Roswell Attractions

Barrington Hall	Chattahoochee	Vickory Creek

Barrington Hall

Aristocrats from the Georgia sea coast, seeking a healthier climate, selected the site of Rowell, and here, on the bluffs over looking the creeks of the Chattahoochee River, they built their plantation homes in the early 19th century. Barrington King, co-founder of Roswell, selected the highest point in Roswell for his home, Barrington Hall. It was built in the Greek Revival style of architecture and was completed in 1842.

The home remained in the hands of the Barrington King Family until 2002. Barrington Hall is listed on the National Register and was included in Atlanta magazine's list of the 50 Most Beautiful Homes in Metro Atlanta.

In 2005, the home, its original furnishings, and all surrounding grounds were purchased by the city of Roswell. The city is committed to ensuring Barrington Hall will be maintained as a historical treasure and available to the public for historical, cultural, and educational purposes.

Archibald "Smith" Plantation

Hidden among the trees in Historic Roswell, Georgia lies the elegant home constructed by one of the town's founding fathers, Archibald Smith. In 1838, the Smith family and nearly 30 of their slaves left their two plantations in St. Marys, along the southern coast of Georgia, to make a new start with some 300 acres of cotton farmland north of the Roswell Town Square. What this well-to-do 19th Century farming family did not realize when they constructed their home was that it woud be preserved by their descendants as an untouched treasure of southern history.

For over 150 years, the Smith’s Plantation Home has stood the test of time as The Civil War was brought to its front steps, and all around it, the small mill village of Roswell erupted into a bustling metropolitan suburb. Perfectly preserved are the Smiths two-story farm house, complete with outbuildings, including slave quarters, a cook house, corn crib, barn, carriage house, well, and spring house.

Three generations of the Archibald Smith family lived in this home and saved all of their belongings, large and small, important and trivial, broken or whole. The home and grounds have become one of the best examples of architectural, cultural, and historical interpretation found in the region.

Bulloch Hall

Completed in 1839 for Major James Stephens Bulloch, one of Roswell's founders, Bulloch Hall is a Greek Revival structure and one of the South's finest examples of true temple-form architecture.Mittie Bulloch spent her childhood in this white columned home. Growing up, she met a young man from the prominent Roosevelt family of New York, captivating his heart during his trip to the South. Little did the guests at the Christmastime wedding realize they were witnessing a union that would produce a United States President, Teddy Roosevelt. Their other son, Elliott, was the father of Eleanor Roosevelt who would serve as our nation’s most beloved First Lady, forever changing the role of women in the White House. Visiting this home you will understand why Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone With The Wind, sought out the last living bridesmaid and wrote about the event in The Atlanta Constitution.

Vickory Creek (Big Creek)

Much of the land east of the creek and west of Grimes Bridge Road in Roswell, Georgia, forms the Vickery Creek unit of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.

Vickery Creek is named after a Cherokee woman named Sharlot Vickery that lived in present-day Roswell and owned much of the land around the creek. The creek was originally called Cedar Creek; however, the name was changed to Vickery some time after the arrival of Roswell King and family in 1834.

Upstream of the covered bridge and Ivy Mill is a man-made waterfall, where some people come to swim and play. There are paths that lead upriver, including one that leads to a rock formation that has become a popular jumping spot.

Unfortunately, there have been several accidents, including slipping from the dam and otherwise hitting rocks, particularly from the rope swing that was set up. Due to this, signs are posted and the rope swing was cut down, but people continue to come to enjoy the river.