Years ago there was a false flag raised about a chimney in Dunwoody. The chimney was allegedly part of a Spruill farmhouse along Ashford Dunwoody Road. Here's an article from 2011, with quotes from the legendary Kathy Z. Today, this chimney is at the Starbucks across from Perimeter Mall.
According to Hines, the developer of Ravinia, the chimney was built post World War II. But some long-time Dunwoody residents believe the chimney dates back to the late 1800s.
Tom Reilly, who moved to Dunwoody in 1953, said the chimney is the last of its kind in this area. He remembers seeing it when the area was mostly woods and farm land.
Kathy Zickert, an attorney representing Hines, said many people in the area incorrectly believe that the chimney belonged to the Spruill’s farmhouse. “The chimney has no historic significance whatsoever,” Zickert said. “Ironically, we tried to have it declared an historical site when we were developing, but were not successful. … It would have been a branding mechanism for Ravinia. We would have been tickled pink to do that.”
“Hines saved this chimney back in 1981 when we purchased this property from the Spruills. As it was at risk due to the DOT expansion plans in its original location, by our own volition and at considerable cost and effort, we relocated it in 1984 and created a special place for it in its current location,” Mehra said. “We always intended to preserve it to let the community to enjoy it.”
The true irony is that a developer, not a Spruill, that cared enough to save the chimney.
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