The historical McAfee House property, located at the intersection of Barrett Parkway and Bells Ferry Road in Cobb County, was the scene of a tragic incident that transpired over the weekend. This historic estate suffered a substantial loss for the local heritage community on Saturday afternoon, when one of the two barns was destroyed in a destructive fire.
Lt. Steve Bennett, in command of the Cobb County Fire Department, was promptly mobilized to the location at approximately 1:00 p.m. in response to the urgent situation. With the timely and effective suppression of the fire by the firefighters, additional harm to the adjacent edifices was averted from the catastrophe within an hour. Lieutenant Bennett expressed appreciation for the prompt reaction, emphasizing the successful containment of the fire within a brief period.
Considuous of the region’s illustrious history, the McAfee House has been designated a historic landmark by Cobb Landmarks. Due to the hazardous proximity of the main house to the barn, Trevor Beemon, executive director of Cobb Landmarks, expressed relief that the fire had not extended to the structure.
With a rich history that includes housing Union Brigadier General Kenner Garrard’s headquarters during the American Civil War, the McAfee House was constructed in the 1840s, making it one of the earliest structures still standing in Cobb County. The historical enigma of the house has been further compounded by persistent rumors regarding its former function as a field hospital, which included accounts of bloodstains concealed beneath the carpets.
Uninhabited at the time of the fire, the property was presently under the ownership of a family that has not dwelled there for more than ten years. As scholars and authorities equally continue to explore this regrettable incident, the source of the fire is still being investigated.
The pressure to conserve the McAfee House and its remaining structures has increased in tandem with the encroachment of modern developments on the area. In light of the impending commercial development on the property, Cobb Landmarks is in favor of relocating these historical assets in order to safeguard them against the risk of demolition.
Striking a balance between the practicalities of modern development pressures and the preservation of the site’s historical importance constitutes the obstacle. Without losing sight of a portion of Cobb County’s history, Beemon and his organization are anticipating the arrival of a “unicorn buyer” who is prepared to make a financial investment in the house’s conservation and relocation.
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The fire at the McAfee House barn serves as a poignant reminder to the community of the critical nature of preserving our historical heritage in the face of unyielding progress, as it continues to mourn this loss.