Historic Macon’s consulting department had the opportunity to spend a week in Brunswick the “City by the Sea” at the end of January assisting on a National Register of Historic Places update of their Old Town Historic District. Many towns in Georgia have National Register historic districts; these are historic areas that the federal government officially recognizes as “worthy of preservation” through their listing. Beyond this official recognition, the National Register is an important preservation tool, since being listed grants a property access to federal and state historic tax credits. Unfortunately, many districts in Georgia’s downtowns have not been updated since the 1970s and 80s, leaving decades of buildings that are fifty years old ineligible for preservation incentives and stalling the revitalization of historic town centers. This situation was the case in Brunswick’s Old Town Historic District. Our consultation enabled these newly qualifying, historic buildings to be added to the National Register.
Brunswick Field Notes
by Caity Hungate
Mid-Century architecture is oftentimes overlooked and under appreciated. In fact, many consider Mid-Century buildings to be downright dreadful. I was among the many who felt this way. Fortunately, a trip to Brunswick, Georgia changed my mind. During that trip my colleague Kim Campbell and I drove or walked up and down every street in Brunswick’s Old Town Historic District. While many of the homes and businesses were built in the Victorian era or around the turn of the century, there were portions of the district that were developed during the 1950s-1960s. The modest Ranch houses stood out against the large Folk Victorian homes that surrounded them. At first I thought that these small and boxy houses lacked the complexity that was seen in the surrounding Victorian houses. Little did I know that Ranch houses are not only complex, but they vary in style. Eichleresque Ranches, for example, are long, angular, and feature exposed structural elements (similar to Craftsman style). Colonial Revival Ranches have many details that are similar to traditional Colonial Revival houses, such as columns, pediments, and decorative shutters. There are countless other styles and types of Ranch houses. Fortunately, I was able to learn about each one and gain a new appreciation for Mid-Century architecture. These houses and buildings are important. They represent an era in history— an era of transition and growth.