Jones, John James, House
Also known as: Jones-Cox House; The Shadows
Why it's listed
Built in 1876 on Jones Avenue in Waynesboro, Georgia, this two-story frame house combines Greek Revival and Victorian features. A two-story cantilevered portico with six Doric columns fronts the building, and a balcony sits above the entrance, which has an overlight and sidelights. The symmetrical facade, heavy frame construction and substantial first-floor molding reflect Greek Revival influence, while the tall narrow proportions, asymmetrical floor plan and rear bay window reflect the Victorian period. John James Jones, a lawyer, planter, U.S. congressman and Georgia legislator, built it after the family plantation burned in 1876, reportedly modeling the portico on the home of Senator Robert Toombs, his wife's uncle. Jones lived there until his death in 1898. Later owners redecorated the interior in 1948 and the 1970s, added ornamentation, created rear gardens and replaced several columns. The house stands on 6.6 acres in a wooded residential setting. It was listed for its architectural and local historical value.
Significance in brief: The house is significant for its architecture and local history. It shows the persistence of Greek Revival style, notably its colonnaded portico, into the Victorian era. Its builder, John James Jones, was prominent in Waynesboro's political and professional 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 80000981, listed February 15, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 525 Jones Ave., Waynesboro |
|---|---|
| County | Burke County |
| Listed | February 15, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80000981 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | John James Jones |
| Architectural style | Combination of Greek Revival and Victorian |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied private residence in excellent condition, with the grounds and house described as continually maintained. |
| Acreage | 6.6 |
| Within district | Waynesboro Historic District |
| Coordinates | 33.08626, -82.01873 (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 80000981.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16971944
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.