The Brown House
The William and Sara Smith Room
Before the iconic courthouse and the vicious Civil War, Andrew McBride, a Revolutionary War Patriot, bought several lots in the brand new town named McDonough in 1823. By 1826, he was lining his new home’s ceiling, floors, and walls with hardy pine. Today, his once modest cottage sits at 71 Macon Street. Built 200 years ago, the original McBride house, changed hands several times until Asa Brown (its namesake) bought it for his personal family residence in 1856.
After Asa’s death in 1874, his wife, Sallie Knott Brown, added a hotel to the residence. Needing to support her unmarried daughters, this was one of the only occupations deemed suitable for a single women at the time. She expanded the house, constructing a second floor by using the original hardy pine from the first floor. The new railroad helped the hotel gain popularity. In an 1883 Henry County Weekly article, it was noted that “The old reliable Brown House is voted by the traveling public to be the most hospitable and home like hotel between Macon and Atlanta.”
While owners came and went throughout the years, The Brown House remained a hotel until 1954, when sold to Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Goodhue. The once bustling hotel and cafeteria was transformed to the Hattie Lewis Goodhue law office, maintaining the residence for the family, as well. The Goodhue’s made numerous changes to the house, including removing the long two-tiered Victorian porch. By 1986, the Brown House was owned by Mr. and Mrs. William R. Smith, who deeded it to the Henry County Landmarks, Inc. It was listed on the National Registry of Historical Places in 1991.
After Asa’s death in 1874, his wife, Sallie Knott Brown, added a hotel to the residence. Needing to support her unmarried daughters, this was one of the only occupations deemed suitable for a single women at the time. She expanded the house, constructing a second floor by using the original hardy pine from the first floor. The new railroad helped the hotel gain popularity. In an 1883 Henry County Weekly article, it was noted that “The old reliable Brown House is voted by the traveling public to be the most hospitable and home like hotel between Macon and Atlanta.”
While owners came and went throughout the years, The Brown House remained a hotel until 1954, when sold to Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Goodhue. The once bustling hotel and cafeteria was transformed to the Hattie Lewis Goodhue law office, maintaining the residence for the family, as well. The Goodhue’s made numerous changes to the house, including removing the long two-tiered Victorian porch. By 1986, the Brown House was owned by Mr. and Mrs. William R. Smith, who deeded it to the Henry County Landmarks, Inc. It was listed on the National Registry of Historical Places in 1991.