This intriguing Georgia property, nestled in a wooded lot and shrouded in foliage, has quite the story to tell. The early twentieth-century property, captured by Leland Kent of Abandoned Southeast, changed hands several times until being acquired by a certain Mr. John McCown in 1967.
McCown, who was both revered and loathed, helped influence the history of the region, making the home the monument it is today. Go inside to learn more about its turbulent past…
Reclaimed By Nature
The property has clearly been neglected for decades, as seen by the decrepit façade. The once-imposing central tower has begun to disintegrate, and some window panes are missing. Mother Nature has reclaimed the structure, with flora crawling through the bottom level and clinging to the porch roof.
Faded Grandeur
Inside, the scenario is similar: portions of the roof are crumbling and the walls are covered with a thick film of black mold. Yet, the mansion has more than a sense of its former grandeur – the magnificent tongue-and-groove paneling is exceptionally well-kept, and the elaborate parquet ceiling attests to the richness of its previous owners.
An Intriguing Past
John McCown, who was born in South Carolina in 1934 and reared in Harlem, was a fairly divisive figure. He was already a significant participant in the black civil rights movement when he purchased the land in 1967, having led the first-ever civil rights march in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and subsequently working with the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE).
Décor From Days Gone By
Within his old house, the fading décor in the main area reveals McCown’s preferences. The blue and red paisley wallpaper may be considered daring now, but it was very fashionable in the 1970s. The fireplace has been bricked over, but the mantel has been lacquered to a glossy shine and adorned with haut-relief sculptures and a beveled glass mirror.
Relocating to Hancock County
While the wallpaper is falling away to show exposed wood planks, the coffered ceiling is holding up well. McCown moved into the property when he was 33 years old, when he traveled to Hancock County to help with voter registration for black people, taking on the post of executive director of the Georgia Council on Human Relations. It was one of the poorest regions in the United States at the time, with almost half of its black population living below the poverty line.
Progress at Last
Going upstairs, detritus litters the stairway and wetness can be seen on the walls, a long cry from its golden splendor. McCown created the Eastern Central Committee for Opportunity (ECCO) in the early 1970s to improve the lives of black people in Hancock County. After a few years, the organization had obtained millions of dollars in private and federal funding, and with McCown’s assistance, Hancock County became Georgia’s first region to elect a black-majority board of county commissioners.
Ornate Period Features
The abandoned mansion, adorned with extravagant embellishments, still displays McCown’s position of affluence. The campaigner allegedly purchased several more houses and hundreds of acres of land over the years. This white-painted staircase is a distinctive architectural element that has weathered the years amazingly well, thanks to its delicately carved balusters and newels.
Old Meets New
Many open entrances go off the upper landing to the property’s bedrooms. A thick, partially closed curtain lets in light, forming spooky shadows on the dusty flooring. We picked a delicate floral design with a contrasting navy-blue border on one side of the room and an altogether more modern wallpaper with striking pastel stripes on the other.
Derelict Bedroom
Because relatively few personal things remain, it’s uncertain if this chamber originally belonged to the guy himself. A chest of drawers is positioned in front of a window, with a metal chair with leather upholstery and a bouquet of red flowers. Broken dinnerware is scattered over the floor, and a big piece of wallpaper is crumpled in a forlorn heap.
Empty Spaces
In another area, the debris has been removed, leaving a blank space with a single chair. The walls are coated with wood-effect paper, which was popular in the 1970s. The sun shines through the sheer white curtains, throwing a golden light over the room. It is easy to see what the room would have looked like about half a century ago on a bright and misty morning.
The Arms Race
Throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, racial tensions in Hancock County grew. According to a 1971 New York Times article, the white mayor of Sparta acquired ten submachine guns with the supposed intention of scaring the black people. In reaction, black leaders requested 30 more submachine guns, and McCown is accused of pushing African Americans to acquire and stockpile weaponry.
A Piece Of History
Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter (soon to be the 39th President of the United States) was called in as a mediator, and the ‘weapons race’ was eventually called off. We’re sure these walls witnessed many late-night discussions between McCown and his political friends during that difficult period – if only walls could talk!
Overgrown Veranda
As you step outside onto the balcony, it’s nearly hard to see the surrounding area. A dense layer of foliage is beginning to creep across the decks towards the house, obscuring the balcony. McCown would have once paced the boards of this terrace, probably planning his next move while surveying the property’s beautiful gardens.
Decorative Balconies
The creeping vines in front of the home have begun to die back in parts, displaying more of the elegant wraparound veranda. These were a typical feature of early twentieth-century residences, meant to provide shade in the summer and provide a pleasant outside dining space. If you look closely, you can still see the finely carved pillars, balusters, and brackets, which indicate the opulence of the owners.
Scandal in Hancock
Money was ultimately the reason for McCown’s collapse. The Atlanta Constitution published a series of articles in 1974 that brought McCown’s legitimacy to lead ECCO into doubt, suggesting that he had transferred poverty monies for his own personal benefit. It was the last straw.
Under Investigation
Internal Revenue Service was tasked with conducting an internal audit of ECCO’s finances. The findings indicated ‘questionable’ charges of $281,000, which were eventually lowered to $90,000. A federal grand jury inquiry into ECCO and McCown was launched in order to determine whether the organization’s finances had been misappropriated.
Secrets Buried In The Garden
The grounds around the abandoned property are in far better condition than the house itself. The grass has recently been mowed, and the low shrubs have been carefully clipped. A little clearing behind the home is nearly fully surrounded by box hedges. In its heart is a weird stone block…
McCown’s Final Resting Place
This is the last resting place of John McCown, who died on January 30, 1976, at the age of 41. After being fired as CEO of ECCO, McCown decided to take a few pals on a ride in a single-engine Cessna. McCown and two of his three buddies were killed when the plane crashed in the woods near his home.
The End of ECCO
His death had no effect on the trial’s continuation. Finally, five ECCO members were convicted of misusing federal poverty monies, thereby putting a stop to the organization’s operations. While tremendous progress was accomplished in Hancock County, the ECCO’s credibility was shattered.
An Enduring Legacy
Today, the mansion exists as a memorial of John McCown’s labor in Hancock County. Whether he was a savior or a charlatan, Georgia’s “political boss” surely contributed to the triumph of the civil rights movement in the United States. His legacy goes on even as his abandoned house degrades and disintegrates.
