MARIETTA — Cherokee Heights, one of the first planned developments in Marietta, was on display at the Marietta Pilgrimage Christmas Home Tour last weekend to showcase cozy cottage living in full holiday décor.
“This year is different in that all of the homes are cottage-style,” said Trevor Beemon, executive director of Cobb Landmarks, a local preservationist society.
Cherokee Heights, complete with sewage, electricity and water, was developed in 1924.
Beemon, whose group sold tickets at the William Root House and coordinated marketing for the tour, said another interesting change is that “all but one of the five showcased homes have children living there.”
Every year, the tour’s committee selects an area to spotlight, inviting the homeowners to participate. Five homes are selected and 200-300 volunteers are recruited to create a three-day event that has been a mainstay in Marietta for 37 years. Launched by Visit Marietta’s retired executive director Teresa Jenkins, who continues to be active on the committee, the tour is a fundraiser. Cobb Landmarks and Visit Marietta each receive about $30,000, Beemon said.
Cairnes-Burklow House, circa 1929
Most likely built as a wedding present to the first owners, the lot for this home was sold in 1929 to Wade Cairnes, the district manager for A&P Stores. His family owned the house until 1973. Several families have enjoyed the home, including Rev. Gordon Thompson, who lived in the brick home on Freyer Drive with his wife while he served at Marietta First United Methodist Church from 1957 to 1963. Another family was that of Sally Litchfield, a former columnist for the Marietta Daily Journal and her husband Gregg, a partner at Haynie, Litchfield and White law firm.
The current owners, Jenny and Jon Burklow, purchased the home in 2011 and display many antiques, including a chandelier that…
Read the full article here
