features >> Vineville: Growing Strong

History:

1. During the Civil War, Macon was a railroad center for the state. Therefore, it received many hundreds of wounded confederate soldiers and seven hospitals were set up 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. Source: Journal of the American Medical Association of Georgia, 1999. See notes.

2. 1890 Census report shows population of Vineville and East Macon to be 5,500. Source: Macon, GA’s Central City pg.42

3. 1896 There was much controversy concerning annexation of Vineville by Macon. Judge Emory Spear and Washington Dessau went to Atlanta to seek independent incorporation for Vineville but were unsuccessful. By 1904, Vineville was annexed. Source: Macon, GA’s Central City pg. 46

4. GA Academy for the Blind moved to Vineville in 1906. Source: A Guide to Macon’s Architectural & Historical Heritage. pg. 98

5. Vineville was named for the multitude of vineyards thriving in the area. Source: A Guide to Macon’s etc.

6. The Vineville Neighborhood Association was founded in 1978. The neighborhood achieved the status of Historic District by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1981.  Source: VNA Archives.

Houses:

1. 201 Clisby Place: Bailey-Clisby Manor “Woodlawn” Circa 1836. One of the oldest houses in Vineville. A Federal Style manor that once sat on a 20-acre estate. Built by Bailey and sold to Joseph Clisby in 1858. Clisby was the owner of the first Macon daily newspaper, The Messenger, than later named The Telegraph. In 1865, this house was used to quarter Federal Officers while occupying Macon. Many years later, the house was altered to face the new street, Clisby Place. Source: Macon’s Treasures Remembered and VNA archives. Current owners: Evelyn & Tom Shimek

2. ??? Vineville :  The Big House. The Allman Brothers lived here for a time. 

3. 155 Oakhaven: A Neel Reid house

4. 137 Buford: Has gone through a major restoration in the last 5 years. Owner: Marion Baugh. Might be a good “before and after” example of the neighborhood revitalization

5. 172 Cleveland Avenue: Circa 1836. Sanders-Mallary-Ellis-McClure House. One of the oldest houses in Vineville. It originally faced Vineville Avenue with an alley of cedars. When C.B. Ellis purchased the property in 1891, he turned it to face the new Cleveland Avenue named for Grover Cleveland. Source: Macon’s Treasures Remembered. Current owners: Robert and Mary Vaughn.

6. 134 Buford Place: circa 1890. Davis-Guttenberger-Rankin house.  National Historic Register. Excellent Victorian example. Original owner, Davis, sold his estate and it was partialled out into lots for home construction. New road was cut into estate and named Buford Place. Around 1911. Source: my research on our house. Current owners: Sharon A(can’t remember how to spell or say last name) New to Macon. Might be good interviewee about why choose Vineville to live in.

7. 114 Buford Place: Neel Reid – architect. On National Register of Historic Places

8. 143 Buford Place: current owner: Judy Murphy. Possible quote from long-term resident of Vineville

9. 156 Rogers: Napier-Small McMullan House. Circa 1846. On originally 325 acres reaching to the Ocmulgee. In 1900’s it was turned to face Rogers by placing on logs. Source: Macon’s Treasures Remembered

10. 191 Rogers: Possible before and after story. See MHF newsletter. Good example of MHF impact on neighborhood revitalization.

11. 159 Rogers: Pilot house circa: 1841. Monroe-Rogers Manor. Nathan C. Monroe built it. He founded GA Acad. of the Blind after his daughter lost her sight and he was first president. It originally faced Vineville Ave. When Rogers Ave. was established, it was modified to make the side entrance into the front entrance. Current owners: The Pilot Club of Macon. Source: Macon’s Treasures Remembered

12. 2417 Clayton: Tom Noekle’s house. Owner of The Grill restaurants. New to neighborhood. Possible interview, “Why pick Vineville?”

13. 2455 Clayton: circa 1830. Smith cottage. One of oldest houses in Vineville. Current owners: Asa and Mary Howard. Beautiful gardens.

14. 318 Buford Place: Clay and Lyn Murphy. Found old pictures in walls when remodeling. The pictures show parts of Buford Place where there is nothing but trees and a dirt road. Circa. 1910-1915.

15. 318 Buford Place: The Murphy’s have a picture similar to this one that shows the tree at about 10 feet high.