The Marietta Pilgrimage
A Christmas Home Tour through Marietta, Georgia

The McNeel-Harpenau House, c. 1924

211 Freyer Drive

 

This charming house, with neo-classical elements, was built in 1924 by Morgan L. McNeel, Jr. and his wife Hazel. McNeel’s father, Morgan, Sr., was the developer of the Cherokee Heights Subdivision, which included Freyer Drive – the first modern planned subdivision in Marietta. McNeel was the owner of the McNeel Marble Company. He and his wife were very active in the community. The Hazel & Morgan McNeel Scholarship at Kennesaw State University is named in their honor. The McNeels sold the house to Ora Lee Smith, who then sold it in 1944 to Norris Sinclair. In 1967, the house was purchased by E.H. Hatmaker and he in turn sold it to Willis & Clara Hames in 1974. The next owners, Alan Parham & Cecelia Waters acquired the property in 1989 and they sold it to the current owners, Michael & Petite Harpenau in 2008.

 

The exterior of the house remains remarkably original, although interior amenities have changed considerably. Due to the McNeel Marble connections, there is marble throughout the house, including the living room fireplace made of Tennessee marble, the dining room fireplace made of Georgia Creole marble and the front steps.

 

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