Macon Grotto Project
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- Опубликовано: 8 дек 2013
- This short documentary is about the little-known grotto in Macon, Georgia. The film brings together interviews with relevant parties to explore the site's current status and it's possible future as a public park.
Love this film. It is important to learn about preservation and how we can enhance the natural and historic beauty if our environments.
I lived in Winship North, 1st in 1980...later mid 90's. It was in very good shape in 80... but 15 years later or so it was going downhill, but nowhere like it appears now. There was a wooden sign with a trail map that was at the entrance of the trail back into the woods. The trail was wide and I heard a story North Winship had a Willys Jeep that he would drive on the trail. There was even a wide drivable path that led to the pool. Winshio North was a premium apartment complex when it opened in the late 70's and as it it went downhill so did the woods behind it. There was even a guard shack like structure in the woods just off from where the entrance to the apartments is. It had the spanish tile roof just like the picture of the house did ,which hung in the apartment office. The apartment office was built on the foundation of the house which has a brick terrace on the back. In 1980 the foundation just had a deck built on it. Macon has a magical feel to that has faded away with the slide into what it is now. The old money has left the area.
I first learned about the Grotto in the late 80's and last visited probably in 1990 or so when I was 20. There used to be a vine we would swing from out over the open ravine on the side opposite of the Grotto. My friends and I always found it to be a magical and peaceful, beautiful place to visit. I'm glad to see that at least it is still standing but it's sad to see that other than a tour via the local Museum Of Arts & Science the only other way to visit it now is to pay $125 a nite to stay in an Airbnb as the land is now privately owned. But what else would you expect from a former Macon mayor and his family. Always about the $$$$.
Nice short film. I grew up riding my horse to The Grotto and hanging out there as a teenager.
I played there throughout my pre-teen childhood and lived on the Prado until 15 when we moved to Chicago. My friends and I visited there when Winship was still alive (Appointed Governor of Puerto Rico in a very harsh rule), but he paid no attention to who was roaming the property. We had no idea that the Jesuits held it before Winship. Shocked no one has paid attention to it in 60 years as I am in my 70s.
Truly a treasure especially with the new botanical discoveries of virgin hardwood. As kids we did not notice that. But were always magically enchanted. Thanks to the youth who have brought attention to this dream land that stimulated my imagination since I was young. Thought about it many times since. Down the road was a Jamie Wyeth scene of a broken down farm house where a man with mental illness would run up and down the fence and yell at us on our bikes.
Must do it, Macon. Want to be proud that one recognizes it is not only the Hay House which needs preserving. Natural Resources and early history does as well. No one will abuse it, and property values are always enhanced with natural beauty around their properties protected and preserved for posterity.
Ellen
+Ellen Mass Hey Ellen, Smokey(Gus) Kaufman here...your brother Larry and I played there. There were no graffiti then. And the statue still stood. And yes North Winship lived in his mansion off Forest Hill, called Breezy Hill. There was a granite plaque near the driveway detailing the history of the property back to a land grant from the British king, I believe.
I don't know that the forest is virgin but it is certainly old growth with huge American beech and tulip poplar trees and a big patch of mayapple (a native plant) that come up every spring. Oh, & pileated woodpeckers year round and great horned owls in the winter. When we were growing up Winship woods was the biggest woods in the city of Macon.
Thank y'all for your great work documenting this treasure. :-)
So much of this sort of awesome stuff I only heard about AFTER I left Macon... Sadly that sounds typical.
My husband just visited it last week. He took lots of pictures.
Great vid! Haven't lived in Macon for years but I used to go down to that Grotto sometimes and check it out. It was a little hidden gem tucked away in the city. Cool to see there's some traction on preserving it.
I know it well. Thanks for the doc. Good memories.
As a Mercer student, this was one of my favorite places to visit each year. I usually go during the winter to avoid all the under growth which makes it easier to get to. The creek area beyond it is a peaceful place to relax.
LOVE the video and so glad to hear that there might be some sort of protection of this sight! I've never been to the grotto, however, so this is really fascinating! I have been up the very small "driveway" across from St. Francis Church.. many years ago. Back then, there was an area with small columns in a circle and concrete benches. I have heard that these are no longer there. Such a shame. Would love to check out the actual grotto!
I would love to see this protected. Macon has a history that is worth preserving
We would cut school & spend the day at the grotto in the 90's.
What I’ve heard that you can contact Museum art and sciences for a tour
Who knows and can share how to contact the owners to get permission to make photographs?
my playground, God that broke our hearts when they destroyed it!
It's not destroyed completely! Getting that graffiti off just requires a small team and some elbow grease.
magnificent William. i shared this video to the fb group, "if you grew up in Macon, do you
remember...?" and received many comments and then amazement and sadness by those unaware of this place. thank you for your response.
I believe there is a geocache on that lot.
so whats going on with it now i would love to go see it been looking for alot of old things to look for in macon
I will be up in Macon for a Women's convention at the end of April, is there a way to contact anyone to visit the Grotto?
I cam remember when the statues were still theer and you could go down the hill to the pool then the world found out about it and it went to hell.
wish people would have never knew about it.
I'M all on board if you come up with a way to save it let me know I know my wife and 2 outhers that will spend the time and what ever we need to do to make it come to life. .
Like I seed before I used to go there as a very young child I know a good bit of the history and a lot that is told is only Myth I know a lot of what I know to be the truth a older guy many years ago told me of going there when it was a place of beauty and was used daily.
Ram and Alicia.
Most downtown maconites known of the grotto.
Hey you made this comment before we were house mates!!!
Did anything ever become of this? Was anything ever done with the Grotto?
i want to find it love to look around but i dont know my way around here gaa