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| Macon's Historic Districts |
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Macon boasts 12 historic districts containing over 5,500 historic buildings, all listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Macon has more listed historic districts than any other city in Georgia. Please use the links below to learn more about each of the districts.
Cherokee Heights Cherokee Heights was developed by a real estate developing company, the Vineville Improvement Company. This company provided the first suburban development of its kind in Macon. The area was developed in two phases, the first from 1909 to 1911, and the second in 1923. Businessmen, managers, and other professionals of the early Twentieth Century middle class resided in Cherokee Heights. Location: Bounded by Pio Nono Avenue, Napier Avenue, Inverness Avenue and Suwanee Avenue. Developed: 1909 to 1923. Approx. 67 acres. Planned residential suburban community. Architectural Styles: Georgian Revival, English Tudor, Spanish Mission, Craftsman/Bungalow. Good collection of architect Neil Reid houses. Back to top In the 1920's, land in East Macon was sold for settlement and was further developed into the present pattern of large homes on large lots. Beginning in the Twentieth Century, smaller, more modest homes were incorporated, developing the neighborhood that is still visible today. Architectural Styles: Italianate, Folk Victorian, Neoclassical Revival and Craftsman. Fort Hill Fort Hill Historic District is built on land that was sold for settlement in the 1820's and continued development well into the Twentieth Century. This district also includes the Historic Fort Hawkins, which is also listed on the National Register. A reproduction of the Fort is also located within the district. Location: One mile east of central business district. Bounded by Emery Highway, Second Street Extension, Mitchell, Morrow and Schaeffer Place. Developed: 1870-1941 Acreage: Approx. 140 acres Architectural Styles: Queen Anne, Folk Victorian, Craftsman, and English Vernacular Revival. Macon Historic District The historic Terminal Station is an exceptional example of monumental architecture in downtown Macon. The former railroad station was designed in the Beaux Arts style and with Beaux Arts planning principles. Historic community institutional buildings are another group of prominent freestanding buildings located throughout the district. Christ Church, Mulberry Street United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church are all over 175 years old. They are examples of Gothic Revival, Richardson Romanesque, and High Victorian Gothic. The majority of Mercer University's buildings are variations of the Academic Gothic Revival style and Victorian Gothic and Neoclassical Revival. The district contains a significant and varied collection of residential buildings that range from landmark mansions to small worker homes. There are three distinct neighborhoods within the district that depict the various styles of architecture: Intown Neighborhood, Huguenin Heights, and Tatnall Square Heights. Part of the Intown neighborhood includes College Hill where Macon's upper class citizens constructed a number of landmark houses. These houses are very large and generally date from the 19th century; many are the work of prominent Macon architects. There are several historic landscaped parks in the district, including Coleman Hill Park in the College Hill neighborhood and the four-block Tatnall Square Park. Location: Roughly bounded by Walnut, Broadway, Oglethorpe, Central of Georgia Railroad, Edgewood, Interstate 75, and Madison Avenue Developed: 1823 (the date of the original town plan) through 1942 Architectural Styles: Folk Victorian, Queen Anne, Italianate, Neoclassical Revival, Bungalow/Craftsman, Classical Revival, Colonial Revival, Greek Revival, Commercial Style, Tudor Revival, Italian Renaissance, Late Gothic Revival, Romanesque, Skyscraper, Moderne, Art Deco, Gothic, and Beaux Arts. Huguenin Heights: The objectives of the project were to restore the neighborhood to predominately owner-occupied residential status and to create an environment where residents' pride in their neighborhood would reduce crime and maintain the properties. The project has been a tremendous success. In 1992, the neighborhood had 189 police calls recorded in seven months. In the same seven month period in 1997, only 29 calls were reported. That is a reduction of 85%. Property values have more than doubled since the revitalization has been completed. The project has garnered national acclaim in that it was a featured tour of the National Trust of Historic Preservation in 1998 and it was on "Restore America" on the HGTV channel. In 2001 the Georgia Trust awarded its Excellence in Rehabilitation award to MHF for Huguenin Heights. Tatnall Square Heights: The neighborhood consists of eighty-two properties including 18 owner-occupied houses, 36 non-owner occupied houses, 24 vacant lots and 4 commercial structures. Many of the houses are Queen Anne cottages with 2-3 bedrooms and 2 baths. It is anticipated that the Foundation will rehabilitate or construct at least 14 residences for single families to bring homeownership above 60%. Christmas in April has focused on the neighborhood in April 2000 assiteing many of the existing homeowners with necessary repairs. This project builds on Macon Heritage's success in the Huguenin Heights area where 16 houses have been rehabilitated for single-family homeownership. Seventeen houses have been sold, creating 50% home ownership in the area. North Highlands A wide variety of architectural style is seen in North Highland. Homes range from the older and larger Greek Revival, Queen Anne, Shingle Colonial Revival, Classic Revival, and Craftsman styles to the more economical one-story bungalows and early ranch style homes. The earliest house in the district is the Melrose-Barton House circa 1850, which exemplifies the Greek Revival style. Queen Anne style homes with their doric columned porches dominate at the intersection of Summit and North Avenue while English Vernacular Revival cottages are present on North Avenue. Nottingham Drive and the Curry Place/Clay Street section have many bungalows and brick ranch houses. Whereas North Highlands began with a residential and agricultural emphasis, it is now used by residents, limited businesses, and schools. North Highlands has a very active neighborhood association. For more information visit their website. Location: One mile northeast of central business district. Bounded by Nottingham Drive, Boulevard and Clinton Road. Developed: 1870-1936. Acreage: Approx. 130 acres Architectural Styles: Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Neoclassical Revival, English Vernacular Revival, Greek Revival and Craftsman. Pleasant Hill Pleasant Hill consists of mostly one-story homes with simple porches reflecting the "L-shaped" Victorian cottages. Many homes in the area show the influence of other styles such as Neoclassical columns and Craftsman-style porches. Included in the area are several corner stores, a Masonic Lodge, one small wood-framed church, and the St. Peter Claver Church and School in a late Victorian brick style. Location: Bounded by Madison Street, north of Vineville Avenue, east of Rogers Avenue, south of Neal Avenue. Bisected by I-75. Developed: 1870-1936 Acreage: Approx. one square mile Architectural Styles: Queen Anne, Neoclassical and Craftsman cottages and "shotgun" style houses. First African-American neighborhood. Linwood cemetery included within boundaries of district. Railroad Industrial District The Macon Railroad Industrial District symbolizes the importance of business to Macon's economic base. Businesses such as the Dixie Works, c. 1895, Adams Brothers Wholesale Grocery, c. 1894, The Macon Cabinet Company, c. 1895, and The Atlantic Compress Company, c. 1908, helped to start Macon's growth. The growth of Macon paralleled the growth of the railroad as depots received, stored, and shipped freight. Location: Area around Broadway, 5th, 6th and 7th Streets and Central Georgia Southern and Seaboard railroad tracks. Shirley Hills Homes in Shirley Hills represent many different styles of early 20th century architecture including: Colonial Revival, Classical Revival, Tudor Revival, Georgian Revival, Italian Renaissance, French Renaissance, Mission and Spanish Colonial Revival, Bungalow, Craftsman, Neoclassical Revival and English Vernacular. Notable Macon Architects, Elliot Dunwoody and Ellamae Ellis League, designed homes in Shirley Hills. Specifically, 1161 Nottingham Drive, a Georgian Revival by Elliot Dunwoody and 1435 Twin Pines Drive, a Neoclassical Revival by Ellamae Ellis League. The designers of this planned community insisted that the area should radiate a picturesque and park-like feeling. The landscaped yards in Shirley Hills adds to this natural appearance. Jackson Springs Park, originally believed to be a camping site of Andrew Jackson adds to the natural atmosphere of Shirley Hills. Location: Northeast section of city, one mile from the central business district. Includes portions of Nottingham Drive, Curry Drive, Parkview Drive, Jackson Spring Road, Oakcliff Road, Jaques Road, Twin Pines Drive and Jackson Spring Park. Developed: 1922-1941 Acreage: Approx. 300 acres Architectural Styles: Early 20th century Classic Revival, bungalows, Tudor Revival, Mediterranean. Developed as a planned residential subdivision of large residences from the estate of Senator A. O. Bacon. Tindall Heights Tindall Heights consists mainly of framed houses in the Queen Anne, Craftsman, Italianate, Classic Revival, Bungalow, Romanesque, Colonial Revival and Folk Victorian styles. The commercial properties are one and two story buildings with first floor storefronts. The churches are built in the Romanesque Revival and Colonial Revival styles. A unique feature of this historic district is the large, two story brick Colonial Revival neighborhood school. Location: One mile southwest of central business district within Oglethorpe, Broadway, Eisenhower Parkway, Felton, and Nussbaum Streets and the railroad. Developed: c. 1870-1942 Acreage: Approx. 400 acres. Architectural Styles: Queen Anne cottages, shotgun-style houses, folk Victorian, Craftsman, Classic Revival, Colonial Revival, Romanesque. The Vineville Historic District (interactive map), one and one half miles northwest of downtown Macon, was accepted into the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. This district includes not only residential but also commercial buildings incorporating a wide variety of architectural designs from the 1830's to 1930's. Represented in the 700 homes, churches, and businesses are Plantation Plain, Victorian, Neoclassical, and Bungalow styles. The district also features extraordinary examples of the Spanish Villa, English Tudor, Italian Renaissance, Federal Georgian and Jacobean styles. Prominent residents of this historical district included Reverend G.F. Pierce, the first president of Macon's Wesleyan College, George M. Logan, mayor of Macon in 1839, and the Honorable Thomas Hardeman, a United States congressional representative in the late 1850's who developed the "stars and bars" on Georgia's previous state flag.
Beginning as an area full of large plantation estates, the Vineville Historic District boasts many large Plantation Plain homes, such as the Solomon-Smith house at 2619 Vineville Avenue. The Greek Revival architectural style is represented in the Napier-Small house built in 1846 at 156 Rogers Avenue which is nationally recognized as a prototypical example. Notable architect, Neel Reid designed the Max Morris house in 1915 at 2082 Vineville Avenue in the Colonial Revival style. Other significant homes include 172 Cleveland, circa 1836 and 201 Clisby, which was built in the 1830's by Samuel T. Bailey and sold to Joseph Clisby, the first President of the Board of Education, in 1858. Clisby School was named in his honor. As the Vineville area became more suburbanized, the addition of churches such as Vineville Presbyterian and Vineville Baptist Church complimented the district with unique and grand architecture. Vineville has a very active neighborhood association. For more information about Vineville Neighborhood Association and its functions, see their website. Location: Along Vineville Avenue from I-75 to Georgia Academy for the Blind and including side streets such as Pierce Avenue, Hines Terrace, Cleveland Avenue, Buford Place and Rogers Avenue. Adjacent to Pleasant Hill Historic District. Developed: c. 1830 - 1935. Acreage approx. 525 acres. Architectural Styles: Classic Revival, Queen Anne, Craftsman/Bungalows, Plantation Plain, Victorian, Neoclassical, Spanish Villa, English Tudor, Italian Renaissance, Federal Georgian, and Jacobean. Cherokee Brick The Cherokee Brick and Tile Company historic district represents the entire brick making process from the mining and transportation of clay to the manufacture and shipping of brick. The two principal brick-making buildings at the main plant are the combined Plant Nos 1 and 2 (1920 -22 and 1960s) and Plant No. 3 (1947 - 1949). A large, gambrel-roofed clay storage building (1926) sends clay to both main plant building by overhead conveyors. Finished bricks ready for shipping are stacked along a spur line on the site of earlier kilns. The two straight kilns can produce 100,000 bricks every twenty-four hours; over 130 million bricks are produced annually. The district also includes networks of roads and rail lines, several surviving rail cars, and a plate-girder turntable bridge (1928) across the Ocmulgee River. Archaeological survey and testing on the tract have resulted in the discovery of nine prehistoric sites, seven of which have been recommended eligible. These sites range in age from the Early Archaic period (8000 - 6000 BC) to a previously unreported Mississippian Period Lamar mound complex (A.D. 1450 - 1550) which appears to include a central ceremonial mound and approximately sixteen house mounds. |
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