By the time Ainsworth Emery Blunt was serving as mayor of Dalton (or Cross Plains), he had lived in the area for more than 25 years. In the early 1820's Blunt had been selected by the Morovians to minister at their Brainerd mission. After the Cherokee Trail of Tears in 1838, Blunt moved to Cross Plains. The Blunt House (pictured, left) was completed in 1848 and was either the second house in Dalton (unlikely) or the second two-story house in the city (much more credible). Blunt served as postmaster and first mayor of Dalton, according to the local historians. It is often misreported that the home served as headquarters for Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston, who actually stayed at the Cook House (now known as Huff House). Staff members, however, did use this house during the winter of 1863-1864.

As war moved to his doorstep, Blunt moved to Illinois. Returning in 1865, the aging Blunt saw his house heavily damaged by the Union Army, who used for a hospital. He applied for compensation from the federal government and received it. Because of this and the time he spent in Illinois, the former mayor is believed to have been a Union sympathizer. He died in 1866.

The home continued in the Blunt family, housing his daughter's family and their children, and eventually his grandchildren. It was Emery Blunt Kirby Baxley who gave the home to the Whitfield-Murray Historical Society in 1978 with one request, that it be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. This was accomplished in 1980.

Today the home is the showpiece of the Society, featuring period pieces and pictures from the Blunt family.

Location: 506 S. Thornton Ave.
Dalton, Georgia
Directions: I-75 exit 333 east on Walnut Ave., 1.8 miles. Left on Thornton Ave., 3 blocks on left.
Additional information:
Tours by appointment only
Telephone:706.278.0217
Date added: November 16, 2003
Last update: January 23, 2004