HISTORIC GORDONIDO

Gordonido, located at 1420 Wynnton Road, is a Georgian house that was constructed in 1837 by John R. Dawson and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 8, 1979.

By R. CALIGARIS Photos by DOUG ROTH PHOTOGRAPHY

In June of 1837, John R. Dawson acquired almost 6 acres from Colonel William L. Wynn. The property is located in the Wynn's Hill-Overlook-Oak Circle Historic District which is an early- to mid 20th-century Columbus neighborhood that was developed from earlier mid-19th -century estates. The home remained in the Dawson family until 1878.

The original landowner in the area was Colonel William L. Wynn, who was deeded 100 acres from the State of Georgia in 1834, and the area became known as Wynn's Hill. In 1844, Colonel Wynn sold 12 acres to Lambert Spencer, who built the Elms (outside of the district); and in 1837, Wynn sold six acres to John R. Dawson who built his home, the "Old Dawson Place", later known as Gordonido.

Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Gilbert, the parents of Supreme Court Justice S. Price Gilbert of Atlanta purchased the house next and in 1885, the Gilberts sold the house to Judge J. T. Willis. In 1913, the Willis heirs sold the estate to Frederick B. Gordon, president of the Columbus Manufacturing Company.

Frederick B. Gordon moved to Columbus from Newton, Massachusetts in 1878 and in 1899, organized the Columbus Manufacturing Company. In 1928, the company had 2,782 looms and 63,840 spindles, and by 1949, it was operating 75,000 ring spindles and using 30,000 bales of cotton annually. Originally known as the Dawson Place, the home was renamed Gordonido, which is Spanish for Gordon's "nest" or "residence."

Rosa Crook Martin, Frederick’s wife, was the founder of the Woman's Club of Columbus in 1925. As the first elected president, she was instrumental in assisting with the purchase of the Woman's Club's first home located at 1425 Wynnton Road (no longer existent), across the street from Gordonido. The house burned in January 1979 forcing the Woman's Club to move.

The Gordons' daughter, Margaret Gordon Richards and her husband Walter A. Richards inherited Gordonido. Atlanta-based landscape architect Edward L. Daugherty designed the gardens to complement the architecture of the house. Currently, the owners of this historical home are Jerry and Marjorie Newman.

This beautiful historic home features 5 bedrooms, 4 full baths and 2 half baths,

7,593 sqft, 1.4 acres, and is currently for sale. For inquiries or more information

please contact Melissa Thomas with Coldwell Banker Kennon, Parker,

Duncan & Davis at 706.575.0669 or go online to www.melissathomashomes.com

Property information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.