Bonner-Sharp-Gunn House
Also known as: Thomas Bonner House
Why it's listed
Built around 1844 for Thomas Bonner, a Carroll County planter, this frame house in Carrollton is a provincial version of Greek Revival design. It has double-breasted chimneys, two fluted Doric columns, carefully detailed window and door moldings, and a diamond-pattern railing on the upstairs porch. Federal cavalry raided it during the Civil War but did not burn it. It later passed to the Sharp family, then became the first women's dormitory of the 4th District A & M School after the land was bought in 1907. It was moved about 300 yards east in 1913. Later it served West Georgia College as a dean's residence, faculty housing, a dormitory and offices. A 1966 renovation stripped much of the downstairs interior, though the upstairs rooms remain largely intact and can guide restoration. It is listed as one of the few surviving ante-bellum dwellings in the county and as a teaching resource and link between campus and community.
Significance in brief: The house is one of the few surviving ante-bellum dwellings in Carroll County and is seen as the best chance of preserving one. It is a provincial adaptation of Greek Revival style that reflects the tastes of eastern Georgia's fine houses in a frontier setting. It has been part of nearly the whole history of the county.
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 70000198, listed May 13, 1970. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | West Georgia College campus, Carrollton |
|---|---|
| County | Carroll County |
| Listed | May 13, 1970 |
| Reference number | 70000198 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific date 1844) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival (provincial adaptation) |
| Areas of significance | Education, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition marked good; downstairs was renovated for offices in 1966, and a restoration committee was planning to restore the house. Owned by the Board of Regents, University System of Georgia. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 33.57149, -85.09800 (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 70000198.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q134135622
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.