Toney-Standley House
Also known as: Toney, Col. William, House
Why it's listed
Located northwest of Fort Gaines in Clay County, Georgia, this two-story plantation plain house dates from the early part of the first quarter of the 19th century. It has a central hall plan, a shed porch and rear shed additions. In 1959 it was moved from its original site near Sandy Creek, now flooded by the Walter F. George Reservoir, to its present location. Alterations include asbestos shingles, vinyl siding over the original pine weatherboards, a side carport, and missing end chimneys. Original mantels, wainscotting, and a wide four-part front entrance with transom and sidelights survive. The house is valued as an example of the shift from the dog trot cabin to an enclosed hall plan. It is also associated with Colonel William Toney (1776-1857), a Creek trading post agent, and with persistent legend that Aaron Burr stayed there in 1807 while traveling to trial in Richmond.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant as an early example of the transition from the dog trot cabin plan to the more sophisticated plantation plain style with an enclosed hall. It is also tied to Colonel William Toney, a Creek Indian trading post agent, with local legend that Aaron Burr stayed there after his 1807 capture.
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 74000670, listed September 17, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | NW of Fort Gaines off GA 39, Fort Gaines |
|---|---|
| County | Clay County |
| Listed | September 17, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74000670 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century |
| Architectural style | Plantation plain |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition but altered and moved; used as a private residence, with owners undertaking a restoration. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 31.71528, -85.08902 (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 74000670.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q38251671
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.