Young Women's Christian Association Complex
Also known as: Thomas,Stevens,House
Why it's listed
Three buildings on a corner lot west of downtown Athens, Georgia, make up this former YWCA headquarters. The oldest is the Stevens Thomas House, a two-story Greek Revival house of 1849-1850 with a full-width portico and a central-hall plan. It was rotated 90 degrees in 1911-1912 to face Hancock Street, making room for the YWCA Athletic Building, a two-story brick structure of 1913 designed by Athens native Fred J. Orr. Its portico, quoins and modillioned cornice recall small-town Carnegie libraries. A c. 1900 servants' house was also moved to the rear corner of the lot. The Athens YWCA, formed in 1906, used the house as a boarding home and the gymnasium for recreation, swimming, basketball and public dinners until 1980. The complex is considered the oldest surviving building in Georgia built for YWCA use. The Athletic Building was later rehabilitated for offices.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues state-level significance in architecture, entertainment/recreation and social history. The Stevens Thomas House is one of the finest remaining Greek Revival houses in Athens, and the Athletic Building is a classically inspired eclectic design by architect Fred J. Orr. The complex was the Athens YWCA headquarters from 1913 to 1980, and appears to be the oldest surviving building in Georgia built for YWCA purposes.
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 87000696, listed May 12, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 345--347 W. Hancock St., Athens |
|---|---|
| County | Clarke County |
| Listed | May 12, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87000696 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1913-1937 |
| Architect / builder | Orr, Fred J. (1874-1935), architect |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival (Stevens Thomas House); eclectic with Neoclassical influences (YWCA Athletic Building) |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Entertainment/Recreation, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The Athletic Building was rehabilitated for offices under a certified rehabilitation completed by 1985, with the swimming pool covered and the interior subdivided. The YWCO moved to new facilities in 1980 and sold the complex. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 33.95885, -83.38071 (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 87000696.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q124735353
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.