Lapham–Patterson House | |
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| Location | Thomasville, Georgia |
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| Coordinates | 30°50′44″N83°58′59″W / 30.84562°N 83.98296°W /30.84562; -83.98296 |
| Built | 1885 |
| Architect | Rommerdal, Tudor |
| Architectural style | Queen Ann Whimsey |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000868[1] |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | August 12, 1970 |
| Designated NHL | November 7, 1973[2] |
TheLapham–Patterson House is a historic site at 626 North Dawson Street inThomasville, Georgia. The house, built between 1884-85 as a winter cottage for businessman C.W. Lapham ofChicago, is a significant example ofVictorian architecture. It has a number of architectural details, such as fishscale shingles, an intricately designed porch, long-leaf pine inlaid floors, and a double-flue chimney. Inside, the house was well-appointed with a gas lighting system, hot and cold running water, indoor plumbing, and modern closets. Its most significant feature is its completely intentional lack of symmetry. None of the windows, doors, or closets are square. The house is a Georgia Historic Site[3] and is also aNational Historic Landmark, designated in 1973 for its architecture.[4] It is also acontributing building in the National Register-listedDawson Street Residential Historic District.
The three-story structure has a mellow-yellow exterior with brick-red roof and chimneys. At the core of the house is a hexagonal-shaped room. There are at least 50 exits; Mr. Lapham had been in theGreat Chicago Fire and subsequently became paranoid about being trapped in a burning building.
The house was deliberately constructed slightly askew to take advantage of sunlight entering the third floor during the Spring and FallEquinoxes. Within is a gentlemen's parlor with a small stage featuring astained-glass window in the center. In the fretwork outside the room over the balcony are animal and amorphous shapes cut into the wood. In the center is a cutout of what is presumably the head ofMrs. O'Leary's cow.
During the Spring and Fall Equinoxes the patterns are projected by sunlight onto the floor through the glass. The total effect is that, in the center of the stained glass window's colorful pattern on the floor, the shadow of the cow's head can be seen.
Mr. Lapham was a Quaker.
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