Railroad Overpass at Ocmulgee
Why it's listed
Built between 1870 and 1873, this small brick railroad overpass sits in a wooded part of Ocmulgee National Monument in Macon, at the edge of the Walnut Creek floodplain. A horseshoe-shaped arched passage runs through the center, flanked by retaining walls that sweep outward in broad curves. Radiating brick voussoirs, a stepped watertable and a corbelled cornice complete the design. The structure was laid out for Samuel S. Dunlap, whose plantation the Central of Georgia Railroad crossed when it moved its line. It gave access to the southern part of his land and served private needs. The nomination values it for its unusually refined design, which seems better suited to a landscaped park than a working railroad, and for its all-brick construction at a time when stone, wood or iron was typical. More than a century later it still carries trains and has a road running beneath it.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the overpass is significant in architecture, engineering and transportation history. Its horseshoe-shaped arch and sweeping curved retaining walls are more ornamental than a railroad required, and it is built entirely of brick when most railroad bridges of the decade used stone, wood or iron. It also marks the 1870s relocation of the Central of Georgia line across the Dunlap plantation.
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 79000699, listed December 18, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Off GA 49, Macon |
|---|---|
| County | Bibb County |
| Listed | December 18, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79000699 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1870-1873 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Transportation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as unaltered and in good condition; still in regular use by the railroad, with a narrow paved road passing beneath it. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Ocmulgee National Monument |
| Coordinates | 32.84109, -83.59973 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 79000699.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q134132402
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.