Candler Mansion

Could a house built on Coca-Cola millions ever truly be described as “humble”? Probably not, especially not Candler Mansion. This sprawling estate, now cloaked in an air of faded grandeur, was once the epitome of Roaring Twenties extravagance. Asa “Buddie” Candler Jr., son of the Coca-Cola tycoon, poured his considerable inheritance into creating a home that outshone even his flamboyant family’s previous mansions. Imagine, if you will, a 1,700-square-foot music room with a three-story vaulted ceiling, echoing with the music from the world’s eighth-largest Aeolian pipe organ. This musical behemoth boasted three sets of chimes, a harp, and even a celesta, its massive 32-foot pipes a rarity in even the grandest cathedrals, let alone a private residence. Candler Mansion wasn’t just a home; it was a statement. Outside, the grounds were equally impressive. Two enormous pools shimmered under the Georgia sun, one a private oasis for family and friends, the other a public attraction where Atlantans could cool off with a refreshing Coke. Greenhouses overflowed with exotic plants collected from across the globe, illuminated at night by a network of electric lights, a dazzling display of wealth in a time before widespread electricity. But Buddie’s extravagance didn’t stop there. He indulged his love for the exotic by establishing a private zoo, home to elephants, a gorilla, and even a mischievous baboon whose penchant for stealing purses ultimately led to the zoo’s closure. Alas, like the fizz escaping a forgotten bottle of Coke, Buddie’s fortune eventually dwindled. He sold Candler Mansion in the late 1940s, and it eventually found new life as the Georgia Mental Health Institute. Standing here today, you can almost hear the echoes of those extravagant parties, the roar of the crowds from his short-lived Atlanta Speedway, a testament to a man who lived life on a grand scale.