The Home:
A Rich History

The house at Forty Oaks is an intact example of an I-House, a house type that is not common in Georgia. It was also the home of Ed Sutton and his family for almost 90 years. Ed Sutton was very active in his community as [the 4th mayor of Clarkston], a newspaper editor, organized labor advocate, local volunteer, chicken breeder, brother in the Kappa Sigma fraternity, and teacher [who organized Clarkston's first public school]. Retention and preservation of the house would provide a point of interest for the property, as well as allow for an accurate interpretation of the history of the property, the history of the Sutton family, and the history of Clarkston. – New South Associates, 2023

Mrs. Sutton and her daughter, Hazel (who graciously donated Forty Oaks), were also active in Civic Organization and The Clarkston Woman's Club. Mrs. Sutton served as the 5th district Family Finance Chairman and was the President of the first woman's auxiliary to a labor union. Hazel was president of The Clarkston Woman's Club, a member of The Women's Business Council, and an award-winning youth opportunity advocate