Wild Heron
Also known as: Wild Horn
Why it's listed
Fifteen miles southwest of Savannah, Wild Heron is a raised, one and one-half story frame house in the coastal Raised Cottage style. It was probably built between 1752 and 1756 for Captain David Cutler Braddock on a 500-acre grant made in 1747. Hand-hewn pine beams, brick piers, original wainscotting and distinctive mantelpieces survive from its early construction, and the house was restored in the 1930s. Its three chimneys, with diminishing brick shoulders, appear to be unique. Francis Harris, an English-born accountant, merchant and member of the Royal Governor's Council, bought the property and gave it the English name of an estate said to have belonged to his wife's family. His son, Colonel Francis Henry Harris, served as a soldier in the Revolution. The land remained a working plantation for about two hundred years, passing through descendants until the Myrick family bought it in 1935. The house is valued as one of Georgia's oldest surviving dwellings and a largely intact example of its type. About six acres are nominated, including gardens and old live oaks.
Significance in brief: It is one of the oldest domestic structures in Georgia and a relatively intact example of a house type common in coastal Georgia and South Carolina. It is also associated with Francis Harris and his son Francis Henry Harris, prominent figures of the Colonial and Revolutionary eras, and with two centuries of use as a working 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 77000415, listed December 16, 1977. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 15 mi. SW of Savannah off U.S. 17, Savannah |
|---|---|
| County | Chatham County |
| Listed | December 16, 1977 |
| Reference number | 77000415 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1752-1756 |
| Architect / builder | Captain David Cutler Braddock (likely builder) |
| Architectural style | Coastal Raised Cottage |
| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied private residence in excellent condition; restored in the 1930s, with a c. 1930 frame guest house/garage also within the nominated acreage. |
| Acreage | 6 |
| Coordinates | 31.97081, -81.21880 (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 77000415.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14686953
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.