Exploring the history of abandoned places in Georgia can really give you a glimpse into what Georgia has seen over the years. Briarcliff Mansion, nicknamed Candler Mansion, is an 1800s-era Druid Hills home that sits in shambles, however, there are quite the stories within these hallowed halls. Now a part of the Emory University Campus, this crumbling, abandoned mansion in Georgia is so much more than what is physically left. Let's explore these Candler Mansion ruins.
Briarcliff Mansion, also known as Candler Mansion, was the home of Asa Griggs “Buddy” Candler Jr., the eccentric son of the co-founder of Coca-Cola Asa Griggs Candler.
Built back in 1922 on 42-acres of land, this mansion now is part of the Briarcliff Campus of Emory University.
This mansion was such a beloved gem for the state of Georgia that it was listed in 1988 on the National Register of Historic Places.
Some of the features of the mansion which were most notable include the 1,700 square feet music room, featuring a three-story vaulted Tudor interior, a second dining room that seated 75 people, a solarium, seven bedrooms, and a few ponds for good measure.
Plus, it should be noted that there were also zoo buildings that housed a menagerie of exotic animals that Candler collected, including elephants, a gorilla, a baboon, a black leopard, and a Bengal tiger among them.
The estate was sold back in the late 1940s for a planned veterans hospital, but it eventually became the Georgia Mental Health Institute.
While some say the old mansion is haunted, others can see the emptiness of the estate and appreciate the history of it all.
Here is where Briarcliff Mansion is in Georgia.
Get an aerial view to see Briarcliff Mansion from all angles:
Have you ever been to Briarcliff Mansion in Georgia before? Did you know the history behind this abandoned building? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section! Or if you have your own stories about this mansion, then make sure to share those with your fellow Georgians, too. If you want to see more places like this, take this road trip to more abandoned places in Georgia.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!