Portraits of Spencer and Ruth Marsh hang in the downstairs hallway.
Legend has it that Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg planned his military strategy before the Battle of Chickamauga while reclining in the shade of a large oak on the grounds of the Marsh House. Although there is no proof of that, town citizens referred to that tree as “The Bragg Oak” from the 1870s until it a storm brought the tree down in 1921, according to Mary Smitherman, Marsh House docent.
It is documented that Bragg returned to the LaFayette, Ga., mansion during the battle. He used Chattooga Academy, which is located on the property, as his headquarters.
This antebellum home remained in the Marsh family for more than 150 years before being sold as a private residence to another family. Its history gives visitors insight into the history of Walker County’s formation.
The mansion is now an event venue owned by Walker County, Ga., and maintained by volunteers with the Marsh House Task Force. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Year built: 1836