Rufus M Rose House

[HGB3]

Haven't been on the board in a while, but wanted to let bourbon drinkers know that the Rufus M Rose house in Atlanta is for sale. He founded the Four Roses Distillery. Georgia passed prohibition in 1901 and he moved or sold the distillery out of state at that time. Pictures and a little history on Wikipedia under Rufus M Rose House.

[cowdery]

Four Roses traces its history to the Paul Jones Company but has never officially acknowledged the connection to Rufus Rose. I mention this just as an FYI. I suspect Jones (also originally from Atlanta) obtained the rights from Rose early on, probably before Jones relocated to Kentucky in 1886.

It would be brilliant if Four Roses bought it, restored it, and used it to promote Four Roses bourbon.

Do you have a link to info about the sale?

[craigthom]

(I'm really responding to the blog post here.)

I've driven by the house a few times, and I don't see the location as being friendly to a tourist attraction.

It's across the street from Crawford Long Hospital. There's a little building next door with the fried chicken place and a barber shop. There are some private parking lots where I'm sure other buildings used to stand.

It isn't close enough to walk to from any other tourist places. I guess one could walk there from some of the downtown hotels, but I honest think most tourists (and suburbanites, for that matter) are reluctant to walk into areas that haven't been polished and sanitized (like Fourth Street Live in Louisville). There's nothing else nearby to visit. It's not too far south of the Fox, but, again, I don't see people walking those few blocks without a big crowd or an escort.

(I don't think there's anything dangerous about those areas, but I've heard enough people talk about how "dangerous" downtown Atlanta (and, again, Louisville) is. If you put together a few scruffy businesses, a couple of closed buildings with boarded windows, and pedestrians that don't look like your neighbors, if you know what I mean, tourists aren't going to go.)

I'd love to see the house saved. I don't see this as the way.

[BigRich]

(I'm really responding to the blog post here.)

I've driven by the house a few times, and I don't see the location as being friendly to a tourist attraction.

It's across the street from Crawford Long Hospital. There's a little building next door with the fried chicken place and a barber shop. There are some private parking lots where I'm sure other buildings used to stand.

It isn't close enough to walk to from any other tourist places. I guess one could walk there from some of the downtown hotels, but I honest think most tourists (and suburbanites, for that matter) are reluctant to walk into areas that haven't been polished and sanitized (like Fourth Street Live in Louisville). There's nothing else nearby to visit. It's not too far south of the Fox, but, again, I don't see people walking those few blocks without a big crowd or an escort.

(I don't think there's anything dangerous about those areas, but I've heard enough people talk about how "dangerous" downtown Atlanta (and, again, Louisville) is. If you put together a few scruffy businesses, a couple of closed buildings with boarded windows, and pedestrians that don't look like your neighbors, if you know what I mean, tourists aren't going to go.)

I'd love to see the house saved. I don't see this as the way.

Holy crap! I had no idea that crack house was the Rufus M Rose House. I work five minutes from there and usually drive by several times a week on my way to lunch. I'll be damned.

[jcg9779]

Holy crap! I had no idea that crack house was the Rufus M Rose House. I work five minutes from there and usually drive by several times a week on my way to lunch. I'll be damned.

Haha I thought the same thing! I don't drive by it all that often, but I still know the house well and had no idea what it was.

[BigRich]

Haha I thought the same thing! I don't drive by it all that often, but I still know the house well and had no idea what it was.

Maybe Joe and Jimmy should drop a note on it and we can use it for regular GBS meetings.

[jcg9779]

Maybe Joe and Jimmy should drop a note on it and we can use it for regular GBS meetings.

That's a great idea...the official GBS headquarters.

[cowdery]

I don't know my way around Atlanta, so thanks for the local perspective. I read elsewhere that the neighborhood is 'problematic.'

[BigRich]

I don't know my way around Atlanta, so thanks for the local perspective. I read elsewhere that the neighborhood is 'problematic.'

Chuck, it's actual a lot better than it used to be. I really don't see a problem visiting the area during the day. However, I still wouldn't being doing any night visits.

[craigthom]

I don't know my way around Atlanta, so thanks for the local perspective. I read elsewhere that the neighborhood is 'problematic.'

I don't think it's really problematic. I think that's a euphemism a lot of people from lily-white suburbs use for "there sure are a lot of black people down there!"

I used to live in Midtown and Home Park (and, for a while, on Luckie). I loved walking around and exploring the area. I knew what places were safe at night and what probably weren't, and right along Peachtree is going to be safe. It was just common sense. To hear others talk about it, though, you'd think there was crime on every corner.

I hear the same thing in Louisville from people in Oldham County. I live in Old Louisville and walk to and from events downtown. It's no big deal. Yes, there is a big mix of different ethnic groups around here. That just makes for better grocery stores and restaurants. It doesn't make the place less safe.