Leonard-Akin House
Why it's listed
Built around 1914 at 309 East Union Street in Vienna, Georgia, this two-story brick-veneer house is a local example of Neoclassical Revival design. It was built by P. G. Busbee, a Vienna contractor and the father of George Busbee, who later served as governor of Georgia. The house sits three blocks east of the town square and courthouse. Its symmetrical front facade has a center door with leaded glass, a transom and sidelights, flanked by paired one-over-one windows. A full-length porch carries paired Ionic columns and single Tuscan columns, and a porte-cochere extends from the east side. Eaves are boxed with modillions beneath a wide frieze band. Inside, rooms are arranged around a central stair hall, with plaster walls, wood floors and fireplace mantels. A c.1914 brick carriage house, now an apartment, is also on the lot. The house is notable as the only two-story, brick-veneer home in its neighborhood and for its intact style and landscape.
Significance in brief: The house is significant under Criterion C for architecture as a good, intact example of a Neoclassical Revival house in Georgia. It conveys the style through its symmetrical front facade, paired windows, modillioned eaves, a wide frieze band, a full-length porch with Ionic and Tuscan columns, and a porte-cochere. It is also the only two-story, brick-veneer house in its neighborhood.
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 97000054, listed February 14, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 309 E. Union St., Vienna |
|---|---|
| County | Dooly County |
| Listed | February 14, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97000054 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c.1914 |
| Architect / builder | Mr. P.G. Busbee |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals/Neo-Classical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently used as a single dwelling; the carriage house is currently an apartment. The owners completed a certified rehabilitation in 1995. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 32.10013, -83.79164 (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 97000054.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q85776271
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.