Hills and Dales Estate

The design of the home is also said to have been inspired by one of Reid's favorite architects, Charles Adams Platt and his adaptations of Italian villas set in formal landscape gardens.

Neel Reid's signature classic style is featured in the interior of the home with its double staircase, stone fireplaces (one of which was changed to wood by Philip Schutze in 1948) and the long, narrow palm room with vaulted ceiling and low marble wainscot.

[6] One such visit was written up in the local newspaper of the time, The LaGrange Reporter, who wrote of the majestic grove of oaks, the scented breeze and how they were speechless with astonishment at the bewildering paradise opening out before us.

[7] Italian Villa Built In Georgia's Most Famous Garden proclaimed The Atlanta Journal on April 30, 1916, when Fuller and Ida Callaway opened their new home to visitors for their 25th wedding anniversary.

The article goes on to quote Mr. Callaway talking about the garden:Forestry and botanical experts, amazed at the wonderful growth of flowers, shrubs and trees, some rare specimens of which from Japan, Australia, China and the Holy Land thrive better than in their native lands, have tried to explain this phenomenon by stating that there is some peculiar property of the soil, but they are wrong.

Fuller Earle Callaway (1870-1928) was born in Troup County, Georgia and was an entrepreneur from an early age, selling sundries to rural housewives and farming.

[9] Following Ida's death in 1936, her two sons, Cason and Fuller Jr. submitted sealed bids for Hills & Dales to see which one would get the family home.