Clarkesville, Georgia
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Glen-Ella
Springs is a historical sight located in Clarkesville that dates back to
the early 1800's. The land was acquired by Glen Davidson's father
during the Cherokee land give away, and amounted to 600 acres in all.
This land was passed down to Glen, and he and his wife Ella built a homeplace
on it in 1875. With the development of the Tallulah Falls Railroad
and the tourism that resulted, the homeplace was expanded in 1890 to take
in guests. In 1905, these renovations were completely finished, and
the structure was much as it is today.
The
fall of the railroad and the damning of Tallulah Falls led to the inn's
closing in 1920, though family members inhabited the residence until the
1950's when it was auctioned off to a Methodist minister for use as a boy's
home for orphans. In 1985, Bobbie and Barrie Aycock bought the house
and immediately renovated the structure. They re-opened the hotel
in 1987 and it is on the National Historic Homes registry. The hotel
is still in operation and has 16 guest rooms and good, southern gourmet.