Lake Acworth Beach and Bathhouse
Why it's listed
Lake Acworth Beach and Bathhouse is a public recreation complex on the north shore of Lake Acworth, about 25 miles northwest of Atlanta. The one-story brick bathhouse, designed by Bothwell & Nash of Marietta, was completed in 1953 and dedicated by Governor Herman Talmadge before a crowd of 600. Its low hip roof, cupola and wraparound porch colonnade combine mid-century modern form with Colonial Revival details. The crescent beach was built from 20 rail-car loads of sand to soften the red-clay shoreline. The complex was promoted as a summer escape from Atlanta and became a favored gathering place for local groups. It was built for whites only during legal segregation, and African Americans in the area had to travel to George Washington Carver State Park on Allatoona Lake. The district includes the bathhouse and beach as contributing resources, while a 1962 social hall, three pavilions and a dock were added later and do not contribute. Its period of significance runs from 1953 to 1955.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is one of the few public beach and bathhouse complexes built in Georgia after World War II and a good example of early modern design blended with Colonial Revival elements. It is also significant for recreation, because it served local residents and visitors from Atlanta, and for social history, because it was a whites-only facility during segregation.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 09001202, listed January 7, 2010. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Lakeshore Dr., Acworth |
|---|---|
| County | Cobb County |
| Listed | January 7, 2010 |
| Reference number | 09001202 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1953-1955 |
| Architect / builder | Bothwell & Nash (architecture firm); Clotfelter, Sidney (general contractor) |
| Architectural style | Modern Movement, with Colonial Revival elements |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Entertainment/Recreation, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Current function is listed as outdoor recreation; the bathhouse survives with few alterations. |
| Acreage | 5 |
| Coordinates | 34.06158, -84.68318 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 09001202.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q141741971
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.