Comments on: Gone with the Wind: The Inspiration for Twelve Oaks

By: The Great Gone With the Wind Readalong – Part 1 (Chapters 1-7) | The Heroine's Bookshelf

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 04:01:56 +0000

[...] Supposedly, this house was the inspiration for Twelve Oaks. [...]

By: Summer Reading: GWTW {Pt. 2} « Magnolia Blossom's Blog

Summer Reading: GWTW {Pt. 2} « Magnolia Blossom's Blog — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 02:13:48 +0000

[...] Oh, I also found this wonderful blog which has some neat posts about the real inspirations for the h… [...]

By: Jolie Ward

Jolie Ward — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 23:25:25 +0000

I know this is an old article but it is wonderful to let my son search the web on his ancestors home. It is true that Whitehall was the inspiration for Twelve Oaks in Gone With The Wind but also the inspiration for Margaret Mitchell as it has been stated by many generations of my family. Lovely article and lovely pictures of this beautiful Greek Revival.

By: Susanne

Susanne — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 23:02:32 +0000

Whitehall is a lovely antebellum estate that has been all but destroyed by either its prior owners or by the bank that repossessed it or both. The bank likely did not winterize the house after it was repossessed as there is quite a bit of water damage to both ceilings and hardwood floors and possibly a black mold problem as well. If the hardwood flooring is original to replace it will involve paying for all pieces of antique flooring (assuming any can be found) to be x-rayed which is not an inexpensive process. Apparently the water was shut off and that pipe was fixed but when the water gets turned back on there is a likelihood of the rest of the piping bursting under pressure if indeed the problem was caused by a frozen pipe. If so, I assume the whole house will need to be re-piped and with 6 bathrooms that will be pricey. The kitchen, though updated is also without all major appliances. The bank will not let anyone inside the house before buying it, which makes it look like there is a lot to hide. The previous owners had also been updating the house with can lighting as well as adding the wraparound decking and modernizing the yard – not that you can tell anymore the place has been neglected so long and the pool is now a frog pond. Possibly the house is in such bad shape that it is a total loss – black mold, dry rot, structural damage – who knows what is wrong? Further the bank is requiring monies be payed up front (you can’t make an offer without paying earnest money and you can’t order an inspection without that payment – which is highly unusual). Furthermore this money is not to be held by your Realtor but directly payed to the bank so that if an offer falls through you cannot easily get your money back. My Realtor said “Run Away!”.

By: Lisa Smith

Lisa Smith — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 03:19:37 +0000

I was just telling my daughter all about your site and she was shocked that I had not checked on the “Gone With The Wind” houses, as it is my favorite movie. I have several books all about anything pertaining to Margaret Mitchell and her amazing book. Well, it was so much fun to see this about the house in Covington! I drive by it all the time when I am heading south and want to go the back way! It is still for sale and, yes, I do “dream”! Also, I have heard for years that the fabulous staircase in the house Rhett built for Scarlett in Atlanta was inspired by the one in “The Hotel Jefferson” in Richmond, Virginia. I don’t know it it is true, but I purposely went to see that hotel and it certainly is very similar!

By: Rick Forth

Rick Forth — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 20:39:03 +0000

Does anyone know if there are any plans for Tara, showing the floor plans, & the dimensions & such stuff. I would like to make a model. This has been very interesting.

By: Virginia

Virginia — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:47:03 +0000

Just found this site – love it! Interesting fact about the house in Covington GA (about 40 miles SE of Atlanta). My godmother was born and raised in the house – her father owne the mill there. The house is truly beautiful and deserves to have someone who can love and cherish it. The location, a few blocks off the square, is a lovely setting. The kitchen and backyard have been restored in a more “modern” feel (not to my taste) , and there used to be “greek” statues in the yard…

By: hookedonhouses

hookedonhouses — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 14:10:03 +0000

Taye–
The listing just says it was “the inspiration for 12 Oaks.” I just thought it was interesting to compare the movie version to what a real-life version might have been like. -Julia

By: Taye

Taye — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 09:11:25 +0000

Is this REALLY Twelve Oaks from GWTW???
Or is this just a replica or the house they BASED is on?

By: Kelly

Kelly — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 01:46:51 +0000

I forgot to mention, here is the house that it is reported the woman who inspired Melanie in Gone with the Wind once lived here. .-= Kelly´s last blog ..1888 Victorian, Charleston, WV =-.