Old Brawner psychiatric hospital renovated

Metro Atlanta

Old Brawner psychiatric hospital renovated

Photos: The old Taylor-Brawner House in Smyrna was a psychiatric facility from 1908 to 1999. A local group saved it from being torn down, and it is now being renovated for use as an events center.

Work was under way in August on the Taylor-Brawner House, which is being renovated to become a city of Smyrna events center. The late-Victorian house became a mental health facility in 1908 and provided treatment until 1999. Yulian Telleria hangs wallpaper in the reception hall.

When James Brawner opened his hospital in 1908, there were few facilities that treated drug and alcohol problems. Celebrities and well-known Atlantans were treated there during the 90 years it operated. A view of two bedrooms of the Taylor-Brawner House.

Mike Terry talks about a cherry wood fireplace mantle in a bedroom of the Taylor-Brawner House. The mantle is an antique piece brought in for the renovation. The house was built about 1890 as a summer retreat for Samuel and Mary Taylor. Eighteen years later, the couple sold the house and 80 acres to Dr. James Brawner, who built a sanitarium on the property. His brother, Dr. Albert Brawner, later joined him on staff.

A sparkling rear door was installed, brought from a home in the Grant Park area of Atlanta. Four years ago, the house was in danger of being torn down to make way for a new Smyrna park. But a citizens group rallied to save the house and raised the money needed to renovate.

The Taylor-Brawner house has a wraparound front porch. Although the ceiling shown is obviously green, it has been referred to as "haint blue, " a term dating back to the 1840's that for years has been thought to ward off evil spirits. This was the original base color of this porch ceiling.

We see a portion of the original heart pine floors and above them is some of the original wainscotting in the reception hall area. The renovation is part of a larger project to turn 10 acres of the former hospital campus into a park.

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Work was under way in August on the Taylor-Brawner House, which is being renovated to become a city of Smyrna events center. The late-Victorian house became a mental health facility in 1908 and provided treatment until 1999. Yulian Telleria hangs wallpaper in the reception hall.

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