ATLANTA, Feb. 26 — The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation released today its 2025 list of 10 Places in Peril in the state.

Sites on the list include: 148 Edgewood Avenue in Atlanta (Fulton County); Collier-Toomer House in Savannah (Chatham County); Crossroads Rosenwald School in Dixie (Brooks County); Gaissert Homeplace in Williamson (Spalding County); Miami Valley Peach Packing Barn in Fort Valley (Peach County); Historic Nicholsonboro Baptist Church in Savannah (Chatham County); Powell Opera House in Blakely (Early County); Historic Rock House in Thomson (McDuffie County); Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth (Gwinnett County); and Buckhead Town Hall and Jail in the town of Buckhead (Morgan County).

“This is the Trust’s twentieth annual Places in Peril list,” said W. Wright Mitchell, president and CEO of the Trust. “We hope the list will continue to bring preservation solutions to Georgia’s imperiled historic resources by highlighting ten representative sites.”

Places in Peril is designed to raise awareness about Georgia’s significant historic, archaeological and cultural resources, including buildings, structures, districts, archaeological sites and cultural landscapes that are threatened by demolition, neglect, lack of maintenance, inappropriate development or insensitive public policy.

Sites on previous years’ lists include the c. 1883 Foster-Thomason-Miller-Minnix House in Madison, a Queen Anne style house that suffered from fire damage and decades of neglect, was completely rehabilitated and received a Georgia Trust Preservation Award in 2024; the McConnell-Chadwick House in Milton, one of Cherokee County’s oldest structures, was recently donated by Larry Chadwick to the City of Milton, which has approved funds for its preservation; the Adam Strain Building in Darien, one of Georgia’s last surviving tabby structures, was saved from demolition and fully rehabilitated into a brewhouse and restaurant in 2024; the historic integrity of the Calvary Episcopal Church in Americus was preserved when GDOT replaced the old Lee Street Bridge with an in-kind replacement that meets modern transportation needs; the Cuthbert Water Tower, the country’s only water tower positioned in the middle of a federal highway, was saved thanks to community efforts and a grant from the Georgia Trust; and the Huston House on Butler Island in Darien, a historic house built in 1927 by Colonel T.L. Huston, was tragically destroyed by fire in June 2024.

Founded in 1973, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation works for the preservation and revitalization of Georgia’s diverse historic resources and advocates their appreciation, protection and use. As one of the country’s leading statewide, nonprofit preservation organizations, the Trust generates community revitalization by finding buyers for endangered properties acquired by its Revolving Fund and raises awareness of other endangered historic resources through an annual listing of Georgia’s Places in Peril. The Trust offers a variety of educational programs for adults and children, provides technical assistance to property owners and historic communities, advocates for funding, tax incentives and other laws aiding preservation efforts, and manages two house museums in Atlanta (Rhodes Hall) and Macon (Hay House).

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Editor’s Note: Summary information on each 2025 Place in Peril follows. For additional background material and more information on each site, please go to www.georgiatrust.org/our-programs/places-in-peril/.

Hi-res images can be downloaded here: https://bit.ly/placesinperil2025.

President and CEO W. Wright Mitchell is available for in-person and telephone interviews. Email trothwell@georgiatrust.org or call 404-885-7802.

Summary Information on each ‘Places in Peril’ Site

148 Edgewood Avenue in Atlanta (Fulton County)
The building at 148 Edgewood Avenue was constructed as a substation in 1926 by the Georgia Railway and Power Company and played a crucial role in powering downtown Atlanta. Acquired by Georgia State University (GSU) in 1966, the university has recently proposed demolishing the building to make way for a parking lot. With a demolition permit signed by Governor Kemp, GSU continues discussions about the destruction of this contributing building in the already threatened Martin Luther King, Jr. National Register District.

Collier-Toomer House, Savannah (Chatham County)
The Collier-Toomer House in Savannah was built in 1938 for Dr. Nathaniel H. Collier, an esteemed African American dentist and civic leader in Savannah, and his wife, Nancy. The home served as a gathering place for social and educational events that contributed to the local community. In 2024, the owner sought to convert the site from residential to commercial, with plans to demolish the building. Although public opposition successfully blocked the zoning request, the property remains at risk with no historic designation or local protections in place.

Crossroads Rosenwald School, Dixie (Brooks County)
One of the few remaining Rosenwald Schools in Georgia, the 1927 Crossroads School played a vital role in the education of the local African American community during a time of segregation. The building is at risk of demolition by neglect, having been abandoned for many years. Situated in a rural area, the property suffers from both low visibility and a lack of funding for necessary repairs and preservation.

Gaissert Homeplace, Williamson (Spalding County)
Built in 1827 on land ceded by the Creek Nation in 1821, the Gaissert House was constructed by Daniel Orr for his son. Over the years, it changed hands several times and was ultimately purchased by George Columbus Gaissert in 1906, remaining in the Gaissert family for generations. Following the recent passing of the last family member, it was sold to a developer, whose plans for commercial development threaten to erase the property’s historic integrity.

Miami Valley Peach Packing Barn, Fort Valley (Peach County)
Constructed c. 1900, this barn was originally part of the Miami Valley Fruit Farm, a thriving peach operation owned by former Senator J.E. Davidson, a key figure in establishing Georgia as the heart of “peach country.” The barn has been inactive for many years and is deteriorating. While its eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places may protect it from current development plans, growing development pressure poses a continuous threat.

Historic Nicholsonboro Baptist Church, Savannah (Chatham County)
Founded in 1850 on St. Catherine’s Island, this Baptist congregation of formerly enslaved individuals built a church in this location in 1870, followed by a second in 1890. The historic 1870 church stands as a testament to the congregation’s roots, while the 1890 church is still in use. Both structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, with a small, aging congregation, it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain and restore the church buildings, as resources are limited.

Powell Opera House, Blakely (Early County)
The original Powell Opera House, built in 1904, was a three-story brick building that purportedly had seating for 750 and hosted a variety of performances. After a fire in 1907, it was rebuilt in 1910 as a two-story office building with businesses on the first floor and the opera house on the second. It closed in 1936 and has remained shuttered since. Although the space shows numerous signs of deterioration, it is largely intact. Locals are now advocating for its rehabilitation.

Historic Rock House, Thomson (McDuffie County)
The c. 1795 Rock House in McDuffie County is one of the few remaining structures linked to Georgia’s 18th-century Quaker community of Wrightsboro. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it is considered to be the oldest stone house in the state and has ancestral ties to former President Jimmy Carter. The property faces challenges from vandalism and the elements, with its remote location complicating security and repairs, as well as a lack of sufficient funds for restoration.

Southeastern Railway Museum, Duluth (Gwinnett County)
Spanning 35 acres, the Southeastern Railway Museum boasts a remarkable collection of rolling stock that is not only significant to Georgia’s history but to the broader story of American transportation. Noteworthy railcars include President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Marco Polo and the 1911 Pullman Superb, the latter listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The museum thrives on a small staff and a team of dedicated volunteers. However, with over 90 pieces of historic rolling stock, the museum is limited in its capacity to restore and care for the whole collection.

Buckhead Town Hall and Jail, Town of Buckhead (Morgan County)
The Buckhead Town Hall and Jail in Morgan County is a c. 1910 one-story brick building that originally served as the town of Buckhead’s jail before later being repurposed as a town hall. The building faces a severe threat of collapse due to prolonged neglect and lack of maintenance. Despite a new roof and assistance from students at UGA, there is still much to be done.

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ATLANTA, Nov. 19—The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation has released a video series on ‘Preserving Georgia’s African American Resources’. Featuring previously recorded virtual workshops, the new resource compiles these helpful videos into one online library, offering a rich collection of knowledge and insight for the public to explore. 

In these videos, viewers hear directly from experts and community advocates as they discuss the critical issues and strategies for preserving Georgia’s historic African American resources. With sessions on topics such as technical preservation assistance, fundraising strategies, and advocacy tools, these workshop recordings offer valuable guidance for anyone passionate about historic preservation. 

What’s in the videos:

• Strategies for restoring and preserving historic African American resources
• Case studies from advocates directly involved with African American sites
• Expert-led discussions on overcoming challenges unique to these sites
• Fundraising tips and planning advice for successful preservation projects
• A look at current issues affecting historic African American resources in Georgia

Topics include:

• Preserving African American Cemeteries and Burial Grounds
• Preserving Black Musical Heritage
• Grant opportunities and grant writing tips
• Establishing and managing a non-profit organization
• Understanding the National Register of Historic Places
• The challenges and opportunities of ownership and stewardship 

Explore the videos!
Visit the video series page at www.georgiatrust.org/videoseries to start learning today!

About the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation
Founded in 1973, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation works for the preservation and revitalization of Georgia’s diverse historic resources and advocates their appreciation, protection and use.
 
As one of the country’s leading statewide, nonprofit preservation organizations, the Trust generates community revitalization by finding buyers for endangered properties acquired by its Revolving Fund and raises awareness of other endangered historic resources through an annual listing of Georgia’s “Places in Peril.” The Trust honors preservation projects and individuals with its annual Preservation Awards and recognizes students and professionals with the Neel Reid Prize and Liz Lyon Fellowship. The Trust offers a variety of educational programs for adults and children, provides technical assistance to property owners and historic communities, advocates for funding, tax incentives and other laws aiding preservation efforts, and manages two house museums in Atlanta (Rhodes Hall) and Macon (Hay House). To learn more, visit www.georgiatrust.org.
 

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ATLANTA, Nov. 6—The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation is now accepting bids for the exterior stabilization and rehabilitation of the Eleanor Roosevelt School in Warm Springs, Ga. Qualified Construction Management professionals are encouraged to review project requirements and submit bids by December 11, 2024, 5 PM.

View Bid Package

This project will be contracted and managed by The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, a 501(c)3 non-profit based in Atlanta, GA. The Trust is a statewide organization that works for the preservation and revitalization of Georgia’s diverse historic resources and advocates their appreciation, protection and use. As part of this work, the Trust applied for and received a grant from the National Park Service African American Civil Rights program for the exterior stabilization and rehabilitation of the Eleanor Roosevelt School in Warm Springs, Ga.

The Eleanor Roosevelt School was constructed in 1936 at the personal request of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It is the last school constructed with money from the Julius Rosenwald Fund, despite the fund officially closing operations four years prior. The Eleanor Roosevelt School is individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It is similar in design to the “Five Teacher Community School Plan” as featured in Community School Plans, published by the Rosenwald Fund’s Nashville Office, featuring a red brick exterior and Colonial Revival design elements. An Equalization-era cafeteria building is also located on the property. This project, made possible by a grant from the National Park Service’s African American Civil Rights (AACR) program, is a first step towards the comprehensive restoration of the site for heritage tourism, vocational training, and community events.

Project Overview
The goal of this project is to complete an exterior stabilization and rehabilitation of the 1936 masonry building including, but not limited to, replacement of the existing shingle roof, demolition of masonry infill at the windows, installation of appropriate replacement windows and sills, and rehabilitation of exterior trim work. If the budget allows, improved mothballing of the cafeteria building may also be included.

The Trust has partnered with Barbara Kovacks Black, Architect, to complete detailed construction drawings, which are available in the bid package.

Submission Process
Based upon the Federal Funds Procurement Policy adopted by the Board of Trustees of The Georgia Trust, a sealed bid process will be followed for the selection of a qualified Contractor for the below project. All Contractors intending to submit a bid must contact the Trust to express their intent to bid. At that point a protected Dropbox file will be created for each individual contractor. Trust preservation staff will not have access to the Dropbox file until the date and time that bids are unsealed.

For access to the complete bid package click here.

For Additional Information
Questions or concerns should be directed to Ben Sutton, Director of Preservation of The Georgia Trust, using the following contact information:
Email: bsutton@georgiatrust.org
Phone: (404) 885 7817

About the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation
Founded in 1973, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation works for the preservation and revitalization of Georgia’s diverse historic resources and advocates their appreciation, protection and use.
 
As one of the country’s leading statewide, nonprofit preservation organizations, the Trust generates community revitalization by finding buyers for endangered properties acquired by its Revolving Fund and raises awareness of other endangered historic resources through an annual listing of Georgia’s “Places in Peril.” The Trust honors preservation projects and individuals with its annual Preservation Awards and recognizes students and professionals with the Neel Reid Prize and Liz Lyon Fellowship. The Trust offers a variety of educational programs for adults and children, provides technical assistance to property owners and historic communities, advocates for funding, tax incentives and other laws aiding preservation efforts, and manages two house museums in Atlanta (Rhodes Hall) and Macon (Hay House). To learn more, visit www.georgiatrust.org.

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City intends to condemn Gwinnett County’s first library building days after it was announced that it was donated to the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation

ATLANTA, Aug. 21, 2024 — The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation has been notified that the City of Norcross intends to condemn and take by eminent domain the historic Norcross Woman’s Club Old Library Building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The news comes only days after the Georgia Trust announced that Gwinnett County’s first library building had been donated to its Revolving Fund program, which works to save architecturally and historically significant properties by finding buyers who agree to rehabilitate and maintain the structures.

The Georgia Trust has worked to bring attention and protection to the Norcross Woman’s Club Old Library since it was included on the Trust’s 2016 “Places in Peril” list of endangered historic properties. In 2023, the Club approached the Trust to find a way to ensure that the property was protected from demolition and given a new lease on life that would allow the landmark to stand for another 100 years. The Georgia Trust and the Woman’s Club met with City of Norcross officials several times since 2023, offering them an opportunity to purchase the property at well below fair market value, with the condition of placing a preservation easement on it to ensure its protection. The easement would not have prevented necessary alterations for modern public use, including adding restrooms or ADA access, which was communicated to the City.

“The Georgia Trust was extremely disappointed to learn that the City of Norcross intends to take the Norcross Woman’s Club Old Library by eminent domain,” said Georgia Trust President and CEO W. Wright Mitchell. “The Georgia Trust worked for many months to attempt to sell the property to the City subject to a preservation easement being placed on the building. However, the City failed to identify a public use for the building, failed to timely submit plans outlining their vision for the building, and refused to commit to protecting it with a preservation easement. It was only after the Georgia Trust was forced to look to other buyers who were willing to legally protect the property with a preservation easement that the City of Norcross initiated condemnation proceedings. To be clear, if the City is allowed to take the property by eminent domain, there will be no protections and no restrictions preventing Gwinnett County’s first library building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, from being demolished.”

The City’s current position belies the fact that there has been a 12-month window of opportunity to work in good faith to come to an agreement with the Georgia Trust and take ownership of the property with reasonable restrictions in place, as was the desire of the Norcross Woman’s Club – which owned the building since its construction in 1921. That the City is attempting to do so now, through eminent domain, makes clear that their primary objective is not to protect a local landmark, but rather to gain control of a property with no restrictions in place. It is unfortunate that the City has put itself in a position in which a straightforward opportunity to take responsible ownership of the Old Library was lost, only to choose a more contentious path that will prove significantly more costly to the City’s taxpayers.

For additional information on the Georgia Trust’s involvement and outline of relevant events, see the Georgia Trust’s full statement below.

Georgia Trust’s Statement on the Norcross Woman’s Club Old Library Building
The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation works for the preservation and revitalization of Georgia’s diverse historic resources and advocates for their appreciation, protection and use. The Georgia Trust has worked with the Norcross Woman’s Club toward the preservation of their historic Old Library Building since the Club nominated the property to the Trust’s 2016 “Places in Peril” list of endangered sites. The Trust assisted the club in identifying potential funding sources and contractors to make repairs to the property.

In May of 2023, the Norcross Woman’s Club approached the Georgia Trust to assist in selling the property with legal preservation protections in place. The Trust has a longstanding program for exactly this purpose, its Revolving Fund, helping protect over 80 architecturally and historically significant buildings across the state. The Club’s rationale for working with the Trust was clear: 1) transfer the property to another long-term owner committed to its preservation, and 2) ensure legal protections to prevent inappropriate alterations or demolitions. A historic preservation easement is a legal mechanism that provides specific protection to individual properties. Every property sold through the Georgia Trust’s Revolving Fund is protected by an easement.

It is important to understand a few facts about historic preservation as it relates to the City of Norcross:

• The Old Library Building is a contributing property to the Norcross Historic District which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
• National Register listing does not provide any protection for buildings – including buildings owned by private residents or municipalities.
• The Old Library Building was at one time protected by a local ordinance that established a local historic district. The City of Norcross repealed its historic preservation ordinance, thereby removing any protections for the Old Library Building.
• The current ordinance only applies to the commercial district. While a provision of the existing ordinance allows for the protection of individual properties, there has been no effort by the City of Norcross to legally protect the Old Library.

Recognizing the significance of the Old Library to the City as a community landmark, the Georgia Trust and the Norcross Woman’s Club approached the City directly in July 2023, offering a sale of the building to the City contingent upon a preservation easement. Mayor Craig Newton, Club President Anne Webb and Georgia Trust Director of Preservation Ben Sutton met at City Hall on July 27, 2023. The desire to find an outcome that protected the building and allowed the property to remain a public asset was the primary goal of that meeting. The Georgia Trust, having the property under contract, committed to not publicly listing the property for sale to provide the City of Norcross the uncontested opportunity to develop plans for a community use. The Norcross Woman’s Club and Georgia Trust were open to selling the property to the City significantly below what was determined to be fair market value.

At the request of the attorney for the City of Norcross, a meeting was held at the property on September 19, 2023. In attendance was Mayor Newton, two attorneys for the City, a member of Council, and staff from the Georgia Trust. Mayor Newton specifically inquired about the ability to subdivide the property, which could not be allowed under a preservation easement. At that meeting, the Trust again reiterated our position that an easement to protect the property was a necessary condition of any sale, however, the City could present its plans for proposed alterations prior to any formal agreement. Immediately following the meeting, the Trust provided the City’s

attorneys with a list of preservation architects and consultants, as well as formal guidance from the National Park Service for new exterior additions to historic buildings (NPS Preservation Brief #14). The Trust also provided the City with a digital scan of the property.

Despite these efforts, the City of Norcross did not engage further in any discussions with the Georgia Trust about proposed uses or alterations. Even with the property being subject to a legally binding contract between the Georgia Trust and the Norcross Woman’s Club, Mayor Newton made more than one effort to engage the Club directly to find a path forward that did not include the protections ensured by the Trust’s standard easement.

Given the lack of progress, in January 2024, the Norcross Woman’s Club determined that the best course of action for their efforts was to donate the property directly to the Georgia Trust, with the clear understanding that the property would be sold through the Trust’s Revolving Fund.

Discussion with the City Planner, both in 2023 and 2024, indicated that the property would be required to meet its current R-100 zoning requirements and that it was “highly unlikely” the subject parcel could be rezoned or allowed an exception to current zoning requirements. R-100 is a primarily residential area with limited other uses. Any grandfathered zoning protections assumed by the Norcross Woman’s Club’s ownership of the property went away when the property was deeded to the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation.

Given these realities, the Trust engaged a private buyer willing to work within the legal protections of a preservation easement to convert the property to a single-family residence. While this was not the Trust’s initial hope for the property, it is well within the bounds of historic preservation best practices and would provide the City of Norcross with another property on its tax rolls.

Even still, as the Trust reviewed proposals for the property, the City of Norcross was provided another opportunity in June 2024 to submit a plan for proposed alterations and intended use, and commit to comply with the terms of a preservation easement. Mayor Newton provided a handful of alterations, but did not clearly define a long-term use, nor did he agree to abide by an easement. At that time, the Trust made it clear that it was moving forward with another buyer.

History of the building
Located in downtown Norcross, the Norcross Woman’s Club building is a Carnegie-style Greek Revival structure constructed in 1921 by the Woman’s Club as the first library in Gwinnett County. The Norcross Woman’s Club was founded in 1905 by civic-minded women involved with the National Library Movement. In 1907, the women approached various businessmen and philanthropists, including Andrew Carnegie, for donations to support the construction of a library building. The Club had a set of architectural plans drawn by Oliver Duke Wheeler of Charlotte, N.C., and approved by Carnegie, to fit the lot offered by the city in Dodsen (now Thrasher) Park. Carnegie approved a $5,000 grant, but the city found stipulations requiring their support too onerous.

By 1921, with help from Wall Street businessman and Norcross favorite-son Edward Buchanan, the women had raised enough funds to construct the first library in Gwinnett County. After growing to 24,000 books in circulation and 1,400 registered members by 1966, the library was relocated to a new building and the original building became the permanent home of the Norcross Woman’s Club.

The donated property includes a one-story building with a partially exposed basement. Although the building was not funded by the Andrew Carnegie Library funding program, preservation architects confirm the Norcross Woman’s Club old library building has all the characteristics of a Type-B Carnegie Library Plan. Distinct characteristics of Carnegie libraries include an entry staircase designed to symbolize one’s elevation to learning, 12 to 15-foot ceilings, and windows six to seven feet off the floor. The Norcross Woman’s Club building contains all these elements, as well as the original shelving and librarian’s desk. Of the approximately 24 public and five academic library plans initially approved in Georgia by the Carnegie Corporation of New York from 1898 to 1914, only one is located in Gwinnett County. Overall, the building is in relatively good condition but will need rehabilitation to the exterior and interior, including the replacement of the roof.

About the Georgia Trust’s Revolving Fund Program
The Georgia Trust’s Revolving Fund Program was established in 1990 to provide effective alternatives to demolition or neglect of architecturally and historically significant properties by promoting their rehabilitation and enabling owners of endangered historic properties to connect with buyers who will rehabilitate their properties.

The Georgia Trust accomplishes this goal by either accepting property donations or by purchasing options on endangered historic properties. The properties are then marketed nationally to locate buyers who agree to preserve and maintain the structures. Protective covenants are attached to the deeds to ensure that the historic integrity of each property is retained, and purchasers are required to sign rehabilitation agreements based on the work to be performed on the structure.

About the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation
Founded in 1973, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation works for the preservation and revitalization of Georgia’s diverse historic resources and advocates their appreciation, protection and use.

As one of the country’s leading statewide, nonprofit preservation organizations, the Trust generates community revitalization by finding buyers for endangered properties acquired by its Revolving Fund and raises awareness of other endangered historic resources through an annual listing of Georgia’s “Places in Peril.” The Trust honors preservation projects and individuals with its annual Preservation Awards and recognizes students and professionals with the Neel Reid Prize and Liz Lyon Fellowship. The Trust offers a variety of educational programs for adults and children, provides technical assistance to property owners and historic communities, advocates for funding, tax incentives and other laws aiding preservation efforts, and manages two house museums in Atlanta (Rhodes Hall) and Macon (Hay House). To learn more, visit www.georgiatrust.org.

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Historic landmark was listed on the Georgia Trust’s Places in Peril in 2019

ATLANTA, June 27, 2024—The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation has learned that the historic Huston House at Butler Plantation in Darien, Ga. was destroyed by fire last night. The historic house was listed on the Trust’s Places in Peril in 2019.

“The Georgia Trust is saddened to learn about the loss of the Huston House on Butler Island,” said Georgia Trust President and CEO W. Wright Mitchell. “Despite the site’s association with a difficult period in the history of our state, the property is nonetheless an important historic resource that allows us to tell Georgia’s full and complete story. Unfortunately, when historic buildings are allowed to sit vacant and neglected for long periods of time, fire is not uncommon.”

The historic property had been identified by a diverse group of local advocates, as well as the Georgia Trust, as a site that required intervention to ensure its preservation. It is regrettable that nothing was done to prevent what was a foreseeable outcome for an abandoned historic structure. The Huston House was unoccupied with no long-term plan for use or maintenance.

History
Butler Island, originally a rice plantation dating to the late 1700s, is associated with the Weeping Time, the largest auction of enslaved people in U.S. history. More than 400 enslaved people at Butler Plantation were sold on a racetrack in Savannah during a rain storm in 1859 to pay off slave owner Pierce Mease Butler’s gambling debts.

The property was converted to a dairy and lettuce farm by Col. Huston in the 20th century. The Huston House was constructed in 1927 by Colonel T.L. Huston, a former co-owner of the New York Yankees. After his death in 1938, the property was purchased by tobacco heir R. J. Reynolds, Jr.

The site is currently owned by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

About the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation
Founded in 1973, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation works for the preservation and revitalization of Georgia’s diverse historic resources and advocates their appreciation, protection and use. 

As one of the country’s leading statewide, nonprofit preservation organizations, the Trust generates community revitalization by finding buyers for endangered properties acquired by its Revolving Fund and raises awareness of other endangered historic resources through an annual listing of Georgia’s “Places in Peril.” The Trust recognizes preservation projects and individuals with its annual Preservation Awards and oversees the Neel Reid Prize and Liz Lyon Fellowship. The Trust offers a variety of educational programs for adults and children, provides technical assistance to property owners and historic communities, advocates for funding, tax incentives and other laws aiding preservation efforts, and manages two house museums in Atlanta (Rhodes Hall) and Macon (Hay House). To learn more, visit georgiatrust.org.
 

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Images of the house in 2018 are available for download HERE. Please credit Halston Pitman/Nick Woolever/MotorSportMedia.

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Nominations for the Places in Peril list are now being accepted

The Cherry Grove Schoolhouse in Washington, Ga. was listed as a Place in Peril in 2021 before being rehabilitated, earning a Preservation Award in 2023. 

ATLANTA, Jun. 20 — After 20 remarkable years of Places in Peril, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation is thrilled to announce that this signature program is evolving! The Georgia Trust is currently seeking nominations for the Places in Peril list with an improved nomination process.

W. Wright Mitchell, president and CEO of the Georgia Trust said, “As advocates for Georgia’s rich built and cultural heritage, we’re constantly evolving to better serve our communities. These changes reflect our commitment to accessibility, inclusivity, and adaptability as we continue our mission to preserve and protect Georgia’s diverse historic resources. Together, we can recognize and bring attention to the important historic places that matter to all of us.”

Changes to the program will include:

• New Timeline: Breaking from past announcements in November, the 2025 Places in Peril list will be revealed in February, kicking off the year with renewed focus and energy.
• Simplified Nomination Process: Now, anyone can easily nominate a site that holds significance to them and their community through a simple online nomination form.
• Rolling Nominations: The Trust is introducing rolling nominations, allowing submissions throughout the year. To be considered for the following year’s list, nominations must be made by September 1st.

Nominations for the 2025 list are now being accepted through September 1, 2024. The new online nomination form can be found on the Georgia Trust’s website at www.georgiatrust.org.

About the Places in Peril program
The Georgia Trust’s Places in Peril program identifies historic sites threatened by demolition, neglect, lack of maintenance, inappropriate development or insensitive public policy. The list raises awareness about Georgia’s significant historic, archaeological and cultural resources, including buildings, structures, districts, archaeological sites and cultural landscapes.

About the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation
Founded in 1973, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation works for the preservation and revitalization of Georgia’s diverse historic resources and advocates their appreciation, protection and use.

As one of the country’s leading statewide, nonprofit preservation organizations, the Trust generates community revitalization by finding buyers for endangered properties acquired by its Revolving Fund and raises awareness of other endangered historic resources through an annual listing of Georgia’s “Places in Peril.” The Trust honors preservation projects and individuals with its annual Preservation Awards and recognizes students and young professionals with the Neel Reid Prize and Liz Lyon Fellowship. The Trust offers a variety of educational programs for adults and children, provides technical assistance to property owners and historic communities, advocates for funding, tax incentives and other laws aiding preservation efforts, and manages two house museums in Atlanta (Rhodes Hall) and Macon (Hay House). To learn more, visit www.georgiatrust.org.

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Prominent figures from across the state commit to excellence in preservation

ATLANTA, June 18—Nine new members were elected to three-year terms on the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation Board of Trustees. The new trustees are Leigh Burns (Atlanta), Les Callahan (Atlanta), Elaine Cook (Athens), David Freedman (Marietta), Jeff Hopper (Norcross), Erik LaVelle (Atlanta), Joe Smith (Madison/Athens), Todd Strickland (Atlanta) and Bobby West (Atlanta). Nick Bush (Macon) is the chairperson of Hay House and will serve as an ex-officio member of the board.

Leigh Burns of Atlanta is the director of community partnerships at the Fox Theatre. Burns oversees all grant programs, education, membership, statewide theater presenting and preservation partnerships. In addition to these programs, she assists in supporting the ongoing preservation of the 1929 National Historic Landmark theater in the heart of midtown Atlanta. She previously held positions with the Georgia Main Street Program and the Georgia Historic Preservation Division and is a longtime volunteer of the Georgia Trust.

Les Callahan of Atlanta is the president of First Colony Financial Corporation, a commercial real estate company. Involved with the Georgia Trust since 2009, Callahan is a Georgia Trust Emeritus Trustee and has served on the Executive Committee as well as the Finance, Endangered Properties, Rhodes Hall Capital Campaign, Places in Peril and Gala Fundraising Committees. Callahan’s challenge gift to Rhodes Hall’s “green rehabilitation” helped to ignite the Rhodes Hall Capital Campaign. He and his wife, Barbara, fund the Callahan Incentive Grant which has supported 14 preservation projects since 2017.

Elaine Cook of Athens has worked for Piedmont Athens Regional/Athens Regional Health System for 25 years. Cook was recently promoted to director of the Piedmont Athens Regional Foundation and the major gifts officer. Prior to this position, Cook served as director of community health and relations for the Northeast Georgia region of Piedmont Athens Regional. She has won multiple awards in recognition of her community leadership and mentoring of women.

David Freedman of Marietta is the principal of Freedman Engineering Group, an engineering firm specializing in outdoor recreation, historic preservation and projects that enhance the environment. His most notable projects include the restoration of the hydrotherapy pools and springs at Roosevelt’s Little White House, the Sapelo Island Lighthouse, the main house at Hardman Farm, one of the first restoration projects to achieve LEED certification, and the award-winning restoration of the Stone Tower at Fort Mountain State Park.

Jeff Hopper of Norcross is the president at LDI Reproprinting which specializes in large format architectural and construction printing. Hopper is very involved in the Norcross community and was chairman of the city’s architectural review board for more than 10 years, a former president of the Norcross Homeowners Association, and president of the Norcross Business Association in 2004 and 2005. He and his wife have restored a 1906 Queen Anne style home in Norcross and have been avid Georgia Trust ‘Ramblers’ for many years.

Erik LaValle of Atlanta is a senior director in the corporate performance improvement practice with Alvarez & Marsal. Prior to A&M, LaVelle led Product & Technology for the supply chain function at T-Mobile. He and his husband are very involved in the Atlanta community and their neighborhood of Ansley Park. They have meticulously renovated one of the oldest homes in Ansley Park, a 1905 Italian Renaissance Revival style home and graciously open it for nonprofit fundraisers, including the Georgia Trust’s Spring Ramble Preview Party.

Joe Smith of Madison and Athens is a principal of Architectural Collaborative in Athens and has participated in the rehabilitation of more than 100 historic structures in the state. His firm’s rehabilitation and restoration work has won several Georgia Trust preservation awards as well as recognition from AIA Atlanta and AIA Georgia. Smith teaches American architectural history and historic materials conservation to preservation graduate students, first at Georgia State University and currently at the University of Georgia. He recently authored the antebellum chapter for the Georgia Trust’s publication “Architecture of the Last Colony.”

Todd Strickland of Atlanta is a managing principal with Historical Concepts, a traditional architecture and planning firm in New York and Atlanta. Under his leadership, the firm has grown from a 3-person team to more than 55 architects, many of whom have been honored with the Georgia Trust’s Neel Reid Prize. Todd serves on the Peachtree City and Fayette County Development Authorities and is one of the founding members of the southeast chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Arts where he helped to create the notable Shutze Awards program.

Bobby West of Atlanta is the managing partner of TriBridge Residential, LLC, a multifamily housing development company with properties throughout the southeast. In addition to modern buildings, the company has repurposed and manages several historic industrial sites including the Porterdale Mill Lofts, the Fulton Cotton Mill Lofts in Atlanta and the Brumby Lofts in Marietta. Bobby oversees the operating companies and divisions of TriBridge, including development, construction and management and is on the board of the Georgia and Atlanta Apartment Associations.

Nick Bush of Macon is the chairperson of Hay House and will serve as an ex-officio member of the board. Bush is an executive sales representative for the Houston office of The Hartford. He and his wife, Jeana, have lived in Macon for nine years, and they have two daughters.

About The Georgia Trust
Founded in 1973, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation is one of the country’s leading statewide, nonprofit preservation organizations. The Trust works for the preservation and revitalization of Georgia’s diverse historic resources and advocates their appreciation, protection and use.

The Georgia Trust generates community revitalization by finding buyers for endangered properties acquired by its Revolving Fund and raises awareness of other endangered historic resources through an annual listing of Georgia’s “Places in Peril.” The Trust honors preservation projects and individuals with its annual Preservation Awards and recognizes students and professionals with the Neel Reid Prize and Liz Lyon Fellowship. The Trust offers a variety of educational programs for adults and children, provides technical assistance to property owners and historic communities, advocates for funding, tax incentives and other laws aiding preservation efforts, and manages two house museums in Atlanta (Rhodes Hall) and Macon (Hay House). To learn more, visit www.georgiatrust.org.

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ATLANTA, April 20, 2024— The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation presented 26 awards recognizing the best of preservation in Georgia during its 47th annual Preservation Awards ceremony in Athens, Ga.

Security Federal Bank in Augusta received the Marguerite Williams Award for Excellence in Rehabilitation, presented annually to the project that has had the greatest impact on preservation in the state. The historic bank building was recognized for undergoing a sensitive rehabilitation of what was originally constructed in 1924 as the uptown branch of the Old Georgia Railroad Bank. Utilizing tax credits, this rehabilitation converted the historic structure back to its original use, providing the city with a business that strengthens the downtown economy while serving as a physical reminder of its economic resilience.

Madison City Hall in Madison received the Michael L. Starr Award, presented to a project that best exemplifies the highest standards of historic rehabilitation and has a significant impact on the downtown of the city in which it is located.

The Fox Theatre Institute in Atlanta received the inaugural Mark C. McDonald Award, which recognizes an outstanding organization that has demonstrated sustained commitment to historic preservation and has had a positive impact on preservation in their local community.

The historic Lowndes County Courthouse in Valdosta received the Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Rehabilitation, presented by the chairman of the Georgia Trust to a person or project of great preservation significance.

The Trust presented the Mary Gregory Jewett Award for Lifetime Preservation Service to Mary Beth Reed of New South Associates for her lifelong career in preservation. The Camille W. Yow Volunteer of the Year Award was given to Alan Kachur of Woodstock.

The Trust also presented one award for Excellence in Preservation Service, two awards for Excellence in Restoration, two awards for Excellence in Stewardship, and fifteen awards for Excellence in Rehabilitation.

The Georgia Department of Transportation’s “Statewide Cemetery Context,” a context and handbook for the identification and evaluation of Georgia’s historic burial grounds, received an award for Excellence in Preservation Service, which recognizes persons, groups, businesses and/or government entities that demonstrate exemplary activities and promotion of awareness in the field of historic preservation.

Excellence in Restoration winners were the Visitors Club in Brunswick and the Cuthbert Water Tower in Cuthbert.

Excellence in Stewardship winners were the Roswell Historical Society, along with Brandy and Jared Kirschner, for stewardship of the Hembree Farmhouse in Roswell. The other Stewardship Award went to the Coastal Georgia Historical Society for their stewardship of several historic collections and structures on St. Simons Island, including the Lighthouse, Keeper’s Dwelling and the historic Coast Guard Station.

Excellence in Rehabilitation winners were: Adairsville Church on the Square, Adairsville; Augusta Warehouse & Compress Co., Augusta; Force-Jackson House, Augusta; Foster-Thomason-Miller-Minnix House, Madison; Historic Oakland Cemetery Bell Tower, Atlanta; Jones Mercantile Building, Canton; McKey Building, Valdosta; Perkins-Cullum House, Augusta; Prontaut-Henry House, Augusta; Queen and Grant, Brunswick; Rudy York House, Cartersville; Sycamore Building and the Chapel on Sycamore, Decatur; Thomson Fire Hall, Thomson; Wheat Street Christian Education Building, Atlanta; and Whitfield House, Savannah.

“This year’s winners represent a tremendous dedication to restoring and revitalizing Georgia’s historic buildings and communities,” said W. Wright Mitchell, president and CEO of the Georgia Trust. “We are proud to honor such deserving projects and individuals.”

For over 45 years, the Trust has recognized preservation projects and individuals throughout Georgia who have made significant contributions to the field of historic preservation. Awards are presented on the basis of the contributions of the person or project to the community and/or state and on compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

Founded in 1973, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation is one of the country’s leading statewide, nonprofit preservation organizations. The Trust works for the preservation and revitalization of Georgia’s diverse historic resources and advocates their appreciation, protection and use.

The Georgia Trust generates community revitalization by finding buyers for endangered properties acquired by its Revolving Fund and raises awareness of other endangered historic resources through an annual listing of Georgia’s “Places in Peril.” The Trust recognizes preservation projects and individuals with its annual Preservation Awards and honors students and young professionals with the Neel Reid Prize and Liz Lyon Fellowship. The Trust offers a variety of educational programs for adults and children, provides technical assistance to property owners and historic communities, advocates for funding, tax incentives and other laws aiding preservation efforts, and manages two house museums in Atlanta (Rhodes Hall) and Macon (Hay House).

To learn more about the Georgia Trust and the Preservation Awards, visit www.georgiatrust.org.

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EDITOR’S NOTE:  More details about each award winner, including hi-res images, can be found at https://www.georgiatrust.org/our-programs/preservation-awards/#awards. Hi-res images of the recipients at the awards ceremony will be available April 22.

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ATLANTA, Nov. 15, 2023 — The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation released today its 2024 list of 10 Places in Peril in the state.

Sites on the list include: Atlanta Constitution Building in Atlanta (Fulton County); Broad Avenue Elementary in Albany (Dougherty County); Cedar Grove in Martinez (Columbia County); Church of the Good Shepherd in Thomasville (Thomas County); Grace Baptist Church in Darien (McIntosh County); Hogg Hummock on Sapelo Island (McIntosh County); Old First Baptist Church in Augusta (Richmond County); Pine Log Mountain (Bartow County); Piney Grove Cemetery in Atlanta (Fulton County); and Sugar Valley Consolidated School in Sugar Valley (Gordon County).

“This is the Trust’s nineteenth annual Places in Peril list,” said W. Wright Mitchell, president and CEO of the Trust. “We hope the list will continue to bring preservation solutions to Georgia’s imperiled historic resources by highlighting ten representative sites.”

Places in Peril is designed to raise awareness about Georgia’s significant historic, archaeological and cultural resources, including buildings, structures, districts, archaeological sites and cultural landscapes that are threatened by demolition, neglect, lack of maintenance, inappropriate development or insensitive public policy.

Through Places in Peril, the Trust will encourage owners and individuals, organizations and communities to employ proven preservation tools, financial resources and partnerships in order to reuse, reinvest and revitalize historic properties that are in peril.

Sites on previous years’ lists include the Eleanor Roosevelt School in Warm Springs, the country’s last constructed Rosenwald School, which received a $700K restoration grant from the National Park Service; Cherry Grove Schoolhouse in Washington, a rare surviving example of an early 20th century rural African American school building in Georgia, was completely restored and received the Trust’s highest preservation award; the Adam-Strain Building in Darien, a rare example of historic tabby construction that was slated for demolition in 2008, is undergoing its second phase of restoration; the Kit Jones, a nearly 100-year-old ship, has been restored and will become the new centerpiece for a park in Darien; and the Milton Historical Society and Chadwick family owners have cleared out the interior of the McConnell-Chadwick House, one of the earliest structures in Cherokee County, with plans to install a new metal roof to stabilize the building—the City of Milton has approved a Letter of Intent to accept a donation of the property to preserve it.

Founded in 1973, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation works for the preservation and revitalization of Georgia’s diverse historic resources and advocates their appreciation, protection and use. As one of the country’s leading statewide, nonprofit preservation organizations, the Trust generates community revitalization by finding buyers for endangered properties acquired by its Revolving Fund and raises awareness of other endangered historic resources through an annual listing of Georgia’s “Places in Peril.” The Trust offers a variety of educational programs for adults and children, provides technical assistance to property owners and historic communities, advocates for funding, tax incentives and other laws aiding preservation efforts, and manages two house museums in Atlanta (Rhodes Hall) and Macon (Hay House).

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Editor’s Note: Summary information on each 2024 Place in Peril follows. For additional background material and more information on each site, please go to www.georgiatrust.org/our-programs/places-in-peril/.

Hi-res images can be downloaded here: https://bit.ly/2024placesinperil.

President and CEO W. Wright Mitchell is available for in-person and telephone interviews. Email trothwell@georgiatrust.org or call 404-885-7802.

The Trust will premiere its 2024 list of the 10 Places in Peril in Georgia at a reception on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023 at Rhodes Hall, 1516 Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta. The evening’s activities, which begin at 6:30 p.m., will include remarks by W. Wright Mitchell, president and CEO of the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation.

Summary Information on each Places in Peril Site

Atlanta Constitution Building, Atlanta (Fulton County)
Known as “The Heart of Atlanta” because of its proximity to downtown Atlanta’s historic railroad junction, the Atlanta Constitution Building has been home to two iconic Georgia institutions. Constructed in 1947, the Atlanta Constitution Building is a rare Georgia example of Art Moderne architecture that was home to the Atlanta Constitution newspaper during Ralph McGill’s term as editor. When the Atlanta Journal and Constitution consolidated and moved out of the building in 1955, Georgia Power occupied the building until 1972. It has been vacant ever since.

The building has withstood previous proposals for demolition, while recent efforts toward redevelopment have yet to materialize. A landmark in Atlanta, now is the time for the Constitution Building to serve as the heart of a downtown revitalization.

Broad Avenue Elementary, Albany (Dougherty County)
Broad Avenue Elementary was built in the 1930s. Dougherty County Schools obtained ownership of the building in 1963, and the school served the community until the property was sold in 2005.

A contributing structure in the local historic district, Broad Avenue Elementary is under threat of condemnation and demolition due to its deteriorated condition. A local non-profit, SOWEGA Rising, took ownership of the building in 2019 and continues to work toward the goal of rehabilitating the property as a Rural Innovation center that will provide opportunities for students and entrepreneurs in the region. Significant fundraising is required to bring this vision to reality while preserving and revitalizing this historic structure.

Cedar Grove, Martinez (Columbia County)
Named after the cedar trees planted in the front of the home, Cedar Grove was built in 1851 in the Italianate style. Following the end of the Civil War, the house was owned by several prominent residents of Columbia County. In 1964, Our Savior Episcopal Church bought the property, converting part of the house into a sanctuary and hosting community meetings and events. From 1970 to 1980, the house functioned as Cedar Grove Kindergarten which served as the first integrated kindergarten program in Columbia County.  

Over the decades, the congregation has made use of the property as it best fits the needs of its mission. The recent discovery of mold, along with the ongoing costs of maintenance, threaten the continued use of the building, as the needs and capacity of the congregation have changed. Advocates hope that raising awareness will help identify a thoughtful approach to its preservation.

Church of the Good Shepherd, Thomasville (Thomas County)
Constructed in 1894, the Church of the Good Shepherd in Thomasville is an example of an enduring commitment to African American religious expression, education and social enrichment in the South. The site includes both a classroom and library that functioned from 1896 to 1964 and was also the site of Thomasville’s first African American Boy Scout troop. Today, the Church provides vital social services by maintaining a food pantry, soup kitchen and community garden.

Neighborhood disinvestment and demographic shifts have left the Church of the Good Shepherd without its large congregation to support the upkeep of the church and its valued social services. Major repairs on the site have been deferred, and the historic buildings have begun to deteriorate, leaving all three buildings in peril. A commitment to preservation is required of the broader community to assist the Church in its effort to maintain its buildings and its history of service.

Grace Baptist Church, Darien (McIntosh County)
Grace Baptist Church is located on Vernon Square, one of the four original squares in Darien, laid out according to the Oglethorpe plan. During Reconstruction, the church’s location on Adams Street was home to African American professionals, and many formerly enslaved, first-time homeowners. Grace Baptist Church was a significant institution within the community in which several successful African American leaders were associated. The head of the church, Reverend Edward Brawley, assisted in ending the 1899 Darien Insurrection by brokering peace among Black residents. One of the founding trustees of the church, W.H. Rogers, was elected as a Georgia state legislator, serving from 1902-1907.

The congregation disbanded in the 1990s, and the building fell into disrepair. In April 2022, an oak tree fell on the building, heavily damaging the roof and structure. In May 2023, the City of Darien issued a citation that may lead to demolition of the property. Local advocates and remaining trustees of the church hope to identify funding and a potential reuse that will allow the structure to be saved.

Hogg Hummock, Sapelo Island (McIntosh County)
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1996, the Hogg Hummock community on Sapelo Island faces a renewed threat to its historically significant design and cultural heritage. Home to one of the last remaining Gullah Geechee communities in the United States, Hogg Hummock was established by direct descendants of West Africans who were enslaved on the plantations of coastal Georgia. Following the Civil War, these formerly enslaved peoples settled on Sapelo Island and purchased over 400 acres of land. As with other Gullah Geechee communities, Hogg Hummock developed a distinct, interconnected culture of subsistence and cooperative living, due in part to the relative isolation from communities on the mainland.

Now, like many areas in the Gullah Geechee corridor, Hogg Hummock faces persistent pressures that threaten the historic fabric of their community. As recognized by existing zoning regulations, Hogg Hummock has unique needs in regard to its historic resources, traditional patterns of development and threat from land speculators and housing forms. In spite of this language, recent rezoning will allow homes to be constructed that double the size of the current limits, which can contribute to land value increases that could further force the removal of the indigenous population. This change in policy was enacted with little to no input from the public and directly conflicts with the intent of existing zoning regulations to reserve Hog Hummock for low intensity residential and cottage industry which are environmentally sound and will not contribute to land value increases.

Old First Baptist Church, Augusta (Richmond County)
Designed by Willis Denny and constructed in 1902, the historic First Baptist Church building in downtown Augusta is situated on land with a rich religious history. On the site, the Baptist Praying Society was established in 1817 and the Southern Baptist Convention was founded in 1845. Individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, the building is a significant example of Beaux Arts architecture.

The property, now privately owned, is in a state of disrepair, with particular peril for the historic sanctuary space. Local advocates continue to work with the owner to identify viable reuse opportunities, development partners and financial incentives that can be used to bring the space back to its former glory.

Pine Log Mountain (Bartow County)
Pine Log Mountain, a privately owned wilderness area in Bartow County, is the site of historic resources representing three significant phases of Georgia’s history: a Woodlands Era rock wall and more than two dozen burial cairns, all built by indigenous peoples; four 1840s-era stone iron furnaces used for mining before and after the Civil War; and the remains of the Sugar Hill Convict Labor Camp, where events that took place served as a catalyst for the Georgia Legislature ending its convict lease system in 1909. Remnants of complicated Southern history exist throughout Pine Log Mountain, and this space serves as a frame of reference for understanding Georgia’s history.

Today the historic sites that rest on Pine Log Mountain are threatened by demolition. The private property is up for sale following the end of a lease to the Department of Natural Resources. Bartow County plans to rezone much of the property from agricultural to low-density housing, high-density housing and industrial mining. Many of the historic resources have not been surveyed, and there is no preservation plan currently in place to protect these historic sites.

Piney Grove Cemetery, Atlanta (Fulton County)
Piney Grove Cemetery is an historic African American burial ground in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta. The cemetery’s founding dates to the 1800s and has over 300 burials, some of which are believed to be burials for enslaved individuals. The cemetery has unique characteristics including irregular burial patterns, a variety of hewn and native gravestones and terraced landscaping. The cemetery also contains numerous unmarked burials. Piney Grove Cemetery is one of the last vestiges of the several African American communities that once thrived in the area including Piney Grove, Lynwood Park, Bagley Park, Johnsontown and Armour.

In the early 2000s, a residential developer acquired the property and sought to remove the cemetery to develop the land. After opposition by the descendants, the land was sold to a commercial developer with conditions for access and maintenance as part of City of Atlanta zoning conditions. Ultimately, a condominium complex was built adjacent to the cemetery.

Despite zoning conditions and state law requiring the condominium homeowner’s association to allow descendants and members of the public to use and enjoy the Cemetery, in the view of the Friends of Piney Grove Cemetery, the homeowner’s association has never complied with the obligation to maintain the historic Piney Grove Cemetery, and this has resulted in the cemetery’s current dire condition. Instead, the property has become overgrown and inaccessible with damage to headstones from falling trees, vegetation and trash.

Piney Grove Cemetery is a direct link to a time in Georgia when enslaved individuals were forced to toil in fields and homes. Piney Grove Cemetery serves as an important marker for Atlanta’s history, and its preservation is essential to the city’s cultural fabric.

Sugar Valley Consolidated School, Sugar Valley (Gordon County)
Built in 1927 by architect-builder W. Laurens Hillhouse, the Sugar Valley Consolidated School operated as a public school for the children of Gordon County. Built of indigenous Knox Chert and known for its unique construction, the Sugar Valley Consolidated School became an enduring symbol of the town’s dedication to learning. The school was established by an act of the Georgia Legislature, written specifically to benefit Sugar Valley, to eliminate independent school systems. It operated for almost 50 years before closing its doors in 1974.  The property is now owned by Gordon County and has most recently operated as a community center, voting precinct and events space. There is an active alumni association, which has worked with Gordon County to make minor repairs to the school and is dedicated to its maintenance and continued use.

Deemed unsafe by the County, the Board of Commissioners has announced a plan to demolish the school to construct a fire station. Despite the alumni association’s commitment and earmarked SPLOST funds for repairs, efforts appear to be redirected to other county projects. The threat to this historic school is imminent, jeopardizing the preservation of its rich history and significance to the community.

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