The Hills & Dales story began nearly 200 years ago when 24-year-old Sarah Coleman Ferrell established a modest garden on a West Georgia hillside. She worked the land for 62 years, incorporating exotic plants, including ones referenced in the Bible, along with boxwood parterres planted in the forms of religious motifs.
After Sarah’s tenure, the property fell into neglect but was later revitalized by textile businessman Fuller E. Callaway and his wife, Ida Cason Callaway. Seeking to make the property a true home, the couple enlisted architect Neel Reid to design a 13,000-square-foot Italianate villa that would connect to the already 75-year-old gardens. Completed in 1916, the classic design features a stucco exterior, a red tile roof, and a grand semicircular portico with Ionic columns. Outbuildings, the pool pavillion, kennels, and the newer visitors’ center reflect the same iconic look.
The Callaways’ commitment to preserving the gardens’ integrity led to the addition of more garden rooms, as well as fountains and statuary. After Ida’s passing in 1936, the estate was inherited by her son, Fuller E. Callaway, Jr., and his wife, Alice Hand Callaway. (The other son would go on to establish Callaway Resort & Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia.) Following Alice’s death in 1998, the estate was bequeathed to the Fuller E. Callaway Foundation and opened to the public in 2004.
Today, Hills & Dales Estate welcomes visitors to tour the gardens and home. Floral arrangements by resident designer David Brown fill the rooms, showcasing blooms and greenery clipped from the grounds. The greenhouse brims with Ida’s favorite plants—orchids, maidenhair ferns, succulents, and calla lilies. Here and there, each family’s touch remains evident. “We are focused on protecting and preserving a place that has been nurtured and loved for generations,” says executive director Carleton B. Wood.
Hills & Dales Estate • 1916 Hills and Dales Dr., LaGrange, GA, hillsanddales.org
While in LaGrange, GA
Hills & Dales is definitely a highlight of this historic Southern town, but there are other fun experiences to discover:
- Check in to the Courtyard by Marriott to explore the quaint downtown square. Boutiques, restaurants, museums, and antiques shops line the sidewalks facing a grand fountain in Lafayette Square.
- Bike, walk, or jog a portion of The Thread. This 29-mile trail connects the area’s parks and attractions. Stop by the Visitor’s Center for advice on where to hop on and off. Or walk the sidewalks to take in the historic homes and architecture.
- Enjoy local flavors in easy-going, down-home settings. Gus’s Grill serves hearty breakfast dishes all day. For lunch, Taste of Lemon, housed in a restored church, serves up homemade meat-and-three dishes. At Fat Daddy’s, you’ll find locals enjoying signature sub sandwiches. For something sweet, try The Medicine Cabinet Soda Shoppe, an old-style soda counter that serves classic sundaes and milkshakes. For dinner, look to Tutto Pepe for fine Italian dining or the recently opened Nutwood Winery, an extension of the original 10-acre farm with tasting room. And for beer aficionados, there’s Beacon Brewing Co.
