Ida Cason Gardens - Rare Map Issued For The Opening Season Of Georgia's Ida Cason Gardens. Ida Cason Callaway Foundation

"Over a century of heavy cotton cultivation led the soil in some parts of Georgia to be 'played out' by the time the Great Depression struck. Cason Callaway, a successful miller, and his wife Virginia bought up vast tracts of depleted land at a discount in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. They completely renovated the landscape, planting thousands of trees, native plants, and flowers - especially azaleas. The former farmland was transformed into the Ida Cason Gardens, which opened in 1952 on 13,000 acres of property in Harris County. It included golf courses, several lakes, and a number of guest amenities visible on this map of the grounds issued for the inaugural year. The map is accompanied by a single page of text that outlines details for the winter season, along with a sketched map showing directions to Roosevelt's Little White House. The plan is scarce and unlisted in OCLC. Only one example, used widely in internet search results, was identified in the Chattahoochee Valley Regional Library System Collection. Source: University System of Georgia; Callaway Gardens History;" Sheet Width (in) 21.75 Sheet Height (in) 16.9 Condition Description Creasing and moderate toning along originally issued fold lines. Moderate scattered soiling visible in the lower left quarter, adjacent to the title. Good condition overall. Blank on verso. Includes accompanying flyer with winter season details and small sketch map.