DeKalb’s oldest house and Paul K. Graham

My story this week about the sale and possible demolition of the Goodwin House, DeKalb County’s oldest home, would not have been possible without the gracious and speedy help of DeKalb History Center archivist Paul K. Graham.

Twelve hours after I cold-called him on the off chance that he might have info about the house, he had two neat folders of information waiting for me — one with Goodwin family history, the other with architectural information about the house.

I sat in his office for an hour and left with enough research material to write a book. A dull, narrowly focused book, but a book nonetheless.

Among the documents Graham had on file was a corporate newsletter published in the 1960s by Atlanta pest-control company Rollins bragging about fumigating the house.

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The newsletter also includes a page of fashion tips for Rollins’ female employees.

“You owe it to your boss and yourself to dress well!”