- Lapham-Patterson House
Infobox_nrhp2 | name =Lapham-Patterson House
nhl = yes
caption =
location=Thomasville, Georgia
lat_degrees = 30 | lat_minutes = 50 | lat_seconds = 45.74 | lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 83 | long_minutes = 58 | long_seconds = 59.03 | long_direction = W
area =
built =1885
architect= Miller, William
architecture= Late Victorian
designated_nhl =November 7 ,1973 cite web|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1042&ResourceType=Site
title=Lapham-Patterson House |accessdate=2008-06-21|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing|publisher=National Park Service]
added =August 12 ,1970
governing_body = Private
locmapin=USA Georgia
refnum=70000868cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2006-03-15|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service] The architect of the Lapham-Patterson House was Tudor Rommerdal of Thomasville, GA...he also designed the "Octagonal" House in Thomasville...he was killed during the collapse of a brick water tower he was constructing.The Lapham-Patterson House is a historic site in
Thomasville, 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 and is also aNational Historic Landmark , which also puts it on theNational Register of Historic Places . [cite web|url=http://gastateparks.org/info/lapham/|title=Georgia State Parks - Lapham-Patterson House Historic Site|accessdate=2007-03-02]The 3-story structure has a mellow-yellow exterior with pink roof and chimneys. At the core of the house is an octagonal-shaped room. There are at least 50 exits due to the fact that Mr. Lapham had been in the
Great 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 Fall
Equinox es. 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 hexagons 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 hex 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 but was also deeply involved in the Occult. Workers at the house have reported unusual occurrences which some have attributed to
paranormal activity.References
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