Decorative Quality

-restoring the lost cast iron balcony railing of the T. R. R. Cobb House

Cast iron has always been considered eye candy but never more than in the case of the balcony railing on the T. R. R. Cobb House in Athens, Georgia. The house started its existence as a modest Federal farmhouse given as a wedding gift to a son-in-law and daughter in 1844. Eight years later in a spectacular renovation matching two story octagonal wings were added with two Corinthian style columns. To complete the transformation from farm house to mansion a cast iron railing was added to the balcony running behind the columns and attaching at either wing. It was the perfect foil for the impressive woodwork that comprised the rest of the structure.

Unfortunately the house had led a very hard life. It was used for rental property, a fraternity house and had even been relocated to a historically themed park in another city. At some point in this checkered career the balcony railing had been scrapped and a rather visually heavy wooden railing installed in its place. Gone was the lacy iron scrollwork of the panels with their slender sinuous handrail.

Now relocated to its hometown of Athens, Georgia and after a $3 million dollar restoration the Cobb House is again as it was when General Cobb’s family lived in it. Robinson craftsmen using historic photographs replicated the original panel casting and rebuilt the cast iron railing. Installed by Whitsell Construction Services, Inc. of Danielsville, Georgia it makes the fine statement General Cobb intended all those many years ago in 1852. The Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation and the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation have plans to operate the house as a Civil War museum.

At some point in time the original railing was replaced by this heavy wooden rail.

The new castt iron goes into position.

Photos Courtesy of Whitsell Construction