Harris, Corra White, House, Study, and Chapel
Also known as: In the Valley
Why it's listed
On a hilltop near Rydal in Bartow County, Georgia, a group of log and stone buildings preserves the retreat of novelist Corra White Harris. She bought about 200 acres in 1913, including a log house said to date from around 1830, and named the place "In the Valley." She added log wings to the house and built a log study around 1915, where most of her writing was done. A stone chapel built from native stone in 1935 by three of her nephews as a memorial holds her grave. A barn and a log outbuilding complete the grouping. Harris wrote fourteen novels, including A Circuit Rider's Wife, along with articles and book reviews, and she received a 1932 award for contributions to southern writing. The property was listed for its association with her, and its period of significance runs from her purchase in 1913 to her death in 1935.
Significance in brief: The complex is nationally significant in literature because of its direct association with Corra White Harris (1869-1935), a nationally known writer of the early 20th century. She wrote most of her work in the study here. The form calls it the only remaining place directly associated with her professional writing career.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 97000249, listed July 25, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 659 Mt. Pleasant Rd., NE., Rydal |
|---|---|
| County | Bartow County |
| Listed | July 25, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97000249 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1913 to 1935 |
| Architectural style | Other: log cabin; other: stone single-pen |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Literature |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The chapel and study are owned and maintained by the Bartow History Center, a local non-profit, and the museum use is listed. The house is privately owned and was not accessible for interior description. |
| Acreage | 57 |
| Coordinates | 34.37125, -84.75830 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 97000249.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5172697
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.