Places in Peril Successes

1. The Hancock County Courthouse

Built in 1883 in the Second Empire style by architects Parkins and Bruce, the courthouse, affectionately called “Her Majesty,” is a local landmark in Sparta, Georgia.

After years of neglect, it was listed as a Place in Peril by The Georgia Trust in 2013, prompting initial preservation efforts. Tragedy struck in 2014 when a devastating fire gutted the courthouse, melting its clock tower bell and causing widespread damage. The building was relisted as a Place in Peril in 2015.

Hancock County Commission Chairwoman Sistie Hudson spearheaded the revival, supported by a robust insurance policy and the community’s determination. Incredibly, the courthouse’s original architectural plans, borrowed by a neighboring county in the 1990s, were returned to guide the $7.5 million restoration. Steel reinforcements stabilized the structure, and meticulous work, including a $500,000 clock tower restoration, brought the courthouse back to life.

In August 2016, the courthouse was rededicated, symbolizing triumph over adversity. In 2017, it received The Georgia Trust’s Marguerite Williams Award, recognizing its profound impact on preservation. Today, the Hancock County Courthouse stands as a testament to the community’s unwavering dedication to saving its heritage.

2. Fairview School

The Fairview School in Cave Spring, Georgia, stands as a vital reminder of the African American experience during the Jim Crow era. Built in 1925, it served as a school for African American students until 1954. Years of neglect led to the demolition of three of its four buildings, leaving only the First Grade Classroom Building, which was enveloped by overgrowth and nearly unrecognizable by 2009.

In 2011, the Fairview School was listed as a Place in Peril by The Georgia Trust, marking the start of its journey toward preservation. Led by Joyce Perdue Smith and the Fairview Board of Directors, along with architect Joseph Smith and his team, restoration efforts gained momentum. In 2017, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and in 2018, a major matching grant from donor Wes Walraven spurred a successful fundraising campaign.

By February 2019, the First Grade Classroom Building was fully restored, retaining over 90% of its original materials, earning it a Preservation Award from the Georgia Trust. Now a symbol of perseverance and community collaboration, the site preserves the legacy of rural African American education while serving as a resource for modern students. The Fairview School’s restoration ensures its story continues to educate and engage future generations, fostering a deeper understanding of the past and its impact on the present.

3. Mercer Music at Capricorn

Mercer Music at Capricorn, located on Macon’s Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, is a restored treasure that celebrates the city’s rich musical history. The four interconnected buildings, constructed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, became a cultural landmark in 1969 as the recording studios of Capricorn Records, home to legendary artists such as Otis Redding and the Allman Brothers Band.

By 2010, decades of neglect placed the entire block in jeopardy, leading to its inclusion on the Georgia Trust’s Places in Peril list. In 2015, a collaborative effort involving Mercer University, NewTown Macon, Sierra Development, and Southern Pines Plantations initiated the buildings’ restoration. Central to the project was preserving the historic recording studio and booth spaces, iconic to Capricorn Records’ legacy. With much of the original detail lost, the team prioritized retaining remaining historic materials and used replica and vintage components to accurately recreate the studio’s storied atmosphere.

Now revitalized as Mercer Music, the complex honors its musical heritage while serving as a vibrant community space. It features two fully equipped recording studios, a music incubator, office and rental spaces, a museum dedicated to Capricorn Records, and a small bar and lounge. This thoughtful restoration ensures that Capricorn Studios’ legendary legacy continues to inspire and thrive in Macon.

4. Berrien House

The Berrien House, built circa 1791 in Savannah, is a standout example of historic preservation success. Constructed for Revolutionary War hero Major John Berrien and later home to his son, U.S. Senator and Attorney General John MacPherson Berrien, this iconic structure holds a significant place in Georgia’s history.

Before its restoration, the house faced a dire future, having been condemned three times and listed as a Place in Peril by the Georgia Trust in 2008. Efforts to save it culminated in its acquisition and meticulous rehabilitation by Andrew Jones, a descendant of the Berrien family.

The restoration process was extensive. Years of work restored the house to its original proportions, lowering it back to its raised-basement height after a previous alteration. Stucco covering the original wood siding and decorative fascia was removed, and the materials were repaired and preserved. Inside, a mix of preservation and custom fabrication brought the historic interiors back to life, including the discovery and conservation of one of the nation’s finest collections of historic wallpapers.

Today, the Berrien House serves as a residence on the upper floors and and a commercial bank on the ground floor, blending its historic character with modern functionality. In 2020, the project earned a Preservation Award from the Georgia Trust, celebrating the dedication that saved this landmark

5. Cherry Grove Schoolhouse

Constructed circa 1910, the Cherry Grove Schoolhouse in Washington, Georgia, is a rare surviving example of an early 20th-century rural African American school building. Located on the grounds of Cherry Grove Baptist Church, established in 1875, the one-room schoolhouse was an educational cornerstone for the farming communities of Danburg and Sandtown, serving students from 1910 to 1956.

By 2015, decades of neglect had left the structure in critical condition, with a collapsed roof, termite damage, broken joists, and a foundation pier that had crumbled entirely. Recognizing its significance, the Friends of Cherry Grove School, Inc., a dedicated non-profit, took up the challenge of preserving this important piece of African American educational and architectural history.

In 2021, the schoolhouse was listed as one of The Georgia Trust’s Places in Peril, highlighting its endangered status and rallying statewide support. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Friends of Cherry Grove School, the building has been rehabilitated, restoring its original character and ensuring its future.

The project received The Georgia Trust’s highest honor, the Marguerite Williams Award, in 2023, celebrating its profound impact on preservation in Georgia. Today, the Cherry Grove Schoolhouse stands as a symbol of resilience and a vibrant educational heritage site, showcasing the power of community-driven preservation.

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