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The Vineville Neighborhood was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The second of 11 areas in Macon to be recognized as a national historic district, Vineville is located one-and-half miles northwest of downtown Macon. It covers 525 acres with approximately 700 homes, churches, businesses and schools.Around the time that Macon was incorporated in December 1823, a small road was built across the plateau to connect Macon with the town of Forsyth. Known as Forsyth Road then, but Vineville Avenue today, the road ran along the Monroe Railroad, which was completed to Forsyth in 1838.
Plantation estates and farms dotted the road dating back to 1823. A farmhouse on one 50-acre farm remains today on Vineville Avenue near the intersection of Pio Nono Avenue. Considered the oldest unaltered residence in Macon, the Solomon-Smith-Martin house was built in 1823 in an early Republic Style. The wide boards of its ceilings and walls were hand planed and hand sawn over a pit. Brick used in the construction was made on site. The house was placed on the National Register of Historic Place in 1971.
The plantation mansions built along Forsyth Road rose behind long avenues of trees. Other plantation homes were turned to face Forsyth and new roads that were being cut in when the land was parceled out. One of Vineville’s early settlers was Judge Christopher Strong. He had a vineyard at his house, which was called “The Villa.” It is his property that is credited with the inspiration of the name “Vineville.” Mail could be delivered addressed to Vineville Village, Georgia. In 1837, Vineville had 500 residents among 40 families.
During the Civil War, Macon was a railroad center for the state. The city received many hundreds of wounded Confederate soldiers and seven hospitals were established in Macon. Two of them were located in Vineville. Vineville Hospital #1 was on Pierce Avenue and Vineville Hospital #2 was on Hines Terrace. On July 5, 1864, several Atlanta area hospitals were evacuated and reestablished in Vineville.
By the 1890s, annexation of Vineville into the City of Macon became an issue. The topic was extremely controversial. Many Maconites felt that the wealthy of Vineville should help finance the increasing needs for public services. Vineville residents, however, wanted to retain their independent community. In 1896, Judge Emory Spear and Washington Dessau went to Atlanta to seek incorporation of Vineville, but their appeal was denied. By 1904, the annexation bill was passed and Vineville Village became part of the City of Macon and one of Macon’s first suburbs.The Vineville Historic District includes examples of late 19th and early 20th century revival styles such as Greek Revival, Georgian Revival, Queen Anne and Craftsman. There is also a wide variety of other architectural designs including Plantation Plain, Victorian, Neoclassical and Bungalow. And, extraordinary examples of Spanish Villa, English Tudor, Italian Revival, Federal Georgian and Jacobean can be found. Several houses in Vineville are listed individually on the National Register of Historic Places because of their outstanding architecture.
Today, Vineville enjoys a renaissance as more and more people have learned the value and charm of living in historic homes. With wide sidewalks, tree-lined streets and lots of front porch conversations, the neighborhood has a friendly feeling that is inviting to young couples, retirees, empty-nesters, young families and singles. It’s also very convenient to downtown Macon where revitalization is offering abundant restaurants, entertainment and shopping.
The Vineville Neighborhood Association was founded in 1978 and is one of Macon’s most active neighborhood associations.
nmcarthur |
Latest page update: made by nmcarthur
, Oct 19 2008, 1:44 PM EDT
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