The History of Bona Allen Mansion

The Bona Allen Mansion is a historic home located in Buford, Georgia, United States. It houses 5 buildings on 6 acres, including a 9,000 square foot main house, 1200 square foot gym, 2 video studios, guest house (tennis cottage) and tennis court. It was built in 1911 by Bonaparte Allen, a prominent businessman and industrialist who played a significant role in the development of the town.

Bona Allen was born in 1852 in Tennessee and moved to Georgia at a young age. He began his career as a blacksmith and later became involved in the leather industry, eventually establishing the Bona Allen Company, which became one of the largest manufacturers of leather goods in the world. Allen was also a philanthropist and was known for his contributions to the community, including the construction of the Bona Allen Mansion.

The mansion was designed in the Italianate style and is a two-and-a-half-story brick building with a raised basement. It features a hipped roof, a central tower, and a grand entrance with Corinthian columns. The interior of the mansion is decorated with intricate woodwork and plaster moldings, and includes a grand hall, a parlor, a dining room, and several bedrooms.

The Bona Allen Mansion was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 and has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. It is now owned by Atlanta-based entrepreneur Steve Siebold. In addition to its historical and architectural significance, the Bona Allen Mansion is also known for its association with several notable figures in Georgia history. It was visited by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1914 and was the site of a speech by President William Howard Taft in 1912. It has also been visited by numerous other dignitaries and celebrities over the years, including Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, James Arness, and many of the famous Hollywood cowboy actors the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s. In 1915, opera star Enrico Caruso performed a private concert for the Allen family on the front deck of the mansion.?

Today, the Bona Allen Mansion continues to be an important part of the cultural heritage of the state of Georgia and serves as a reminder of the rich history and the significant role that Bona Allen played in its development.?