kids encyclopedia robot

National Register of Historic Places listings in Muscogee County, Georgia facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Map of Georgia highlighting Muscogee County
Map highlighting Muscogee County in Georgia

Have you ever wondered about the old buildings and places in your town? Many cities and counties have special spots that are important because of their history. In Muscogee County, Georgia, there are many such places! These historic buildings and areas are so special that they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). This list helps protect them and reminds us of the amazing stories from the past.

What is the National Register of Historic Places?

The National Register of Historic Places is like a special club for important historical sites across the United States. When a building, a group of buildings (called a historic district), or even a whole area is added to this list, it means it has a unique story to tell about American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. It helps people understand why these places matter and encourages their preservation for future generations.

Muscogee County's Historic Treasures

Muscogee County is full of history, from old homes to important industrial sites. Many of these places are in Columbus, Georgia, the county seat. They show us what life was like long ago and how the area grew.

Historic Homes and Buildings

Muscogee County has many beautiful old houses and buildings that tell tales of the past. These include:

  • The Adams Cotton Gin Building at 6601 Hamilton Road, listed in 1984. A cotton gin was a machine that separated cotton fibers from their seeds, a very important invention for the South.
  • The Bullard-Hart House at 1408 3rd Avenue, added in 1977. This house is a great example of older architecture.
  • The Thomas V. Butts House at 1214 3rd Avenue, listed in 1980.
  • Dinglewood, located at 1429 Dinglewood Street, is an amazing Italian Villa-style house built in 1859. It was listed in 1972.
  • The Goetchius-Wellborn House at 405 Broadway, added in 1969.
  • The Joseph House at 828 Broadway, also listed in 1969.
  • The Lion House at 1316 3rd Avenue, listed in 1972.
  • The McArdle House at 927 3rd Avenue, added in 1980.
  • The Mott House on Front Avenue, listed in 1974.
  • The Octagon House at 527 1st Avenue is a very unique building because of its eight-sided shape. It was listed in 1969 and is also a National Historic Landmark, meaning it's super important!
  • The Pemberton House at 11 7th Street, listed in 1971.
  • The Rankin House at 1440 2nd Avenue, added in 1972.
  • The Walker-Peters-Langdon House at 716 Broadway, listed in 1969.
  • The Wells-Bagley House at 22 6th Street, added in 1969.

Important Public and Commercial Buildings

Many buildings that served the community or were centers of business are also on the list:

  • The Broad Street Methodist Episcopal Church South at 1323-1325 Broadway, listed in 1980.
  • The Central of Georgia Railroad Terminal has two listings, one at 700 12th Street and another at 1200 6th Avenue, both added in 1980. These were important hubs for train travel.
  • The Church of the Holy Family at 320 12th Street, listed in 1980.
  • The City Fire Department building at 1338 and 1340 Broadway, added in 1980.
  • The First National Bank at 1048 Broadway, listed in 1974.
  • The First Presbyterian Church at 1100 1st Avenue, added in 1980.
  • The Kress building at 1117 Broadway, listed in 1980. Kress was a popular "five and dime" store.
  • The Ledger-Enquirer Building at 17 W. 12th Street, added in 1980. This was home to a major local newspaper.
  • The Liberty Theater at 821 8th Avenue, listed in 1984, was an important place for entertainment.
  • The Springer Opera House at 105 10th Street, added in 1970, is another National Historic Landmark. It's a beautiful old theater where many famous performers have appeared.
  • The Trinity Episcopal Church at 1130 1st Avenue, listed in 1980.
  • The U.S. Post Office and Courthouse at 120 12th Street, added in 1980.
  • The Y.M.C.A. building at 124 11th Street, listed in 1980, was a center for community activities.

Industrial and Military History

Muscogee County also has sites that highlight its industrial past:

  • The C.S.S. MUSCOGEE AND CHATTAHOOCHEE (gunboats) site at 4th Street West of U.S. 27, listed in 1970. These were important ships during the Civil War.
  • The Columbus Ironworks at 901 Front Avenue, added in 1969. This was a major factory that made iron products.
  • The Columbus Stockade at 622 10th Street, listed in 1980.
  • The Columbus Historic Riverfront Industrial District is a large area along the Columbus River that was once a busy center for factories and businesses. It was listed in 1978 and is a National Historic Landmark.

Historic Districts

Some areas are listed as "historic districts" because they contain many important buildings that together tell a story:

  • The Bibb City Historic District is roughly bounded by the Chattahoochee River, Woodland Circle, 2nd Avenue, and 35th Street. It was listed in 2010.
  • The Columbus Historic District is a large area roughly bounded by 9th and 4th Streets, 4th Avenue, and the Chattahoochee River. It was first listed in 1969 and had its boundaries expanded in 1988.
  • The Dinglewood Historic District is bounded by 13th and 16th Avenues, 13th Street, and Wynnton Road. It was added in 2001.
  • The High Uptown Historic District is roughly bounded by 2nd and 3rd Avenues between Railroad and 13th Streets. It was listed in 2004.
  • The Rankin Square area, bounded by Broadway, 1st Avenue, 10th and 11th Streets, was listed in 1977.
  • The Waverly Terrace area, roughly bounded by Hamilton Road, Peabody Avenue, 27th and 30th Streets, was listed in 1983.
  • The Weracoba-St. Elmo Historic District is roughly bounded by 13th and Virginia Streets, 13th, 15th, 16th and Cherokee Avenues, and Talbotton Road. It was added in 1994.
  • The Wynn's Hill-Overlook-Oak Circle Historic District and the Wynnton Village Historic District are also important areas that show how the community developed over time.

Former Listings

Sometimes, a property might be removed from the National Register of Historic Places. This can happen if a building is changed too much, or if it is unfortunately torn down. In Muscogee County, some buildings that were once listed have been removed, often because they were part of larger historic districts that were later created.

These historic places are like windows into the past, helping us learn about the people, events, and ways of life that shaped Muscogee County and beyond. Visiting them can be a fun way to connect with history!

Images for kids

kids search engine
National Register of Historic Places listings in Muscogee County, Georgia Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.