Findlay, Robert, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1856 at 785 Second Street in Macon, this two-story house with a cupola reflects the Italian villa style, likely adapted from a pattern book such as A.J. Downing's The Architecture of Country Houses. A porch runs across the front and down both sides, supported by paneled columns with cast iron brackets, an early use of cast iron in a Macon home. Cast iron grilles ventilate the stuccoed brick base, and the interior retains ornate plaster cornices, carved white marble mantels, original gas fixtures and pocket doors. Robert Findlay, a Scottish native, came to Macon in 1836 to manage steam machinery for the Monroe Railroad and helped run the locomotive Ocmulgee in 1838. He later founded a large foundry business, served on City Council and as fire chief, and raised five sons in the house. The YWCA now owns it and uses it for club meeting rooms. It is one of the few notable antebellum homes left in the area.
Significance in brief: The house is one of the few outstanding antebellum homes remaining in this part of Macon. It reflects the Italian-villa style popularized by A.J. Downing's pattern books and has an early use of cast iron brackets in a Macon residence. It is also tied to Robert Findlay, a Scottish-born machinist and foundry founder who was active in the city's civic life.
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 72000363, listed January 20, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 785 2nd St., Macon |
|---|---|
| County | Bibb County |
| Listed | January 20, 1972 |
| Reference number | 72000363 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific date 1856) |
| Architect / builder | Robert Findlay (builder) |
| Architectural style | Villa in the Italian Style |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned by the YWCA, used for club meeting rooms and earlier as a dormitory for working girls; exterior and interior described as in good to excellent condition. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Macon Historic District |
| Coordinates | 32.83173, -83.63363 (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 72000363.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.