Residents Show Love and Encouragement for Seven Gables Farmhouse

If you drive down Hopewell Road you'll notice hearts, balloons and words of love in front of the Seven Gables Farmhouse, which was recently heavily damaged in a fire early on the morning of Sept. 13.

The house, located near the corner of Hopewell and Cogburn roads, is believed to be over 150 years old.

John Bogino bought the house 15 years ago and says it dates pre-Civil War. Bogino had since added on to the historic farmhouse, but says he's tried to stay true to its original character.

With all that hard work currently laying in ash, the Bogino family has seen plenty of support by the community. A banner with the words " Our Thoughts Are With You" adorns the wooden fence out front along with flowers and hearts with messages scribbled on their backs.

"The community is showing their true colors," says resident Patti Silva who has always admired Seven Gables Farmhouse. She had just passed by the farm the day before and is saddened by the loss.

Even the Internet is abuzz with condolences and words of encouragement for the Bogino family. One local real estate blog is full of messages from concerned citizens. One of those reads,

"I pass by your house every day and admired how beautiful it is and all of your animals. I’m so sorry to see and hear about what’s happened, but I am so glad you are okay. You are certainly in my family and I’s thoughts and I’ll try to find anything I can to help you with your loss."

Travis Allen, a member of the Milton Historic Preservation Commission, says that while there isn't much information available on the historic site, it's something the committee plans to learn more about in the future.

According to Allen, a Fulton County survey done in 1995-1996 stated that the house dates back to 1890-1899.

"We’ve found that many times the age dates back even further, such as the case with the McClesky/Day House that Milton purchased on the corner of Birmingham and Hopewell Roads," said Allen.