Property Owners, Volunteer Honored By Cherokee Historical Society

CANTON, GA -- The Cherokee County Historical Society honored their Volunteer of the Year and six historic property owners for their outstanding work in historic preservation on March 28. In addition, the Society recognized the City of Canton for its efforts over the years to promote historic preservation and integrate downtown revitalization and redevelopment.

“This is the one night a year when we get to celebrate historic preservation success stories in Cherokee County,” Historical Society Director Stefanie Joyner said in a release. “We’re especially pleased to recognize the City of Canton for demonstrating how preservation can work in tandem with development, instead of against it. Historic preservation is the economic engine driving the revitalization of downtown Canton right now, and we owe that to the leadership of Canton City Council.”

Three of the award recipients this year also qualified for historic preservation tax credits. Their renovation efforts were certified by the State Historic Preservation Office, and they can receive a percentage of the renovation costs as credits on their income tax returns.

“These tax credits can really help make an historic renovation cost-effective,” Joyner said. “It evens the playing field with new construction. These three projects generated over $146,250 in state and federal tax credits for the property owners.”

The honorees are:

• Volunteer of the Year: This year, the Cherokee County Historical Society recognized Lou Karably as the Volunteer of the Year. Karably has volunteered to work in the History Museum every Thursday afternoon for over five years. “Lou has been a faithful volunteer and his curiosity about the history and geology of our area keeps us on our toes,” Joyner said. “He is always finding new resources for our research library, and we are grateful for his support and knowledge.”
• Byers Home, Ball Ground: This Queen Anne style home has been occupied by generations of the Byers family since the 1920s. Built in 1906 for the Hardin family, David and Jennie Byers have continued their family’s tradition of caring for the home, which features a wrap-around front porch, original fireplaces, french doors and millwork.
• Greene-Hall Home, Ball Ground: Built in 1906, the home was renovated in the 1920s with Art Deco elements. Michael and Beth Hall have lived in the home for 30 years and carefully maintained its historic elements when repairs were necessary. The home is filled with original details such as the fireplace mantels, windows, doors and hardware.
• Holcomb-Joyner Home, Ball Ground: The Historical Society recognizes Executive Director Stefanie Joyner’s home this year. Joyner purchased the property in 2015 and did an extensive renovation which qualified for state historic preservation tax credits. During the process, Joyner restored the original floorplan and uncovered many historic elements that had been hidden over the years.
• Bobo-Lusk Home, Canton: When Lee Lusk purchased this two-story Main Street landmark building it was in poor condition. He renovated the structure, taking care to preserve the plaster walls and original features. The second story porch was rebuilt, and new handrails carved using the first floor balustrade as an example. Since this is an income-producing property, Lusk received both State and Federal historic preservation tax credits.
• Johnston Home, Canton: This Craftsman style home was built in 1923 with clipped side gables and a front porch with tapered columns on marble-topped brick pedestals. Over two years, Nathan and Jennifer Johnston completely renovated the home but preserved the original floors, plaster walls, doors and windows. They were awarded State historic preservation tax credits for the project.
• Jones Building, Canton: The existing Jones Mercantile Building was constructed in 1914, with an addition following in the 1920s. The building was modernized in the 1950s by architect John Portman, and in 1970 the historic brick exterior was covered with aluminum and stucco paneling. After operating for 100 years, Jones Mercantile closed and the building was sold to Cherokee County. In 2017 the City of Canton acquired the building and renovated the structure, restoring the exterior to its 1920s appearance. The interior space was also returned to the store’s open layout.
• Preservation Service Award to the City of Canton: The Historical Society is pleased to recognize the Canton City Council for its members’ work to preserve the history and heritage of the City of Canton. They have chosen to focus on historic preservation as the cornerstone of the downtown redevelopment. This in turn, has created a unique architectural backdrop celebrating the very best of our past while embracing the creativity and vibrancy of the downtown merchants who are creating a one-of-a kind experience for diners, shoppers and visitors to Canton. From occupying historic buildings, to leveraging their partnerships to preserve the Grammar School and Canton Cotton Mill office, to their renovation of the Jones Building, and establishing the Historic Preservation Commission, the City has demonstrated that historic preservation can be a part of a successful redevelopment plan and is important to economic development within the county, the region and the state of Georgia. The Historical Society applauds City Council for setting this example to other municipalities around the county and state.