LOST LANDMARK. Mount Nebo, located outside of Milledgeville, was built for former Governor David B. Mitchell around 1820. After his death in 1837 at the home, it was later purchased by Robert McComb and stayed in the family for several generations.
This design is attributed to architect-builder Daniel Pratt, who designed several homes in Milledgeville. According to a 1920s article, Governor Mitchell insisted on the finest finishings for his home. The home had gold-tipped lightning rods, and gutters on the house were stamped in 1821.
There were few changes made at Mount Nebo over the years. The house was documented in the 1930s as part of the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS), giving us a rare glimpse in this lost landmark. The hallway ceilings were 15 ft. high, and the staircase a grand focal point.
Mount Nebo was purchased by then Major Thomas and Jean (Oliphant) Rentz when he was a faculty member at Georgia Military College. They spent several years preserving original elements of the house, and had plans to open a private school in the house.
In March 1944, Mount Nebo caught fire. In its remote location, it was a total loss. Some say it burned in 1940, but in our newspaper research, we verified a March 1944 date.
If you enjoyed learning about this lost landmark of Georgia and want to see more posts like this in the future, let us know in the comments!
Color Slide: Hubert Owens Collection, Owens Library, University of Georgia
Postcard: Georgia Archives, Historic Postcard Collection
1930s photos: Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS)
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