Cowles, Jerry, Cottage
Also known as: Alfred Sams House
Why it's listed
Built in 1830 for Jerry Cowles, a New York native who became a Macon banker and railroad promoter, this one-story Greek Revival cottage was designed and built by Elam Alexander. It originally stood on Walnut Street with lawns reaching the Ocmulgee River. Stuccoed brick walls, a four-column Ionic portico, a fan-lighted entrance, stepped parapeted gable ends and paired chimneys define its appearance. Inside, a wide central hall with an arch leads to paired rooms, and the house has molded cornices, ceiling centerpieces and mantels with gold-leaf medallions. After World War II, downtown expansion threatened the building. Alfred Sams had it carefully dismantled, each piece numbered, and rebuilt on a suburban site about six miles northwest under architect W. Elliott Dunwody, Jr. A wing from 1885 and additional wings were added. Cowles also supported Wesleyan Female College, and the cottage is regarded by leading architects as a model Greek Revival cottage that has been widely copied.
Significance in brief: The cottage is described as a perfect example of the Greek Revival cottage and has been widely copied. It was the first home of Jerry Cowles, a New York-born banker, railroad promoter and major benefactor of Wesleyan Female College. It is also tied to architect Elam Alexander, who designed other prominent Macon buildings.
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 71000252, listed June 21, 1971. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 4569 Rivoli Dr., Macon |
|---|---|
| County | Bibb County |
| Listed | June 21, 1971 |
| Reference number | 71000252 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1830 |
| Architect / builder | Elam Alexander (designer/builder); restoration under architect W. Elliott Dunwody, Jr. |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence; condition listed as excellent and integrity as altered (moved and rebuilt). |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 32.87412, -83.70455 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 71000252.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q134086259
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.