After spending a magical Christmas in a twelfth century English castle, I'm anxious for another castle experience. When I hear about Bonnie Castle, a 19th century bed and breakfast cloistered in a tiny Georgia hamlet, I plan to visit my discovery soon.
J. W. Colley built Bonnie Castle in 1896. Colley's talented wife Itura, affectionately known as "Miss Love," designed the edifice. Constructed of local bricks, granite from Stone Mountain, and heart pine, the twenty room mansion represents Victoriana at its finest. In addition to starting Grantville's textile mills, Mr. Colley became a prosperous land owner and banker in the area. The Colleys stood tall in Coweta County's social and political life during the early 1900's; their house guests included Franklin Roosevelt, Madame Chiang Kai-shek, Jimmy Carter. The historic home remained in the Colley family until 1981. Patti and Darwin Palmer, current owners and resident innkeepers, purchased Bonnie Castle in 1993 and converted it into a bed and breakfast.
Bonnie Castle's features encompass an exquisite gilded ceiling in the drawing room and an original fresco adorning the octagonal ceiling of the adjoining dining room. A secret room, a burglar's step (forerunner to alarm systems), and a step for hiding valuables contribute to Bonnie Castle's mystique. Half a wooden heart, carved into delicate fretwork, fronts the grand staircase. A miniature heart rests at the apex, and each honors "Miss Love." The Prophet's Room, one of the bedchambers, provided a place for traveling preachers to sojourn at the turn-of-the-century.
At the top of the stairs, across from three brilliant stained glass windows, a built-in prayer bench continues offering a special spot where one may pause and whisper a prayer. The Tower Museum displays artifacts and memorabilia belonging to Bonnie Castle's original owners, including Loveleigh dolls made by "Miss Love." Items collected by the current owners--vintage clothing, nineteenth century quilts, Georgia furniture and pottery, an extensive art collection--makes browsing an entertaining pastime. Old toys, scattered hither and yon, cast a whimsical touch.
Bonnie Castle offers four bedchambers, two with private baths. Two guestrooms contain a separate sitting area. Although I find selecting a favorite room difficult, the commodious Henrietta Room, named after Itura and J.W. Colley's granddaughter, unfolds as my favorite. The Henrietta Room revolves around a king-size bed bedecked with vintage pillowcases and starched, antiquated pillow covers. As in each guest room, a plumped feather mattress and a thick down comforter rest mounded upon the bed. Sandwiched between my feather mattress and down comforter, I sleep like Rip Van Winkle. Trains whistling and rumbling down nearby tracks do not disturb me.
The Stewart Suite provides ideal accommodations for families. A sitting room, doubling as a children's room, offers two trundle beds. The three-part bathroom includes a dressing room, a lavatory and commode room, and a private clawfoot tub room where the tub perches atop a raised platform. The creative triad is always a favorite with guests. For parents preferring more privacy than available in the Stewart Suite, the Civil War Suite (located in the turret) furnishes a delightful suite for children. Two Civil War hospital beds from Ft. McAllister provide unique bedding.
Set up on a sideboard outside the guestrooms, freshly brewed European coffee officiates as an aromatic wake-up call each morning. A full breakfast, served in the formal dining room, varies daily. My first morning repast begins with a bowl of sliced kiwi, bananas, and strawberries accompanied by a glass of orange juice. The entree includes freshly baked quiche, and two homemade breads. Fat-free ingredients are used when possible. Throughout the day, guests may help themselves to an assortment of drinks provided in a mini-refrigerator handy to the guests' rooms.
A decorative wrought iron fence encircles Bonnie Castle, and an original hitching post remains in place out front. The grounds contains an herb garden, ornamental gardens, and a small Victorian goldfish pond.
Bonnie Castle is located a convenient one hour's drive from Atlanta and holds the distinction of being listed on The National Register and the Heritage Highway. If you've always yearned for an opportunity to visit a castle, plan now for the destination of your next getaway to be Georgia's nineteenth century castle in Grant- ville. Rumor claims that Bonnie Castle smiles when her rooms are filled with guests. When prearranged, guests may stay over until 7 p.m. on Sunday nights at no additional charge.
NOTE: Reviewed in the Spring 1997 issue of The INNside Scoop by Maxine Pinson. Copyrighted 1997.
INN: Bonnie Castle; LOCATION: 2 Post Street, Grantville, GA 30220 (near Atlanta, GA); Tel.: 1-800-3090, E-mail: bocastle@mindspring.com; ACCOMMODATIONS: 4 bedrooms, 2 suites, 2 private baths; RATES: $70 -- $110; SMOKING: restricted; BREAKFAST: Full; RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS: Stage Stop Restaurant (770-583-2450), Gator's Pizza & More (770-583-3228); WEB SITE: www.communitynow.com/bonniecastle
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