Tag Archives: National Register of Historic Places

Terrell-Stone House, Circa 1822, Sparta

Built in the early 1820s for Dr. William Terrell (1778-1855), this remarkable Federal house displays a strong Palladian influence. A front porch extending the width of the house was removed during renovations but was likely not original to the structure.

A stone-sided kitchen survives on the property, as does an office said to originally have been a billiard house [below]. Obviously, it was built in the Victorian era and the side room is a later addition.

Dr. Terrell was a leading citizen in early-19th-century Sparta, serving in the Georgia legislature and later as a member of the U. S. House of Representatives. He was the founder and first president of the Sparta Planters Club, an agricultural and social consortium of prominent landowners which aimed to improve farming practices. He endowed the first serious chair of agriculture in the United States at the University of Georgia. Terrell County in Southwest Georgia is named for him.

Sparta Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Andrew Low House, 1849, Savannah

Built between 1848-1849 on a trust lot facing LaFayette Square by architect John Norris, the Andrew Low House is one of Savannah’s most iconic residences and its most popular house museum. Vanity Fair author William Makepeace Thackeray described it as the “most comfortable accommodations in America”. Low was self-made, with early  success in retail and shipping. He eventually became Savannah’s premier cotton factor and wealthiest man.

Andrew Low persevered through numerous personal losses and a Union blockade and was even captured and briefly imprisoned for his part in procuring the largest successful shipment of guns and munitions to reach the Confederacy. Losses brought on by the war and the instability of the cotton market led Low and his remaining family to relocate to Leamington, England in 1867. Andrew Low, who always maintained ties with Savannah, died at Leamington in 1886. He was buried alongside his wives and son at Laurel Grove.

Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts, was married to Low’s son William Mackay Low. They planned to divorce but before it was final, Low died in 1905. Juliette, known to friends as Daisy, inherited the house and lived here until her death in 1927.

Juliette Gordon Low Historic District, National Historic Landmark

Harley-Harris-Rives House, 1840s, Sparta

This landmark house was built in the late 1840s as a wedding gift for William Harley and Mary Battle, and was home to the Harris and Rives families thereafter.

Like most grand residences of its time in the South, it was built with slave labor. It was restored in the early 2000s by Suzy and Robert Currey and is today surrounded by their organic farming operations.

Sparta Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Moore-Lewis House, Circa 1823, Sparta

Sparta Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Burgamy House, Sparta

Sparta Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Craftsman Bungalow, Sparta

Sparta Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Silas Fulton House, 1860, Savannah

Savannah Historic District, National Historic Landmark

Lane-Walker House, Circa 1825, Sparta

This house has been expanded at least twice in its nearly two centuries in Sparta. It is best known as the home of Julia Frances Dickson, the enslaved woman who gave birth to Amanda America Dickson, the wealthiest black woman in 19th century Georgia.

Sparta Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Sparta Flower Shoppe, 1940s

Sistie Hudson notes that Jewel Stewart opened the Sparta Flower Shoppe here in the 1940s and it served that purpose until closing upon Ginger Yarbrough’s retirement in August 2018. It’s a great structure.

Sparta Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Georgia Railroad Depot, Circa 1881, Sparta

The Georgia Railroad depot at Sparta has been in derelict condition for many years, but the roof has recently been replaced and I believe further renovations are on the drawing board.

It is very similar to other depots of the Georgia Railroad.

Sparta Historic District, National Register of Historic Places