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ATLANTA — 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 (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 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 in 2008 and fully rehabilitated into a brewhouse and restaurant; the historic integrity of the Calvary Episcopal Church in Amerius 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).

Information on the Gaissert Homeplace in Williamson (Spalding County)

Built in 1827 on land ceded by the Creek Nation in 1821, this historic home was constructed by Daniel Orr for his son Burrell and his wife, Betsey Hendrick. Over the years, the property changed hands several times, but it was ultimately purchased by its namesake, George Columbus Gaissert, in 1906. The two-story portico was also added around this time. The home remained in the Gaissert family for generations, continuing a tradition of farming and community service deeply rooted in the area's history.

Following the recent passing of the last family member without heirs to inherit the property, it was sold to a developer. The developer's plans to transform the site into a commercial development threaten to erase the property's historic integrity and its longstanding connection to the local community.

More information about the Gaissert Homeplace can be found in the following articles:

"The Ending of an Era - Gaissert Home Contents to Be Sold in an Estate Sale and Home to Be Sold at a Later Date" from Pike County Times (2023) - pikecountytimes.com/secondary/gaissert4.18.23.html

"Griffin Historical Society Facebook post from 2019" - Facebook Post

"2025 Places in Peril: Gaissert Homeplace" - www.georgiatrust.org/places-in-peril/gaissert-homeplace/

Information on the Remaining Places in Peril Sites

148 Edgewood Avene in Atlanta (Fulton County)

Built as a substation in 1926 by the Georgia Railway and Power Company, 148 Edgewood Ave. played a crucial role in powering downtown Atlanta. In 1966, it was acquired by Georgia State University (GSU), which repurposed the building for various uses, including as a workspace for the university’s photography department. The structure is a key part of both the local Martin Luther King, Jr. Landmark District and the national Martin Luther King, Jr. Preservation District, underscoring its historic significance.

Despite its self-evident connection to the locality, GSU has proposed demolishing the building to create a surface parking lot. The university, along with the Georgia Board of Regents, asserts sovereign immunity, exempting it from the historic preservation zoning ordinances that would typically protect the site from demolition. With a demolition permit signed by Governor Kemp, GSU continues discussions about the destruction of this contributing building in an already threatened National Register District.

Photos and information can be viewed at https://www.georgiatrust.org/places-in-peril/148-edgewood-avenue-se/

Collier-Toomer House, Savannah (Chatham County)

Built in 1938 for Dr. Nathaniel H. Collier, an esteemed African American dentist and civic leader in Savannah, and his wife, Nancy, this house served as a gathering place for social and educational events that contributed to the local community. Following their passing, the house was purchased by Janie R. Toomer, Savannah’s first African American female real estate broker, further adding to the property’s historic significance.

The house has been vacant since 2016, leading to significant deterioration from neglect. In early 2024, the property owner sought a zoning change 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. If no action is taken, the property will fall into further decline.

Photos and information can be viewed at https://www.georgiatrust.org/places-in-peril/collier-toomer-house/

Crossroads Rosenwald School, Dixie (Brooks County)

This building is one of the few remaining examples of a Rosenwald School in Georgia. These schools were established in the early 20th century to provide education to African American children in the rural South and were funded by philanthropist Julius Rosenwald and educator Booker T. Washington, often with additional contributions coming from the local community. The Crossroads School, constructed in 1927, was a two-teacher facility that served students from 1st through 8th grade, playing a vital role in the education of the local African American community during a time of segregation and limited resources.

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. The community is actively seeking ways to restore and repurpose the building, with hopes of ensuring its long-term sustainability and honoring its historic significance.

Photos and information can be viewed at https://www.georgiatrust.org/places-in-peril/crossroads-rosenwald-school/

Miami Valley Peach Packing Barn, Fort Valley (Peach County)

Constructed around 1900, this barn was originally part of the Miami Valley Fruit Farm, a thriving peach operation owned by J.E. Davidson, a senator and a key figure in establishing Georgia as the heart of “peach country.” The barn remains one of the few intact relics of the early 20th-century peach industry, offering a rare glimpse into the region's agricultural past and its pivotal role in shaping Georgia’s agricultural legacy.

The barn has not been in active use for many years and is in a state of deterioration. In addition to natural decline, a major industrial site is being developed in the surrounding area, with thousands of acres recently sold to the county for future industrial expansion. While the barn’s eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places may protect it from the current development plans, growing development pressure in the area poses an ongoing threat. Encroaching development could further isolate the barn, impact its historic setting, and create long-term preservation challenges.

Photos and information can be viewed at https://www.georgiatrust.org/places-in-peril/miami-valley-peach-packing-barn/

Historic Nicholsonboro Baptist Church, Savannah (Chatham County)

This Baptist congregation was founded on St. Catherine's Island in 1850 on the plantation of Jacob Waldburg. Within the following years, around 200 formerly enslaved individuals from the group settled in what was then known as Nicholsonville. Some members of the church purchased a parcel of land with the intent that it be designated for religious purposes. The first church was built in 1870, followed by a second in 1890. The first of the two places of worship sits as a historic reminder of the deep roots of the congregation, while the second is still used by the congregation for sermons and other gatherings. Both structures on the site are part of a 1978 listing of the church to the National Register of Historic Places.

The community has experienced a decline in its younger population, resulting in a small, aging congregation today. This demographic shift has made it increasingly difficult to maintain and restore the church buildings, as resources — both physical and financial — are limited. The structures are now at significant risk, with ongoing exposure to the elements causing further deterioration and the looming threat of irreparable damage.

Photos and information can be viewed at https://www.georgiatrust.org/places-in-peril/historic-nicholsonboro-baptist-church/

Powell Opera House, Blakely (Early County)

The original Powell Opera House in Blakely was constructed by Arthur Powell as a three-story brick building in 1904. The opera house, which purportedly had seating for 750, hosted a variety of performances until it was destroyed by a fire in 1907. In 1910, it was rebuilt as a two-story office building, utilizing the remains of the original structure, with businesses on the first floor and the opera house on the second. It began showing "talkies" in 1930; however, when a new movie theater opened in 1936, it closed its doors and has remained shuttered ever since.

The space has never been reopened to the public. While the original seating was removed, much of the building remains largely intact. Today, the space is used for storage and, after nearly 90 years of neglect, it shows significant signs of deterioration.

With the community’s interest in revitalizing downtown Blakely, locals are advocating for the rehabilitation of the opera house rather than its redevelopment, hoping to preserve its historic character for future generations.

Photos and information can be viewed at https://www.georgiatrust.org/places-in-peril/powell-opera-house/

Historic Rock House, Thomson (McDuffie County)

Constructed by Thomas Ansley, the Rock House in McDuffie County is one of the few remaining structures linked to Georgia's small 18th-century Quaker community of Wrightsboro. Recent dendrochronology testing has revealed a c. 1795 construction date. Considered to be the oldest stone house in the state, it was also home to ancestors of former President Jimmy Carter. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1970, the Rock House is recognized as a unique historic resource, deserving of careful preservation.

The property continues to face significant challenges from vandalism and the damaging effects of the elements, with the site's remote location complicating both security and necessary repairs. The county has allocated SPLOST funds for rehabilitation and enhanced security, but the projected costs exceed the available funding. As a result, advocates are actively seeking additional support to ensure the structure's preservation.

Photos and information can be viewed at https://www.georgiatrust.org/places-in-peril/historic-rock-house/

Southeastern Railway Museum, Duluth (Gwinnett County)

Founded in 1999 and spanning 35 acres, the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth boasts a remarkable collection of rolling stock that is not only significant to Georgia’s history but to the broader story of American transportation. With artifacts that span the origins of rail travel, key political events, and the Civil Rights Movement, the museum offers a unique perspective on America's history through the lens of its railroads. Noteworthy rail cars on site include former President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Marco Polo and the 1911 Pullman Superb, the latter listed on the National Register of Historic Places, further underscoring the historic value the site offers.

With a vast collection of over 90 pieces of historic railroad rolling stock, the museum is limited in its capacity to stabilize and restore all of it. Many pieces remain exposed to the elements, contributing to ongoing damage and deterioration. The museum thrives thanks to the dedication of a small staff and volunteers, whose contributions are essential to its success; however, they are facing insufficient funds and skills to care for the whole collection.

Photos and information can be viewed at https://www.georgiatrust.org/places-in-peril/southeastern-railway-museum/

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. It is owned by the town and is recognized as a contributing resource to the Buckhead Historic District.

The building faces a severe threat of collapse due to prolonged neglect and lack of maintenance. A previously failed roof system caused extensive structural damage, leading to bulging brick walls, compromised window framing, and deteriorating brickwork. The mortar is failing, with bricks loosening and interior plaster walls showing significant cracking. Despite a new roof installed in 2018, ongoing structural issues continue to jeopardize the building’s stability. A class from the University of Georgia has been identified to assist with rehabilitating the building. The community is hopeful that the momentum and funding for this project will continue to grow, and the building can be saved.

Photos and information can be viewed at https://www.georgiatrust.org/places-in-peril/buckhead-town-hall-and-jail/

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