Alcyone Plantation | A Destination Wedding Venue and Special Event Location located in the South Georgia and North Florida area

Alcyone Plantation, a Greek revival home located in Hamilton County, Florida, was built in the 1850’s by John.R.Stapler.  In the 1860’s Mr. Stapler was a leading cotton grower, landowner and slaveholder.  During this time, Mr. Stapler also became one of the four original commissioners who mapped Valdosta, Georgia and was instrumental in achieving a railroad in Valdosta.  The first train arrived on July 4, 1860.

Mr. Stapler and his wife, Caroline, had six children.  Tradition says that John R. Stapler planted an oak tree in the front yard for each child and the six original oak trees still exist today. More magnificent oaks have been added through the years creating a picturesque canopy welcoming friends and guest to the main house.

Mr. Stapler died in 1877 leaving the home and property to his wife until her death in 1900.  She lived in the home with her son, James F. Stapler and his wife, Susan Ashley, for many years.  Susan Ashley was the daughter of Dr. William Ashley, one of Valdosta’s first physicians, and the great aunt of Frank Bird, Jr. who would later buy Alcyone, not knowing of the family connection. The Spain family of Quitman, Georgia, purchased the home in 1910.  Mrs. Spain was a daughter of John Stapler.  Soon afterwards, they sold the property to the Alcyone-Suwannee Fish and Game Club of Hamilton County.  It remained as a fishing club until 1917 when it was sold to Grace Brown.  In 1918, Grace Brown sold the property to L.G. Hardman.  L.G. Hardman was the Governor of Georgia from 1927-1931.  Governor Hardman was married to Emma Wiley Griffin, who was from Valdosta, and they used the property as their summer residence.  They resided in Atlanta, Georgia and rumor has it that they would take the train to Lake Park and then travel to Alcyone by horse and buggy.   In the early 1970’s, the Hardman family sold the property to Frank Bird, Jr. who was a businessman in Valdosta.  In 1993 Frank Bird, III and his wife, Jamie, began the restoration process of the home.  The restoration process was fully completed in 1997.

The main home now consist of five large rooms:  kitchen, two sunrooms, four bedrooms, three baths, nine fireplaces, two staircases, and wide full-length halls opening onto two porches that run the length of the home.  The original plaster moldings are still intact.  The initial hand-blown windowpanes remain throughout the home as well as heart of pine floors. The property includes the original ice, smoke and pump houses.

Tradition tells us many intriguing stories about the history of Alcyone Plantation.  Some have been proven to be true; however, other tales are still a mystery.  In the dining room, R.L. Stapler’s name is etched in one of the windowpanes. Tradition tells the story that his bride etched his name in the windowpane to see if her diamond ring was real.  R.L. Stapler was John R. Stapler’s son and at the age of 15, he joined the Confederate forces and fought with Hampton’s Legion in the first Manassas (July 21, 1861). Another legend occurs during the Civil War when the remnants of the Confederate government went to Madison, Florida.  A wagon loaded with gold broke down and the gold was buried on the property.