Tour Stop Four: 369 Oakland Avenue
Steven, Rebecca, Asa, Eli, & Frankie Harman
This Folk Victorian was likely built around 1889 by W.L. Jones, with an original address of 110 Gullat. According to the 1900 Census, W.L. Jones Jr., his family, in-laws, and two boarders lived in the house.
Historical researcher Cary Walker found that Jones, Jr. was a member of Atlanta’s first detective department and a well-known private detective. He was known as “Swamp Fox,” perhaps due to the then-swampy land behind the house.
Under the creative hands of the current owners, the house has undergone a major transition. This year, the Harmans renovated the kitchen and added the rear bedroom, laundry, screened porch on the main floor, and an office/gym.
The rest of the home was renovated within the last few years, including the mudroom/entry, which Steven and his parents did.
Original to the house are the front door and windows; heart pine floors in the parlor, main story bedrooms and playroom; and most of the fireplace mantels.
Tourgoers won’t want to miss the restored, vintage chandeliers in the foyer and playroom, as well as the restored gas space heater in the parlor and the fireplace summer cover in the dining room.
The historic features, natural light, 12-foot ceilings, a basement with a workshop, and off-street parking sold the house for the Harmans, but their favorite thing about the house is their neighbors. “We absolutely love living on this street,” says Rebecca.