Ware-Lyndon House
Also known as: Lyndon House
Why it's listed
Built around 1850 on a knoll overlooking Athens, Georgia, this two-story brick house combines late Greek Revival design with delicate Italianate brackets under the eaves. The three-bay front has a one-story porch across its width, floor-length first-floor windows with heavy entablatures, and a framed doorway with sidelights and a seven-light transom. Inside, a central hall holds the main stairway, parlors on the east side are joined by sliding doors and have the only ornate cornice work, and all mantels are marble. Edward R. Ware, a prominent physician, was the first owner, and his plantation ran to the Oconee River. His children sold the property in 1880 to Edward S. Lyndon, a druggist and millwork company owner. The city bought it in 1939 for recreational use. It is considered significant as the only remaining house in its original location in a once fashionable residential area, and as a well-known local landmark.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is the only remaining home in its original location in what was once a fashionable residential area of Athens. It is well known to generations of Athenians and has served several uses. It also illustrates the reuse of an existing structure for public recreation while preserving local history and architecture.
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 76000614, listed March 15, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 293 Hoyt St., Athens |
|---|---|
| County | Clarke County |
| Listed | March 15, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76000614 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c.1850 |
| Architectural style | Late Greek Revival with Italianate elements |
| Areas of significance | Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned by the City of Athens Parks and Recreation and open to the public; described as altered but frugally maintained, with a new recreation building and facilities being added nearby. |
| Acreage | 9 |
| Within district | Old North Campus, University of Georgia |
| Coordinates | 33.96398, -83.37631 (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 76000614.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q17033292
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.