This Southern belle is almost 200 years old: why was it left to rot?

Discover the secrets of this forlorn historic home

Once owned by a prestigious family in Union Point, Georgia, Hawthorne Heights was the epitome of luxury. Dating back to the mid-19th century, the historic mansion went from riches to rags in a matter of decades. So what happened?

Photographer Leland Kent of Abandoned Southeast captured the mansion in all its derelict glory in spring 2022.

Read on to take a tour of this enigmatic Southern gem and discover how it fell from grace...

Unlikely origins

A classic railroad town, Union Point began to flourish after a train junction was built there in 1834, bringing with it an influx of new workers and residents. Hawthorne Heights began life as a Gothic Revival cottage, built by James Brooks Hart and his wife, Maria, around 1848. The site was chosen due to its elevated outlook and views of the railroad and commercial district below.

In the late 1890s, Samuel H. Sibley, a relative of James Brooks Hart, founded the town’s textile mill industry – pictured here in 1941 – which brought new wealth into the area.

Regal renovation

Thanks to the boom, local families began renovating their homes and Hawthorne Heights was no exception.

This photograph was captured in 1941 and shows the property in all of its glory. The home was reportedly named after the thick hawthorn hedge that surrounded the garden.

A dramatic change

Today, the three-storey neo-classical revival mansion is still defined by its central pedimented portico and its towering columns. Sadly, James passed away in 1875 at the age of 59, and Maria in 1890, so it’s likely the property was renovated by one of the Harts’ five children, although there are no records to confirm this.

We do know that by the 1940s the house belonged to Harold Lamb, whose wife was a relative of the Hart-Sibley family.

A refined home

This incredible historic photograph, captured in approximately 1941, shows Harold and his wife posing inside the house. At the time, Harold was the owner of the Union-Chipman Mill, the textile factory that James' relative, Samuel H. Sibley, helped to establish in the late 19th century. By the time the Lambs owned Hawthorne Heights, it stretched across an impressive 5,899 square feet (548sqm), featuring grand reception rooms, seven bedrooms and three bathrooms, as well as sprawling landscaped grounds.

According to The Digital Library of Georgia, Mrs. Lamb collected fine antiques and added to those her father and mother had bought while travelling.

Empty and unloved

Yet in more recent times, the tumbledown treasure has sat empty and unloved. So, what happened? Well, according to Leland Kent of Abandoned Southeast, after the Second World War the railroad began to lose importance.

The steady stream of passengers had all but vanished by the 1970s, and although the textile mill continued to produce throughout the 20th century, wealth slowly declined in the area. In the 1990s, the house was bought by the mill, which was presided over by Sibley Brian, Jr., a descendant of the Hart family.

Elegant entrance

In recent years, Hawthorne Heights was owned by an elderly couple who had a reverse mortgage on the house. Sadly, this led to the bank later taking ownership of the abandoned mansion, leaving the structure empty while they attempted to secure a buyer. As such, the property fell into a state of disrepair.

Despite this, the home's interior still commands attention, and it's easy to imagine just how impressive the building once was. The front door opens into a light-filled hallway, with a double-height ceiling and imposing staircase.

Copious living spaces

The impressive entrance hall leads through to numerous reception rooms, where the home's previous owners, mostly members of the Hart and Sibley families, no doubt hosted endless lavish soireés, formal dinner parties and family celebrations.

Free-flowing, light-filled and spacious, this property could never be described as pokey!

Plenty of plus sides

Even after sitting empty for years, the historic home still shows signs of its elegant past. Everywhere you look you'll spot glorious period details, such as large sash windows, decorative fireplaces, chic hardwood floors and delicate ceiling roses.

In some rooms, the original light fixtures remain intact, too.

Formal entertaining rooms

While some of the rooms boast crisp white walls, others have been decorated with rich paints or attractive wallpapers, including this formal sitting room, which was once likely used for hosting any visitors for tea and sandwiches.

No signs of life

These modern photographs highlight just how much the interior has changed in the last eight decades.

There's no trace of the home's former furnishings, gilded mirrors, velvet window dressings or high-end rugs. The rooms sit empty and devoid of furnishings and personal mementos. Perhaps the bank sold off the contents of the house when they came into ownership, or maybe the last couple to live here took their belongings with them when they left.

A space for staff

As well as plenty of formal living spaces for work, rest and play, the house also harbours areas that were clearly reserved for staff members. This side room, just off the kitchen, was likely used by the home's servants, who would wait on the owners hand and foot.

Here, they likely polished cutlery, stacked plates after dinner parties and stored spirits for shaking up the finest cocktails. We can almost hear the sound of clanking crockery!

Crumbling kitchen

The space leads into a dusty and dilapidated old kitchen. From its broken window shutters to its old-fashioned cupboard doors, some of which are hanging on by a thread, it's clear this room hasn't seen a lot of culinary action in recent years.

Still, the walk-in pantry and gorgeous wood floor would definitely be worth restoring.

Statement staircase

This elegant staircase sits at the heart of the home and leads upstairs to seven bedrooms and three bathrooms.

Though covered in a thick layer of debris, it's clear to see how lovely this staircase would once have been – especially given the decorative statement ceiling that sits above it.

Bountiful bedrooms

Much like the formal living spaces downstairs, the bedrooms in the abandoned mansion still show signs of splendour, despite being a little worse for wear.

Light-filled and sprawling, these rooms would once have been furnished with gorgeous beds, the finest linens and luxe window dressings.

Striking master

This large room, with its dual fireplaces, huge six-over-six sash windows, hardwood floors and ornate plasterwork, was likely the master bedroom.

Though showing signs of damp and mould, we can imagine how stunning it would be if given the right amount of love and attention.

Vintage bathrooms

This vintage bathroom is just one of three in the home, each of which comes with an amazing old-fashioned suite, built-in shelving and old tiles that have seen better days.

Again, there's strong signs of mould and damp in this space – as well as a bathtub filled with abandoned cleaning products.

A room of one's own

This bright, light-filled room was also likely a bedroom, perhaps originally belonging to one of the Hart children. It may also have functioned as a grand playroom for the youngsters during their childhood.

Damp and decay

This bedroom has suffered worse from neglect than most rooms in the house. Over the years it's been taken over by dangerous black mould and has clearly succumbed to encroaching damp.

From its crumbling plasterwork to its flaking ceiling, this space is in need of major restoration works.

Personal effects

This is one of the only rooms in the house that still boasts personal effects and discarded belongings. Frozen in time, it's as if the last occupant left the objects behind in a hurry.

Heaped in the corner of the room, there appear to be a number of books and decorations discarded.

Vintage touches

This area of the house could well be where the interior connects to the prominent balcony at the front of the house, although it's not exactly clear. We just love the room's vintage cast iron radiator and striking timber window panels – both of which would be well worth rescuing.

Retro bathtub

This additional bathroom still has some beautiful original features, including the yellow wainscotting and freestanding claw-foot bathtub, which appears to be made from brass or copper, which is particularly fashionable now.

Musical past

Higher up in the house there's a room with an old, discarded piano. We wonder whether a member of the Hart, Sibley or Lamb family played the piano, and why the previous owner left their much-loved instrument behind when they left...

Room for improvement

There's even a large attic, which is certainly one of the home's most haunting spaces. Yet, with a little attention and the right lick of paint, we're sure the loft could be transformed into a beautiful master suite.

Boasting a generous ceiling and idyllic garden views, the space has plenty of promise.

Historic landmark

In 1991, Hawthorne Heights was added to the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing structure to the Union Point Historic District. Despite this, however, it's clear to see the property has remained unloved for many years.

Still, just one look at the home's incredible exterior, imposing columns and gorgeous green detailing and you can just imagine how amazing it once was, and how incredible it could be again with a little care and investment.

Sprawling grounds

The original garden was thought to be eight acres (3.2ha) in size, but currently the estate only spans a little over three acres (1.2ha), which means sections of land have likely been sold off over the years.

Pictured in 2022, it appears an overgrown and neglected space filled with broken swings, autumn leaves and aged trees.

Prestigious garden

According to the Downtown Development Authority of Union Point, the garden at Hawthorne Heights once contained a plant for every letter of the alphabet.

Plus, Leland Kent suggests the garden was a local attraction and even featured a tea bush that was sent from Japan to Washington D.C., by Commodore Matthew Perry in 1854.

The next chapter

Hawthorne Heights has been on and off the market several times over the years. It was listed in 2017 for $675,000 (£512k), but the listing was later removed. Then in July 2022 the property sold again for just $218,000 (£165k). It appeared to hit the market for a third time a few months later, but the listing was removed the following year.

Here’s hoping the owners bring this gorgeous historic home back to its former glory. Watch this space!