Hatcher-Groover-Schwartz House
Also known as: Bert Schwartz House; Hatcher House
Why it's listed
Built in 1880 on Georgia Avenue in Macon's College Hill area, this red brick house is a Second Empire design from the Victorian era. Marshall James Hatcher, who came from Marshallville, bought the lot from the Central Georgia Bank and built it. He kept a dairy on land later part of Ocmulgee National Monument and invented agricultural equipment. Judge Felton Hatcher later lived here and worked in public utilities, including the Bibb Power Company. The exterior has steep mansard roofs of patterned colored slate, carved stone string bands, stone quoins, a bracketed cornice, a corner pavilion and a wrought-iron porch. Inside, wide sliding doors that slip into wall pockets open the living areas, and the principal rooms have oak parquet floors, each with its own design. Only a rear addition and one added hallway partition are significant changes. The nomination describes it as the only house of its type in Macon and an important contrast to its neighbors.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it a superb example of French Second Empire style from the Victorian era and the only house of this type in Macon. It contrasts with the Greek and Classic Revival and Victorian houses nearby and is described as outstanding among the city's great houses. It is also tied to Marshall James Hatcher and his son Judge Felton Hatcher, who was active in public utilities.
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 71000257, listed June 21, 1971. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1144-1146 Georgia Ave., Macon |
|---|---|
| County | Bibb County |
| Listed | June 21, 1971 |
| Reference number | 71000257 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1880 |
| Architect / builder | Marshall James Hatcher (builder) |
| Architectural style | French Second Empire (Victorian era) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as slightly altered since construction, with a later rear wooden addition holding the kitchen and porch; a private residence. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Macon Historic District |
| Coordinates | 32.84048, -83.63742 (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 71000257.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16993745
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.