Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Lapham-Patterson House Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Lapham-Patterson House

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Ophelia B.

    April 7,2017. I was taking my cousin from NYC on a speed traveling spree of Thomasville, Georgia in two days. I brought her to places that catered to her taste for good wine and cheese, love of small town America, and books. I, also, brought her to places a little out her comfort zone like a taxidermy shop and a haunted National landmark, a haunted Victorian home with occult designs. The Lapham-Patterson home seems like a sunny yellow Victorian home in Thomasville, Georgia. If you look closer, you realize it is the weirdest and coolest roadside attraction in Thomasville, Georgia. It was a winter vacation home of Mr. Lapham. He designed it to reflect his soul, his fear of fire, and his love for the occult and superstition. Our tour guide was Josh. He was very accommodating, professional, and polite. My cousin enjoyed the tour. I was pleased that he could answer every question I gave him to the best of his ability. This place was the highlight of Thomasville for my cousin and I. To me, it was the most wondrous and curious place I have ever went to in the state of Georgia. It is,also, a unique way to look at Thomasville, Georgia that most locals there never see. To give more information about this home, I am including this excerpt written by Victoria W. : There's Something Disturbing About This One Victorian Home In Georgia At first, it might just look like a beautiful old house, but look closer, and you'll realize that something seems strange about the Lapham-Patterson House in Thomasville, Georgia.The home is a marvelous example of Victorian architecture, with fish scale shingles, a double-flue chimney, intricate floors and fretwork, and a magnificent porch and balcony. Not a single room or closet in the entire 19-room house is a perfect square. Not a single room or closet in the entire 19-room house is a perfect square. The reason for this is that the home's builder, a businessman named C.W. Lapham, survived the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, which wiped out a 3-mile square of the city and killed up to 300 people. Understandably, Lapham became a bit of a pyrophobe, or someone with an intense or abnormal fear of fire (beyond what is normal). Ironically, the floors were all beautiful flatwood-pine, making the house very susceptible to fire. A couple of other unique little details include the roof reminiscent of a fireman's hat and some exterior fretwork over the balcony that casts shadows in the third-floor billiard room during the springtime and fall. These sillhouettes take the shape of six-pointed stars and a cow's head. Some have speculated that this is meant to represent Mrs. O'Leary's Cow, the legendary cause of the Great Chicago Fire. In a sad twist of events, Lapham's business dwindled, and he separated from his wife. She moved to Arizona and later died in a fire caused by a kerosene lamp. One of the couple's children did pass away in the home at a young age, and the Lapham-Patterson Home is rumored to be haunted by her ghost. Haunted or not, this house is a fascinating glimpse into one man's life and mind.

    One of a kind!

    See all

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    the tour was extremely amazing and the house is so beautiful! I highly recommend touring!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Amazing tour by Mr. Mike Bozeman. Beautiful house with a beautiful story. Even a little bit haunted.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Madelyn A.
    1168
    2425
    11295

    8 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Lapham-Patterson House

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    Thomasville Visitors Center - An attention grabber from the word GO! A Thomas County government building.

    Thomasville Visitors Center

    4.3(3 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    Brochures, gifts, postcards and lots of personal info on Thomasville from a lovely lady (ex of PCB,…read moreyou know who you are). A good pitstop.

    THE GREAT CITY OF THOMASVILLE, GA…read more The purpose of our visit to this area of Georgia was expressly for the purpose of attending the Victorian Christmas Festival. We arrived early on Thursday evening in order to get the lay of the land. We started walking toward the downtown area and BAM!! Suddenly everywhere I look I see these beautifully appointed historic buildings that just take my breath away and it just kept coming! Eventually, I was so distracted by my surroundings that I could not even focus on the festival. Yet, I still had a great time! If you love and appreciate historic architecture, this is one town you MUST visit. We took several pictures of the buildings and explored the downtown area as the workers continued to set up for the festival. When it comes to festivals, there are two things I need to see, a large banner at a primary entrance and an information booth or table that has t-shirts and souvenirs. I was disappointed because there was no banner, they simply had display boards that had the festival logo and social media symbols in very small print. I prefer the banner because when I arrive I photograph it and Yelp it in real time and it is also the primary photo for my review. So, where's my banner! The information table offered a visitor's guide but no souvenirs. When we attended a previous Victorian festival, I had an opportunity to purchase a commemorative mug to add to my collection. If not a mug, I love a t-shirt that is connected to my specific experience. I did not see anything available and just feel that this was certainly a missed opportunity to have visitors take a part of this great city with them. The downtown proprietors were ready for the visitors and put their best foot forward. There are a variety of shops downtown and I found myself drawn in by the beautiful buildings, great décor and overall ambiance. I am always drawn in by those shops that are different and unique: Enter the taxidermy shop. It was easily my favorite downtown shop due to its uniqueness and tasteful presentation. The employees were great as well. *** Not so great, the owner or employee standing in the doorway of "Kevin's" on Thursday night. I am going to need him to brush up on his "visitor's etiquette". In a city of roses, he was the only thorn! Bah Humbug! Prior to our trip, I bookmarked Jonah's as the place to stop for lunch or dinner. I was glad to see that they had an outside "Festival Table" so that we did not need to go into the restaurant. We wanted to continue to enjoy the festival atmosphere and eating outside on one of the benches was an ideal way to do so. The shrimp and grits served in a bowl were great and left me wanting more. On my next visit, I will definitely take time to further explore their menu. I would love to see a healthy casual restaurant, (Mediterranean, elevated Mexican), in the downtown area because much of what we saw was just too heavy and not quite casual enough. When I am shopping, I need to get it to go quickly so that I can keep it moving. Yet, I don't want to have to settle for a sandwich or something mediocre because I love prepared vegetables. Also, I believe that every small town should have a fine chocolate shop or a French bakery just to keep the people happy! If you are visiting, you must see the Old Oak Tree which is incredible and definitely my favorite landmark in Thomasville. Overall impression: This is a great city and that greatness is directly related to its residents and local visitors. I love a kind, engaging and well-mannered people and this town delivered in spades! Everywhere we went, we encountered nothing but kindness and politeness and that was certainly appreciated. Thomasville can be very proud of the great impression left with these visitors. In addition, I really appreciate all of those businesses and individuals who work so hard to preserve the historic buildings and homes that are a unique part of this community. When we visit small towns, we don't just stay in the common areas, we like to drive around and explore all areas of the community. Going off the beaten track tells us a lot about a community and we just loved driving around Thomasville and the surrounding areas, (Cairo, Tallahassee). Thanks Thomasville for a nice little "get-away" to help us refresh and gear up for the holidays. Merry Christmas to you all and may you all have a wonderful and prosperous New Year! *** A special shout out to the little Mennonite boy from Greigs Mennonite church. He was 10 years old and I believe his name was Joshua. This kid was adorable and a great ambassador for the city and his church.

    Photos
    Thomasville Visitors Center - Another beautiful historic building in downtown Thomasville.

    Another beautiful historic building in downtown Thomasville.

    Thomasville Visitors Center - The crew setting up one of the stages  prior to opening night.

    The crew setting up one of the stages prior to opening night.

    Thomasville Visitors Center

    See all

    Jack Hadley Black History Museums

    Jack Hadley Black History Museums

    4.6(5 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    Didn't realize there was a Black History Museum in Thomasville! A planned trip to some museums in…read moreMontgomery was canceled and I was looking for something closer to home - and voila! I called to verify the hours of operation and Ms. Wills was so very pleasant. In calling back to inform them that a group would be coming, we were informed that there is a scavenger hunt available for the kids - which they loved! Before we started the self-guided tour, there was a video to explain how Mr. Hadley's passion came to life via the museum. Then we were told of the various sections, with some history given on a few of the exhibits. There are loads of paraphernalia packed in the space; so many sentimental items. Good news - the museum is moving to a larger space soon, which is great because everything will be more spread out to view. This tour would be wonderful for student/school related field trips (small groups). Kudos to Mr. Hadley and his staff for sharing this history and keeping us reminded. If we don't know the history, however "ugly" it may be, we will certainly repeat it - horrors and all. Of note, only $5 entrance fee for adults, $3 for kids (discount applied if there is a group).

    Thomasville's First Black History Museum is established to educate individuals about the history…read moreand culture of African Americans locally and nationally. One African-American historian, James "Jack" Hadley, has preserved over 4,669 pieces of African American artifacts with emphasis on Thomasville's First Black Achievers, state and national achievers that commemorate their lives and accomplishments.

    Photos
    Jack Hadley Black History Museums
    Jack Hadley Black History Museums
    Jack Hadley Black History Museums

    See all

    Lapham-Patterson House - landmarks - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...