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BULLOCH HALL (1839)

GLIMPSE A PRESIDENTIAL PAST: THE BULLOCHS – ROSWELL’S SOCIAL ARISTOCRATS

"Here in Antebellum Roswell, a real Southern belle grew up, married in her family's white-columned home and became the mother of a U.S. president. Here, Union troops occupied the mansions as their headquarters and set up hospitals in the Presbyterian Church and The Bricks. Here, the mills were burned for manufacturing the fabric for Confederate uniforms and 400 women and children mill workers were charged with treason and shipped north to uncertain fates."

Bulloch Hall was built in 1839 by Major James Stephens Bulloch, one of Roswell's first settlers and the grandson of Georgia’s Revolutionary Governor, Archibald Bulloch. This impressive Greek Revival structure has been described as one of the most significant houses in Georgia, and one of the South's few examples of true temple-form architecture with full pedimented portico.

Bulloch Hall has been the setting for many social occasions, chief among them is the wedding of Major Bulloch's daughter, Mittie, on December 22, 1853, to Theodore Roosevelt of New York. Little did those in attendance realize they were witnessing a union that would produce a United States president (Teddy Roosevelt). In 1905, President Roosevelt came to see his mother's childhood home and spoke to a crowd from the bandstand in Town Square. Mittie's other son, Elliott, was the father of Eleanor Roosevelt who married Franklin D. Roosevelt and served as our nation's First Lady. Eleanor would sometimes drive to Roswell from Warm Springs to visit. Even Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone With The Wind, was fascinated by Bulloch Hall. In 1923 she interviewed the last living bridesmaid of the Bulloch/Roosevelt wedding and wrote an article for The Atlanta Constitution.

Major Bulloch took great care with the grounds. Along with an arbor, 37 shade and fruit trees were planted. Because of their ability to discourage flies and rodents, Osage Orange trees were placed near the house. Today, the grounds of Bulloch Hall boast 142 trees on the Historic Tree Register, reconstructed Slave Quarters, a demonstration garden and nature trail.