The historic Camak House on Meigs Street has been sold to Chabad of Athens, a Jewish student and community center.
The $2.3 million sale price includes not only the 7,500-square-foot, three-story Federal-style house, but also 2.2 surrounding acres. Funding for purchasing the house came from donations.
Though nothing is yet definite, Rabbi Michoel Refson—co director of Chabad of Athens, along with his wife, Chana—said he is proposing constructing two outbuildings that will face Hancock Street. The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation has covenants on the property preventing changes to the house’s exterior and certain interior features, said president Mark McDonald, and the trust must approve the site plans. McDonald said he and Refson have “been in discussion” about the outbuildings, which would be “modest” in size, with rooflines that won’t obstruct the view of the rear of the house.
When it was built in 1834, the Camak House was the first residence on Prince Avenue, because Meigs Street didn’t yet exist. If the Refson family—which includes eight children—decides to live in the house, they will be the first family to do so since 1947, when the Camak family sold the house to a Masonic lodge after occupying it for 114 years. James Camak, the first resident, was a University of Georgia mathematics teacher who hosted meetings of those interested in forming the Georgia Railroad Company, which was chartered in the house. He became the company’s first president, and it built Athens’ first rail line, connecting the city to Augusta.
The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. McDonald said there will be a public meeting for neighborhood residents about the proposed plans for the site.
Like what you just read? Support Flagpole by making a donation today. Every dollar you give helps fund our ongoing mission to provide Athens with quality, independent journalism.
