Smyrna, Coalition Still Divided On Aunt Fanny's Cabin: Report

SMYRNA, GA — With less than a week before proposal deadlines are due to avoid the demolition of the historic Aunt Fanny's Cabin in Smyrna, the city and a citizens coalition are split on whether the cabin is needed for a future memorial to honor its namesake, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

The 19th century cabin, which once served as a sharecroppers' house and a famous restaurant, hasn't been maintained since the city of Smyrna bought it in the 1990s. After years of little-to-no maintenance, the cabin is now in a crumbling state — so much so that the city closed it to the public in 2020 because it was deemed a safety hazard.

The cabin — which also garnered a reputation for using derogatory depictions of Black people to entertain restaurant guests — is named after Fanny Williams, a longtime servant of some of Smyrna's first settlers: the Campbell family, Patch previously reported. Williams was a beloved figure in metro Atlanta, and is credited as an early civil rights advocate.

In December, council members voted to open proposal bids for someone to move the cabin from downtown on their own dime, otherwise the city would demolish the structure.

Initially, the deadline for proposals was Feb. 1. But after a public outcry from Smyrna residents and the Coalition to Save Aunt Fanny's Cabin, council members voted to extend that deadline to March 16.

Coalition member Maryline Blackburn said the cabin is all that's left of the former restaurant, and is needed to accurately portray Williams' legacy, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

The city has always planned to build a memorial of some sort to honor Williams, but city officials have been at odds with some residents and the coalition over whether that memorial should include the cabin.

Jennifer Bennett, a spokesperson for the city, told the AJC that bids are often submitted on the deadline date. She did not say if any have been submitted thus far.

Related:

• Aunt Fanny's Cabin Proposal Deadline Extended: Smyrna Council
• Future Of Aunt Fanny's Cabin Up For Discussion, Again: Report
• Calls To Save Aunt Fanny's Cabin Come As Deadline Looms
• Aunt Fanny's Cabin To Be Demolished Unless Sold: City Council
• Fate Of Aunt Fanny's Cabin To Be Decided By City Council Monday
• Aunt Fanny's Cabin Could Be Repaired, Demolished Or Preserved