This week, for Thursday Doors, we are visiting the Swan House, which is part of the Atlanta History Center!

Edward Inman was heir to a large cotton brokerage firm which grew after the Civil War. He was an Atlanta businessman with ties to real estate, transportation and banking. His wife Emily, enjoyed politics and the society life. In 1924, the architectural firm of Hentz, Reid and Adler was hired to design a house on their 28-acre property in Buckhead, a high-end residential neighborhood in Atlanta, even today!

Noted architect, Philip Trammel Shutze, designed Swan House and the gardens, as well as many other important buildings in the city. He worked closely with Mrs Inman, to make the house very modern and meet her every whim! Swan House is considered Shutz’s finest residential work. The Swan House, on the National Register of Historic Places, is now open to visitors, as an interactive experience. (More about that in another post)

In 1928, the Inman’s moved into their new home. That next year, the country was hit hard by the Great Depression and three years later Edward Inman was dead . He was only 49.  Emily asked her oldest son, Hugh, his wife and two small children, to move into the home with her. They all lived there until the grandchildren were married and had moved out. After Mrs Inman’s death in 1965, the Atlanta Historical Society bought the house and property. It contains many of the original furnishings as well as a large, large collection of decorative arts owned by Philip Shutze. Let’s take a look, shall we?

This the back entrance of the home and as you can see, one of their cars is parked here! This is a Super-Six Sedan, built by the Hudson Motor Car Company in 1929. A luxury touring car, this car had a sales price starting at $1,795. Shutze, designed a garage to accommodate Inman’s six automobiles. The garage sits on the hill above the retaining wall behind Swan House. Today, that building is the Swan House Restaurant, Gallery and Gift Shop. Mr Inman was passionate about his cars and frequently took the overnight train from Atlanta to New York.  Once in NewYork, he got up early to purchase a new car and then returned on the next train to Atlanta. Over time, he also owned a steam powered car manufactured by the White Motor Company and cars by Simplex, Stearns, Cadillac, and Pierce-Arrow.

Up personal…..

And, from the side!

Henry Ford developed the “T,” commonly known as the Tin Lizzie. The car was mass produced and accessible to everyone. From 1908-1927, the inexpensive price, ease of operation and interchangeable parts, made it the most popular car in the US. By 1925, the price was $300 and the car cruised at 40 miles per hour! The Touring Sedan, like this one, featured a battery start and a convertible top! The Inman family owned a car like this one and their chauffeur, Grant Carter, taught Edward Inman, Jr how to drive it. The Inman’s used it for quick errands and shopping trips to Buckhead. Jr used it for joy riding the city streets of downtown Atlanta!

Let’s move on to house doors! This was the entrance to the home  ……..from the driveway.

And, here is the main foyer!

Fancy doors and not so fancy doors here!

Some doors have fancy entryways to go with them…………

This was the garden entrance to Swan House…….

Closer…….

Closer…….

Although, we went through all the main rooms of the house, we did not tour the inside of the two porticoes on either side of the house. I believe they were indoor-outdoor sitting porches.

I Hope you have enjoyed viewing the outside of this beautiful residence. Join me next to see more of the inside! I’ll reveal why it was called the Swan House and more! It was a real treat! Cady

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