The Power-Jackson Cabin, a historic landmark in Cobb County, is set to receive a rejuvenation in the form of a $354,000 restoration approved this week by county commissioners. As reported by FOX 5 Atlanta, built between 1840 and 1850, this cabin is considered one of the county's oldest surviving structures and a unique example of rived log construction.
Moved to Hyde Farm Park last August to ensure its preservation, the cabin will now undergo several restoration measures including the installation of a stone foundation, new flooring, a special waterproofing treatment, and a covering of insecticide. Despite having raised $70,000 the group advocated for the cabin's relocation to Hyde Farm, where it now rests among two other structures from the same period, the additional funding comes by way of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds.
The Cobb Board of Commissioners unanimously approved funding for Hyde Farm restoration, as reported by East Cobb News. Leatherwood Inc., a company familiar with the farm from a 2014 project, was awarded the contract to repair the structure.
"As a collaborative community effort, moving the cabin to and restoring the cabin at Hyde Farm honors the history of Cobb County by saving this valuable historic asset," declared a commissioner's meeting agenda item, as mentioned in East Cobb News report. Commissioner JoAnn Birrell of East Cobb inquired into the potential uses of the restored cabin, to which Cobb PARKS director Michael Brantley suggested several possibilities for its incorporation into Hyde Farm's educational fabric, including nature exhibitions and heritage walks.
The original cost estimate of $321,000 was revised upward due to challenges uncovered during disassembly. The cabin, once owned by farmer William Power, was preserved after a failed rezoning attempt by its former landowner.
