Embrace Writing Tomorrow’s Parker Story

By John Shivers

As you approach the main dwelling at 95 Parker Lane in Clayton, the wooden shake-clad exterior of the sprawling ranch house literally appears to reach out its arms in a warm and welcoming embrace. It’s an embrace that’s been offered to many down through the years, as Parker Ranch has greeted its visitors. What’s more, once on the property, you’ll never believe you’re mere minutes away from shopping, art galleries, and numerous eateries, some of them farm-to-table operations, in Clayton.

While some 116 years have passed since this original private home first sheltered its charter owners, much of the architectural integrity of that era has been preserved. At the same time, twenty-first century enhancements have been discretely incorporated without sacrificing the authentic mountain lodge ambience.

You don’t find them this authentically preserved and refurbished very often.

The year was 1907, and in keeping with the trend of many of Atlanta’s prominent citizens, the Parker family escaped the city heat and congestion by heading to Rabun County. Just outside Clayton, but still within the city limits today, they built a Summer home they called Parker Ranch. In the years since, chapter after chapter of the home’s story has been recorded, always with the theme of warmth and welcome.

Since those early days, the home has undergone several transformations, has been both a private residence and a public inn, and has gone by several different names. Today, not only has the original name been restored, but the renovation of the original complex, along with the construction of additional physical amenities, has brought this property to the peak of its existence. It’s poised and ready for the next chapter in its storied history. Could you be the one to write that account?

Located on 6.73± acres just west of Downtown Clayton, this property that’s rife with local history is a destination for overnight stays, weddings and reunions and celebrations, corporate retreats and special events. And at the end of the day, it still has all the potential of a private family home – especially if your family is large and you love to entertain.

You’ll have trouble deciding whether it’s the expansive covered porches that run the front of the house or the interior accommodations that offer the most relaxation potential. The main structure imbues a sense of peaceful, old-world elegance with coffered wood ceilings in the main living/guest area, hardwood floors and original bead board throughout. The more you look, the more detail and architectural beauty you see. Anchoring the great room, that truly is a great size room, is an expansive stone fireplace that’s original to the house.

The main house with 2,856± square feet offers eight sleeping rooms, baths, and is handicapped accessible. A separate dining area offers varied options for feeding individual guests at separate tables, or larger groups banquet style – think Thanksgiving! A small commercial kitchen that lends itself to quantity cooking, as well as food preparation for the average family, is immediately adjacent.

Two detached guest cottages offer yet more potential, and a 1,560± sq. ft. multi-purpose event space was constructed in 2018. What’s more, the property is currently zoned R3 and additional expansion possibilities exist on the two to three undeveloped acres. Parker

Ranch is just waiting for someone with creative vision to pick up the pen and write the next incarnation of this iconic property.

Harry Norman, REALTORS® Luxury Lake and Mountain agent Sarah Gillespie is waiting to show this fantastic listing, GMLS #20124913, and can answer your questions on how this fantastic multi-use home can be yours. Contact her at (cell) 404-735-6157 or (office) 706-212-0228.