City of Valdosta, Georgia Local Historic District Survey

Patterson, Lauren; Davidson, Shanda; Scales, Darcie; Shane, Briane

Executive Summary: "TerraXplorations, Inc. (TerraX) was contracted by the City of Valdosta, Georgia, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Historic Preservation Division and the National Park Service, to complete a historic resources survey of 998 parcels within the Valdosta Local Historic District. Resources aged 40 years and older were evaluated and survey descriptions were entered into the Georgia's Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources GIS (GNAHRGIS) database. The Valdosta Local Historic District was established in 1981. Within it are five National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) districts and seven landmarks. The area was last surveyed in the early 2000s as part of a county-wide historic resources survey. The present survey evaluated all but the southernmost area of the local historic district, excluding the commercial downtown and residential areas to its east and west. The entire district was not surveyed because it encompasses far more than the contracted parcel amount. Resources within the survey area date from the late-nineteenth century to the present day. To generalize, the resources at the southern end of the district are the oldest, with both high-style and vernacular houses built in the late-nineteenth to early-twentieth centuries. Moving north through the district, the residential areas gradually transition to bungalows built throughout the 1920s to 1930s, pre- and post-World War II American Small Houses, then post-war Ranch houses. Commercial buildings and houses that were converted to commercial and institutional uses are common throughout the district. Major features include the Sunset Hill Cemetery, Drexel Park, and Valdosta State University (VSU). From the 998 evaluated parcels, the survey identified 848 buildings, 2 sites, and 2 structures built in 1980 or prior in a variety of architectural types and styles. Of the resources, 797 were aged 50 years or older and 55 were aged 40-49 years. It was found that 85 resources previously surveyed in 2006 have been demolished. In total, 937 GNAHRGIS entries were created to updated to reflect the extant and non-extant resources. The survey identified overall trends including the prevalence of buildings designed by Valdosta architect Lloyd Greer, the influence of VSU, and demolition by neglect. Recommendations to address these trends are discussed within the report, as well as recommendations for two new NRHP landmarks, one new district, and amendments to the established Brookwood North Historic District boundaries." Project funding was provided in part by a Historic Preservation Fund grant to the Georgia Historic Preservation Division, Department of Natural Resources, administered by the State, Tribal, Local Plans and Grants division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior (grant number P19AF00220).

City of Valdosta, Georgia Local Historic District Survey

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