As the remnants of fires smolder at what's left of the former Bona Allen Co tannery in Buford, we spoke to KBD Group's Bona Allen about the illustrious past of the Reconstruction-era property.
Bona is the great-grandson of the founder -- Bona Allen Sr -- of the tannery that, after opening during Reconstruction, became one of the country's premier leather tanning operations, making saddles for such illustrious names as Roy Rogers and William Cody. At one point, Bona Allen Co became the city's largest employer, and the tannery structure itself is considered by many to be integral to Buford's history.
The family sold the operation to Tex Tan Inc in the 1960s (later becoming Tandy Corp and eventually Radio Shack), and has long since sold ownership of the warehouse. Bona's father was born in the Greek revival home across the street and even worked there during the time he went to Georgia Tech. KBD Group has completed construction projects in the area for decades, giving Bona the opportunity to visit, including this year with the construction of IDI Gazeley's Hamilton Mill Building C project. Bona says he hasn't spoken to his father about the fire last night -- which the Gwinnett Daily Post is reporting is a total loss -- but Bona says his father wasn't too shocked when the facility burned down in the 1980s, given all the residual tanning chemicals soaked into the wood walls and floors at the time. The Daily Post reports the fire is still under investigation.
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