate style, sitting on several acres of land at the top of Main Street, the mansion is on the National Register of Historic Places. After Allen, Sr. died in 1925 , the home was occupied by his son, Bona Allen, Jr. Upon his death, Allen, Jr. planned to gift the mansion to Buford as an event and cultural center. The city commission declined the offer, however, feeling it would be too expensive to maintain as Allen intended. The mansion and grounds were later sold to a private party, and in a bit of irony, has been successfully run as an Event Center, hosting weddings, parties and corporate events for several years now.

Bona Allen built his home within a few blocks of his tannery.When asked how he could stand living so close to the strong odor of the tan yard, legend has it that Allen answered "Smells like money to me!"

The First Bona Allen Home: 

Originally built in 1891 at the head of Main Street, this home with it's distinctive Queen Anne Victorian style domed turret was moved to it's current location, also on Main Street, around 1911 in order to make way for the construction of the much larger and more impressive Bona Allen Mansion.

The Bona Allen, Jr. Home:

Before moving into the Bona Allen Mansion in 1925, the oldest Allen son lived in this Greek Revival house, also located on Main Street. It was later occupied by his nephew, Bona Allen III (known as "Little Bona,") son of  H. Wadleigh Allen.

The John Q. Allen Home:

Located on Main Street between the Bona Allen Mansion and the Bona Allen, Jr. home, this house, built between 1911 and 1912, is  in the Georgian Revival style, and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The H. Wadleigh Allen Home:

Once located on Sawnee Avenue at the corner of the current Bona Allen Mansion property, this home was built for the fourth Allen son. It was occupied for several years by Golden Knight, brother in law of Bona Allen, Jr.. The home, which was demolished in the 1970's, was another Queen Anne Victorian, this one with a pointed turret.

The Victor Allen Estate:

Built by Victor Allen (Bona's fifth son) in 1908, this Colonial Revival home was later purchased and completely renovated by Museum of Buford curator, Lynn A. Bowman.

Stonehedge (The Kate Allen Shadburn House):

Once believed to have been a wedding gift from her father, this home was owned by Bona Allen's only daughter, Kate, and her husband (and Allen business competitor) Burl Shadburn. Built around 1904, it still stands on Shadburn Avenue. Known for it's beautiful gardens, Stonehedge, like the Bona Allen, Sr. Mansion, was used as an event and wedding center  for many years.

There was one other Allen home owned by son, Clarence. It was located on what is now Main Street, but torn down in 1941. No photo is available.

The Museum of Buford  has photographs of several other historic homes located in Buford, which can be seen online here. The Museum has also created a Self Guided Walking Tour of Historic Buford, which encompasses all of the still standing Allen homes, as well as some of  Buford's historic churches and other historic landmarks in the downtown area.

Rebecca

*Historic Buford, by Handsel Grady Morgan, can be purchased at the Museum of Buford for $35.