In Place: One Man’s Folly

To be called a “folly,” the mansion at 506 Telfair commands more respect than most Augusta landmarks.

Known today as Ware’s Folly, the home was built in the early 1800s by future Augusta mayor and U.S. Sen. Nicholas Ware for the exorbitant sum of $40,000. While its floating spiral staircase and gorgeous three-story columns draw the eyes of antiquarians and window shoppers alike, it’s the home’s price tag that had people thinking it was a mistake. At roughly $750,000 by today’s standards, it is one of the most expensive houses ever built within Augusta’s city limits.

Visit The Fine Print, the online home of A., Augusta University’s alumni magazine, to read more of “In Place: One Man’s Folly” and learn how Augusta University’s legacy intertwines with that of the historic mansion.