- Collection:
- Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation Presentation Slide Collection, 1968-2000
- Title:
- The Castle
- Creator:
- Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation
- Contributor to Resource:
- McMillan, Ferdinand, 1859-1920
Luksus, Tzaims, 1932- - Date of Original:
- 1998
- Subject:
- Architecture
Historic sites--Georgia--Fulton County
Historic buildings--Georgia--Fulton County
Architecture, Domestic--Georgia--Fulton County
Cultural property--Protection
Historic preservation--Georgia
Historic buildings--Conservation and restoration - Location:
- United States, Georgia, Fulton County, Atlanta, 33.749, -84.38798
- Medium:
- color slides
historic houses
historic preservation
historic buildings - Type:
- Still Image
- Format:
- image/jp2
- Description:
- "The Castle," originally known as "Fort Peace," a unique architectural building in Atlanta, was designed and built by Ferdinand McMillan (1859-1920) as his retirement home starting in 1904; the structure quickly became a city landmark. The property also included extensive gardens with a unique sub-irrigation system, reflecting McMillan's inventive nature. McMillan, a Civil War veteran and successful businessman, intentionally designed the house himself, going solo and eschewing architects to ensure originality. The building features distinctive elements such as shaped asbestos shingles, a high granite wall with "mouths of Cannon," and an elaborate tribute to his friend and former neighbor Joel Chandler Harris, including niches for marble rabbits and a drinking fountain called the "Uncle Remus spring." Following McMillan's death in 1920 and his wife's in 1925, the house transitioned from a private residence to a hub for the Atlanta arts community. In 1938, it housed the Atlanta Theatre Guild, and in 1945, under Hazel Butler Roy's ownership, it became a haven for artists, with rooms rented to painters, dressmakers, and musicians. By the 1950s, it was formally known as "The Castle" and accommodated various arts organizations like the Children's Theatre of Atlanta and the Atlanta Writers' Club. The building also featured the Castle Playhouse and the Carriage Room Restaurant. From 1958-1960, the Golden Horne Espresso Caffé At The Castle was created and operated by James Henry Lukshus, who became the famous internationally known artist and fashion designer haute couturier Tzaims Luksus. His café was in the Castle's carriage room at street level and he lived in the stone studio directly above it. The Golden Horne at the time was the first and most internationally famous café in Atlanta. After a period of vacancy and deterioration in the late 1970s, the Castle is now undergoing redevelopment, ensuring its preservation as a historical and cultural landmark. Variant names include: The Castle, Fort Peace, Golden Horne Espresso Caffé, Golden Horne Café. See ref# 100002982 (Fort Peace) https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/national-register-listed-20240710.xlsx
- External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/gthp_gthp-slides_422
- Digital Object URL:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/gthp_gthp-slides_422#item
- IIIF manifest:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/gthp_gthp-slides_422/presentation/manifest.json
- Language:
- eng
- Additional Rights Information:
- Please contact holding institution for information regarding use and copyright status.
- Holding Institution:
- Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation
- Rights:
-
