This landmark stands as not only the grandest in Manassas but one of the largest and best preserved Folk Victorians I’ve ever seen. Its size is truly awe-inspiring. And the house is not vacant. Please do not trespass, as if I should even need to say so. According to Lisa Hearne, it was built by the namesake of Manassas himself, Manassas Foy and was purchased in the late 1800s by her great-great grandmother, Eliza Ann Collins Hodges and her husband. Mrs. Hodges was a descendant of the Collins family for whom the nearby town of Collins was named. There are even more notable structures in Manassas but I didn’t have the time to shoot them yesterday. I will certainly be back and encourage photographers in the area to explore Manassas and vicinity when they have the opportunity.
Vanishing Georgia: Photographs by Brian Brown 
“Florrie” probably knew Mr. and Mrs. Godbee, then, the lady I spoke of in my last post (double-post, lol), who lives across the street…they have been there for many, many years; Mr. Godbee has long passed away, but Mrs. Godbee is still with us.
This house is not vacant. This house was built by W. Manassas Foy. My great-great grandmother Eliza Ann Collins Hodges (from the Collins family from Cobbtown) and her husband purchased the home from Mr. Foy (in late 1800s). My great-great grandparents had 12 children. One of their daughters, Florence “Florrie” lived in that house for many years after her parents were deceased. I grew up playing in that house when we visited. My mother is now 1/3 owner with her cousin and aunt. The house needs a lot of work, but it’s still beautiful. A new roof was put on and the porch was repaired. Obviously nothing has been completely restored, but we are slowly working on it. It will be some day. There is a security system, 🙂 . My daughter, Eliza, is named after her great-great-great grandmother who lived and died in that house. As a matter of fact, I have an old iron bed in my home that was once used in the Manassas house. Thanks for calling her “beautiful”…we think so too. Lisa Hearne
Part of the reason this house is still in pretty good shape is because Manassas Foy’s father was in the timber business (and Manassas was in the turpentine business). The wood used in this house is extraordinary. Huge timbers in the attic. Never seen anything like that in home construction. Run the full length of the house.
What a beautiful house! My grandparents were Hodges. It is not a name that you hear very often; I wonder if there is any relation?
There is a couple named Hodges in Reynolds, Ga. If you want to write to him just address it to Gene Hodges, Reynolds Ga 31076 and he will get it. Reynolds is a small town and he lives on the street with the post office in an old house he has restored.
It is beautiful, & I hope it gets completely restored & passed down. They just do not make homes like this anymore.
My brother-in-law’s mother live across the street from this house. I’ve been exploring around this old jewel before; it’s vacant, but it looks as if the family just suddenly pulled stakes and left. The story is, the elderly lady who lived there passed away years ago, and the house is too large for the family to upkeep. The carport on the other side of the house even had an old late-60′s/early 70′s Chevrolet sedan parked there, covered in dust. I wished someone could buy, restore and save this old girl.
My brother-in-law’s mother live across the street from this house. I’ve been exploring around this old jewel before; it’s vacant, but it looks as if the family just suddenly pulled stakes and left. The story is, the elderly lady who lived there passed away years ago, and the house is too large for the family to upkeep. The carport on the other side of the house even had an old late-60’s/early 70’s Chevrolet sedan parked there, covered in dust. I wished someone could buy, restore and save this old girl.
Beautiful old home. I can imagine what it must have looked like back in the day.
Is this home for sale?
It is mine, in a dream.