View & Vote on Sites
Sites Worth Saving
The Historical Society greatly appreciates your support. However, we request that the public respect the owners' privacy by not revealing any personal information on this website, by visiting the sites, or by contacting the owners. These sites were nominated by the public and not by the owners themselves. As far as we know, none of these properties are currently for sale.
Roberts Building/Masonic Hall
The former Roberts Building/Masonic Hall in Ball Ground was built in 1923 by A.P. Roberts and is a detached two story brick building. Its original use was a post office downstairs and a Masonic hall upstairs. The building is a local landmark in Ball Ground and the threat to the site is neglect. There are several structural issues in the building and it is reputed to be infested with bats. Possible solutions include working with the owner to make necessary repairs and find a tenant. If the owner is interested in selling the property, help find a preservation-minded buyer.
Number of votes: 61
Henry K
01:48 PM
09/03/2009
One of the main buldings on the main street of Ball Ground, this attractive brick structure has historical value and warrants preservation.
Anonymous
02:50 PM
09/09/2009
Because it is a very significant land mark in Ball Ground and is central to the revitalization of the downtown.
It needs to be preserved and loved. It would make a great "boarding house" bed & breakfast with the downstairs also open to the public as a breakfast cafe.... I can see tables with umbrellas on the back deck and flower pots hanging from the rails and window sills.
cobb C
03:10 PM
09/09/2009
It appears to be in good shape for inexpensive maintenance over the years ahead.
Anonymous
07:23 PM
09/09/2009
The Masonic Lodge upstairs was definitely one of the places where the most loyal and stalwart citizens of Ball Ground met to "do good". It reminds me of "The Lodge" in Roswell, which became a very popular restaurant and retained the original Masonic Lodge interior.
Anonymous
05:00 PM
09/12/2009
At one time, this is where everyone met at the postoffice. It was the proud building of my Uncle Paul.
Julio P
01:09 PM
09/13/2009
Excellent building.... deserve attention to upgrade Ball Ground small dowtown.... SUPPORT FOR THIS BUILDING!!!!!
Samuel O
01:16 PM
09/13/2009
We need this building back to our growing old fashioned downtown
Shannon E
05:29 PM
09/14/2009
This brick building is beautiful and has character. It could easily be restored into something useful and charming in the town. I definately believe this is a site worth saving!
James Lee W
09:50 PM
09/17/2009
I remember many similar buildings as a child, especially other Masonic Lodges. We don't see many like this anymore and it is a shame.
Anonymous
07:01 AM
09/27/2009
Beautiful! The outside looks to be in great shape. Much history in this building and very worth saving to become a business, offices, classrooms, a home for someone...
ella c
12:05 PM
09/27/2009
i love this building and have always dreamed of having enough money to buy it and make it an old fashion general store
Anonymous
12:55 PM
10/10/2009
This building is one of many held hostage by an owner who does not wish to or cannot allocate funds for routine maintenance which if not done on a timely basis utlimately triggers an avalanche of needed, costly repairs. Though the building appears to be in fair condition from the posted photo, bats are not the only problem. There are serious structural problems in the basement which if not addressed now will seriously put at risk the building's very survival . It is no conicidence that 2 of the 10 endangered sites are in the Ball Ground City Limits (this building and the Stripling House plus the others that should be on this list but are not...e.g.the Wheeler House, etc.). These same owners also tend to have an inflated sense of value of their properties. All the delusions of appreciating monetary value and all the love in the world for a historic structure can't subsitute for the capital invested to properly maintain these structures.
Anonymous
07:46 AM
10/11/2009
I completely agree with the comment above. Those holding historic structures hostage by depriving them basic maintenance should sell it to someone who will be a good steward of the property. This building has been vacant for sometime and unless necessary repairs and improvements are made, the owner will never attract a quality tenant. Maybe the city should take more action as vacant buildings adversely affect the downtown.
Anonymous
02:10 PM
09/01/2009
Building is a local landmark whose preservation crucial to revitalization of Ball Ground's historic downtown as an activity center. Also figured prominantly in the history of the town. Original owner, A. P. Roberts, alsocreated Roberts Power Company that first brought electricity to the town.