About Lapham-Patterson House State Historic Site
The Lapham-Patterson House, located in Thomasville, Georgia, is a National Historic Landmark designated in 1975 for its exceptional Victorian-era architecture. Built between 1884 and 1885 as a winter cottage for Chicago shoe merchant C.W. Lapham, the house features fishscale shingles, oriental-style porch decorations, long-leaf pine inlaid floors, and a unique double-flue chimney with a walk-through stairway and cantilevered balcony. It was among the first homes in the region to include gas lighting, hot and cold running water, indoor plumbing, and modern closets. The property was sold in 1894 and later acquired by James G. Patterson in 1905, who owned it until 1970.
The historic site offers guided tours of the house and allows leashed pets on its trails, though pets are not permitted inside the buildings. Visitors can explore the architecture and learn about the lives of its original owners and the resort culture of late 19th-century Thomasville.