Columbus in Muscogee County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
“The Folly”
Photographed By David Seibert, August 25, 2009
1. "The Folly" Marker
A dwelling has existed at 527 First Avenue since 1831 when Alfred Iverson wed Julia Forsyth, daughter of Georgia Governor John Forsyth. Elected to Congress in 1846, Iverson served in the Senate until Georgia seceded from the Union. Two sons served in the Confederate Army, one as a Brigadier General and one as a Lt. Colonel. During the War Between the States, local contractor Leander May surely knew of O.S. Fowler’s “A Home for All Seasons,” and not only built the front octagonal but also converted the Iverson home into a smaller octagonal. “The Folly” became a National Historic Landmark of architecture in 1973.
Erected 1985 by Historic Chattahoochee Commission and the Historic Columbus Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1831.
Location. 32° 27.378′ N, 84° 59.515′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Georgia, in Muscogee County. Marker is on 1st Avenue, 0 miles north of West 5th Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 527 1st Avenue, Columbus GA 31901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. John McIlhenny Home (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dedicated to the Veterans of 1898 to 1902
this page online
via NPS, unknown
2. The Octagon House, or May's Folly
National Register of Historic Places Digital Archive on NPGallery website entry
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed By David Seibert, August 25, 2009
3. "The Folly" and "The Folly" Marker
Photographed By David Seibert, August 25, 2009
4. "The Folly" Marker
Looking north at homes on the west side of 1st Avenue
Photographed By David Seibert, August 25, 2009
5. "The Folly"
"The Folly" has long been owned by a major figure in Historic Columbus preservation, and is painted in authentic colors.
Photographed By David Seibert, August 25, 2009
6. "The Folly"
Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 12, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,429 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 12, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2. submitted on May 14, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 12, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
