Rock Gym
Also known as: Auditorium; Armory
Why it's listed
Built in 1941 from local Elberton granite, the Rock Gym at 45 Forest Avenue served as a National Guard armory, a school gymnasium and auditorium, and a venue for proms and theater. The T-shaped building has a two-story front block and a rear ell that held the auditorium above a ground-floor motor pool. Architect Hunter J. Price, Sr. designed it in a Stripped Classical style, and workers from the National Youth Administration and Civilian Conservation Corps carried out the construction after Elberton voters approved a bond issue in 1940. Two granite sculptures by Richard Cecchini belong to the property: an Art Moderne Phoenix above the entrance and a bust of Franklin D. Roosevelt. The building was listed for its architecture, its link to New Deal work programs, and its art. Load-bearing stone construction of this scale is uncommon in Georgia. The form reports that the building was abandoned after 1992.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is an excellent example of a WPA-era community landmark building and a rare large load-bearing stone structure in Georgia. It is tied to New Deal work programs (NYA and CCC) that supplied labor. Its two granite sculptures by Richard Cecchini are presented as notable WPA-era art.
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 98001559, listed December 31, 1998. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 45 Forest Ave., Elberton |
|---|---|
| County | Elbert County |
| Listed | December 31, 1998 |
| Reference number | 98001559 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1940-1948 |
| Architect / builder | Hunter J. Price, Sr./architect; National Youth Administration (NYA)/builder; Civilian Conservation Corporation (CCC)/builder; Newton Brothers/masons; Richard Cecchini/sculptor |
| Architectural style | Stripped Classical; Art Moderne |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Politics/Government, Art |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The form states the Rock Gym was vacated in December 1992 and is currently abandoned; current function is listed as work in progress. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 34.11083, -82.87180 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 98001559.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7354443
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.