John F. Patterson was married in 1940 in Whitfield County. He and his wife, Sybil, would visit this property every chance they got. He’d often say,“Someday I want to own this place.” That someday came true almost 39 years later, and the rest is history.

Mr. Patterson bought two Standardbred pacers in the mid-‘40s. Planning to use them on the farm as saddle horses. But he received an invitation to drive them in a matinee harness race in Rome, Georgia. That sparked his lifelong passion for harness racing.

Patterson trained and drove some of the world’s great pacers and trotters, including Merrie Annabelle, the first freshman-trotting filly to clock a 2:00 minute miracle mile, and 1964 Pacer of the Year, Overtrick, with a world record of 3:53.4 for two combined heats.

Stables, pastures, then the track, a proving ground for finding the next great filly.Handy with a road grader, Mr. Patterson built the ½ mile track himself. Surface stability and drainage were the most important qualities. Neither was overlooked.

Just across the street, in middle school, Jerome and Mitchell Hollis watched the horses train and race. Horse owners from around the world brought their pacers and trotters to Patterson Farms.

Mr. Patterson’s son, John, returns home after a decade of training and driving on the New York circuit at some of harness racing’s world-famous tracks. Mr. Patterson, Sr. welcomes him home and the 7-day work week, dawn ‘til dusk ensues.

One evening, the development team meets at a restaurant. As the discussion grows, Mitchell begins sketching on a paper tablecloth. Before they know it, the entire design -- from community spaces to nature trails and homes -- is drawn out.

Patterson Farms officially broke ground in September 2021. Offerings such as Townhomes, Cottages, and Quads provide rustic and luxury options for current and future residents - with more options in the works.