McCrary, DeWitt, House
Also known as: A. Peyton Balkcom House
Why it's listed
Built about 1878 by the father of DeWitt McCrary, this white-painted wood-frame house at 320 Hydrolia Street in East Macon is described as an exceptional example of the Victorian cottage style common in the area in the middle to late 19th century. A balustraded porch with turned columns, moulded capitals and sawn scrollwork brackets wraps about three-fourths of the house. The steeply pitched hipped roof has a flat deck flanked by corbeled brick chimneys, and the cornice features elongated dentils and paired brackets. Inside, a center hall runs through the square main floor, and original features include a mirrored mantel, heart pine floors and closets built like furniture. The house sits near old Fort Hawkins, east of the Ocmulgee River, where Macon had its beginnings. McCrary ran a drugstore on Main Street and served on the city council for East Macon, and the house became a local showplace.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant for its Victorian architecture, its prominent location at Main and Hydrolia Streets, and the standing of its owner and occupants. It is called probably the most outstanding building still standing in the area where Macon began. DeWitt McCrary was a well-known druggist and East Macon city councilman.
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 74000659, listed March 22, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 320 Hydrolia St., Macon |
|---|---|
| County | Bibb County |
| Listed | March 22, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74000659 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (c.1878) |
| Architectural style | Victorian Cottage |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition, unaltered on its original site, and used as a private residence; the exterior has been faithfully maintained. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | East Macon Historic District |
| Coordinates | 32.84381, -83.61647 (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 74000659.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q134131508
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.