The First (proposed) Locations of the Bent Tree Marina, Stables, and Store.

When Bent Tree was being designed in the late 60s, Atlanta-based developer Spratlin and Associates hired two different firms to map out the planned locations of facilities and roads. Zachery W. Henderson & Associates and landscape architects Hudson - Welch and Associates mapped out the layout. While some of the primary areas like the front gate and the Clubhouse location (later named Club Tamarack) remained true to their original planned locations, other areas like the over-promised Marina (a.k.a. boat storage area), Stables, and Store were originally slated for different spots.

None of the proposed locations made much sense from a topographic and ease of access point of view. The Store would have been located on the lot where the address of 39 Tamarack Circle presently is, and the Marina building would have been located at 45 Tamarack Circle with the docks along the bend of the southeastern side of the dam on the lakeside edge of Tamarack Circle.

The original planned location of the store and marina, 39 and 45 Tamarack Circle respectively. NOTE: The artwork clearly implies the lake would have allowed stronger motors than Bent Tree's no-wake policy.

The original store location is highlighted, The marina would have been located at the location two houses to the right.

The Stables location was originally supposed to be located between the top of Hendrix Mountain and Big Stump Mountain at what would be the area between Echo Ridge and Big Stump Mountain Roads at what is now approximately the address of 36 Big Stump Mountain Trail. The only rationale about the placement of the Stables would be access to the old Civilian Conservation road at the end of Bald Eagle Bend.

Section of the design map for Bent Tree showing the Stables near the corner of Bald Eagle Bend and Big Stump Mountain Trail.

The highlighted area, located at 36 Big Stump Mountain Trail, would have housed the land and facilities of the planned Stables.

The Store later was previously located in the building of the former Bent Tree Host House, a small four room motel which previously housed the library and administrative offices and later became the recycling center, a stray animal overflow area, and a bus stop. (This building was located downhill from Fire Station #1 and across from the current Waste and Recycling Center)

The Host House building was formerly the location of the admin offices and library before becoming a recycling area, bus stop, and animal shelter overflow. It was torn down after 2021.

Although the design concept of the Marina was far nicer than the execution of the Bent Tree Boat Storage area, the implemented location was more practical. There would have been at least fifty steps downhill to the Marina and where would the residents have put in their boats?Probably at the present boat launch area.

In 1999, a proposed boat storage facility was designed but never implemented. The design can be seen below.

These plans would have hosued 100 boats in six separate wooden storage areas.