Georgia has added three new sites to the National Register of Historic Places, reflecting ongoing efforts to recognize and preserve the state’s historic heritage. The recent additions are the Downtown Albany Commercial Historic District in Dougherty County, the Thomson Commercial Historic District in McDuffie County, and Cross Roads School in Brooks County.
These nominations align with the mission of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) Historic Preservation Division (HPD), which seeks to promote the preservation and use of historic places across Georgia. According to HPD, sharing this information is intended to encourage greater public awareness and appreciation for how historic resources impact both social and economic aspects of life in Georgia.
As of December 11, 2025, there are 2,228 listings that make up 90,611 resources from Georgia on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Downtown Albany Commercial Historic District consists of connected historic properties that highlight its role as a major economic center from 1885 through 1975. The district’s buildings reflect Albany’s growth as Southwest Georgia’s largest city and show how it served regional commercial needs. Changes in shopping patterns during the 1960s led city officials to implement plans aimed at maintaining downtown appeal by adding automobile parking, which ultimately altered the area’s commercial character by 1975. The City of Albany sponsored this nomination, with Ray, Ellis & LaBrie, LLC preparing supporting materials.
The Thomson Commercial Historic District has been recognized for its significance as a center for commerce serving McDuffie County and nearby rural areas. The district also reflects mid-20th-century changes influenced by increased automobile use, such as new shopping centers and parking facilities. Notable architectural styles present include Beaux Arts, Greek Revival, Colonial Revival Mission Revival, Art Deco, and Moderne. This updated nomination expands on an original listing from 1989 to account for additional historically significant resources and changes within the district. Forward McDuffie sponsored this nomination with documentation by Ethos Preservation, LLC.
Cross Roads School in Dixie is noted for its importance in education, Black ethnic heritage, and social history. Built in 1928 following standardized designs promoted by Northern philanthropists and educators seeking better educational opportunities for African Americans in rural southern communities, it represents a significant investment in facilities for Black children at that time. Despite some deterioration over time, much of its original structure remains intact. The nomination was sponsored by Cross Road Community Center Inc., with Dr. Leroy Hunter preparing materials.
According to DCA’s HPD program description, their activities include environmental review processes, grants administration, historic resource surveys, tax incentives related to preservation work, management of National Register nominations like these recent additions, and providing community assistance programs focused on preservation initiatives.
“Listing nominations is in line with DCA’s Historic Preservation Division’s (HPD) mission to promote the preservation and use of historic places for a better Georgia.”
The division also states: “The division shares this information to encourage more historic property preservation through public awareness and an appreciation of the impact historic resources have on our social and economic lives.”
For further details about HPD’s programs or their work supporting preservation efforts statewide,
visit their official website.
