Is This the Strangest House in America? (Lapham-Patterson House)

Explore the bizarre and intriguing Lapham-Patterson House in Georgia, a home designed with over 70 fire escapes and intentionally asymmetrical features. Discover the history behind its creation, linked to the devastating Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Join Ken as he takes you on a tour of one of the strangest homes ever encountered, unraveling the story of its eccentric owner and the unique architectural choices.

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Location: Thomasville, Georgia

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Public Domain Photos from: Library of Congress
CC BY 2.0 Photos from: Flickr User: Adam Jones
CC NY 2.5: Ebyabe
CC BY-SA 3.0Photos from: Wikipedia User: StMHMichael Rivera, Judson McCranie
CC BY-SA 4.0 Photos from: Wikipedia User: Jim Roberts
Assets from: Envato Elements
Music from Epidemic Sound

[vickiephilpitt]

The only oddness I thought about was building the house out of the same materials that basically caused "the night Chicago died." Also, committing his two children to an asylum kinda of makes me wonder about Lapham's own state of mind. It's ironic that his wife died in a fire after living in a house that had so many fire escapes, and probably none in the one she lived in.

[aunt_shoe]

I was shocked by the thumbnail because I recognized this house instantly. My great grandfather was a Patterson and although he didn't live in the house, he would visit it frequently. I've been in the house countless times myself, but only after the state converted it into a museum.

[SpanishEclectic]

Oh my goodness! What a sad family story. The wood interior rooms are beautiful, as are the balconies and gingerbread on the exterior. That central room with the staircase and the angled wall boards is quite stunning.

[SandyToes]

The asymmetrical design is so interesting. Thank you for this unusual find. The ladies parlor is my favorite. I can imagine having a book club in that space.

[aronc]

I need a season of American Horror Story filmed here. Lol

[badbiker]

Seriously? Dude was so affected by the Chicago fire that he commissions a house with 24 fire escapes but builds it out of wood? I would have been looking into poured concrete, tamped Earth, or steel construction.

[susanfudge]

This house is on Dawson Street. It's full of beautiful old homes, Victorian and Greek Revival. I grew up a few blocks away. In high school, we studied Thomasville history in the gifted history class. Thomasville has an interesting history. My grandfather managed Greenwood Plantation so my mom grew up there. She met Eisenhower, Fred Astaire, Jackie Kennedy.

I did think this house was a National Historic Site.

[janncoons]

It's a strange coincidence that she died in a fire in her new house. According to Poirot there are no coincidences

[kjlmark]

I love natural light so my favorite thing about this house are the large windows that extend to the floor. I'd never heard of this house before, thanks for a very interesting tour!👍

[janetmcgee]

I live in Thomasville . This house is gorgeous, as are all of our historical homes and businesses in Thomasville. We even have an oak tree that has been here since the Revolutionary War. Imagine what that thing has seen!

[vivaldi]

I love this house. Always been a fan of asymmetry. It was so sad that his wife ended up dying in a fire. That must have haunted him.

[jadedrealist]

Wait... so his ex-wife left the fire-safe house only to die in a fire? That's Alanis Morriset level ironic.

[sharksport]

When i was a small child I heard a realtor describe that exterior fussy trim as cheesecake. I was a teenager before I realized she meant gingerbread.

[randyboglisch]

Beautiful wonderful quirky creative Victorian house. Absolutely fabulous mansion

[jenpink]

Wow, such a sad story but such an interesting house!

[rosepelzel]

What an incredibly odd manifest story! Wow! Very, very sad!

[larsonfamilyhouse]

A kerosene lamp fire… sounds like something the guy obsessed with fire would say/do. He was mad she left and torched her new place. “See how she lives her new place with no fire escapes now, she never should have left me or my house!”

[joantrainor]

Fire is one reason for brick homes. We feel safer having one.

[lmboh]

Beautiful fanciful house, such a sad story of its creation though. I agree with those that believe the original owner suffered from PTSD due to his having lived through the Great Chicago Fire. Thank you for this very interesting family's house's story.

[tanyamessimer]

I love the quirkiness and I love the windows. Beautiful!!