The Grounds

The Grounds of Pebble Hill Plantation are truly a sight to behold.

In the Visitors’ Center, panels, exhibits, and a video recount the history of the plantation. Animals were particularly important to the family, and exhibits here focus on the cows, horses, and dogs. The tack rooms on either side contain driving tack for some of the Pebble Hill horses and mules.

In 1928, Abram Garfield, an architect from Cleveland, Ohio was employed to design this brick complex as a home for Mrs. Harvey’s Jersey herd. The architectural style is similar to that of the University of Virginia. The center serpentine wall was added in 1930. During the period from 1928 to 1936, dairy shows and auctions were held in the center courtyard. The various areas of the complex were originally designed and utilized as a cow barn, bull pen, maternity barn, calf barn, and milking area.

When Mrs. Poe took over the property following her mother’s death, she started remodeling the complex to accommodate horses. She did leave a section of the cow barn and a milking area for the few cows and bulls that she kept.

One particularly interesting room in this complex is the Tack Room. The almost life-size horse statue was started by Placidia White and then finished by Mrs. Poe’s resident carver, Gene Pullen. Mr. Pullen also did the hoof carvings that are the tack hooks around the room. Each one is marked with the horse’s name. The decorative ends of the saddle racks were also carved by Mr. Pullen. Mrs. Poe collected the small saddles that are on display here. Some of these are the patent models and some are salesmen’s samples.

The Carriage Room is a part of this complex. The carriages and wagons for the plantation are stored here. Several of the wagons have cages on the back where the dogs rode. The one that President Eisenhower rode in when he was a shooting guest at Pebble Hill is displayed here.

The brick Pump House, designed by Abram Garfield, was constructed in 1929. The building houses the original central heating boiler system. The two large wells that served the plantation are housed here.

The “Slow Down I Mean It” sign was put in place by Mrs. Poe as a warning for drivers to be aware of the animals that might be crossing the road. This sign is kept today to remind everyone of the importance of the animals to Mrs. Poe.

The Nurse’s Station, Fire House, and Carpenter’s Shop are housed in a brick building designed by Abram Garfield and built in 1929.

Mrs. Harvey was head of the Visiting Nurses’ Association of Thomas County. This organization was headquarted here. The nurse on staff took care of not only the Pebble Hill employees and their families, but also the employees on the neighboring plantations and in this rural area. The nurse also provided all the vaccinations for the children on the property.

The center section of the building is where the fire truck is housed. This vehicle was manually pulled and contained a large gas-operated fire extinguisher and other fire-fighting equipment. The Carpenter’s Shop is still used today by our maintenance and grounds staff. The second story of this building was originally living areas for plantation employees.

Next to this building is the Dog Hospital. There are indoor rooms and two outside runs where dogs could be quarantined if needed. A veterinarian from town would come out to treat the dogs.

The Waldorf was designed by Abram Garfield and built in 1929 as the laundry. This building also contains a kitchen and dining room. These areas were used for the staff who worked on the grounds.

The Kitchen Garden, brick wall, and garden shed were constructed in 1917. Vegetables were grown here for use in the kitchens on the property. Today, flowers and plants fill the beds.

The large, white, frame house that overlooks the garden was originally built as the Manager’s Cottage in 1916/17. Later this house became known as the “O. C.” or Overflow Cottage. When the Main House was full, and the family still had guests to be accommodated, they housed those guests in the “O. C.”

The Log Cabin School is the oldest building on the property today, having been built in 1901. Mrs. Harvey’s children, Pansy and Livingston, were tutored here during the winter months while the family stayed at Pebble Hill. One room of the building served as the schoolhouse and the other room as the playroom.

The gardens surrounding the Main House primarily feature plantings that bloom in the winter season when the family was in residence. The front (or south) side of the house is landscaped with brick walkways, camellias, azaleas, and a magnificent live oak trees. The hedge maze was a particular favorite with the children.

The back (or north) side of the home has the Arbor, sundial, and reflection pool area. There are numerous camellia bushes in this area as well. Near the staircase entrance to the house, there is a wonderful crepe myrtle tree.

On the east end of the Main House is the Swimming Pool. The pool was built in 1920 and the brick Pool Bath House was added in 1922.

In 1915, the brick walls were added to the Family Cemetery and the area that became the Tennis Court. The front section of the Cemetery is the older portion where the Johnson and Mitchell families and relatives are buried. The back section was added in 1932 for the Hanna family.

The Plantation Store was designed by Abram Garfield and built in 1911. Dairy products produced on site were stored and sold here. Today, you will find souvenir items for sale. Inside the store is “The Running Fox” where you can purchase a sandwich and soda.

The Main Garage building was designed by Abram Garfield and constructed in 1918. The Garage houses cars that belonged to the Hanna family. The collection includes a 1934 Packard Phaeton, a 1948 Lincoln Continental Convertible, a 1951 Cadillac Sedan, a 1960 Bentley S2, a 1968 Chrysler Wagon, a 1954 Ford Country Sedan Wagon, and Mrs. Poe’s last car, a 1964 Plymouth Valiant.

Noah’s Ark is located near the picnic area. This unusual structure was originally built to be the bath house at a lake property that Mrs. Poe owned. It was moved to Pebble Hill in advance of the plantation’s being opened to the public. Inside is a mural by Florida artist, J. Clinton Shepherd featuring Noah and the Ark animals.

The pond area is great for picnics. Sit at one of the tables and enjoy the scenery and peaceful beauty of Pebble Hill. You can also reserve the area for group picnics. Please contact the Museum Office for more information or to reserve the area (229-226-2344 or info@pebblehill.com).