Coleman, James, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1904 at 323 N. Main Street in Swainsboro, the James Coleman House is a large two-story frame residence that blends Queen Anne and Neoclassical Revival design. Its wrap-around porch with circular corner turrets, bay windows, multi-gabled roof, pedimented gables, cornice dentils and widow's walk show the mix of styles. Coleman, a local sawmill owner, finished the interior almost entirely in pine, including beaded-board walls and ceilings, floors, wainscoting, a paneled stairway and a decorative hall screen. Much of it remains unpainted and unaltered, with oak mantels, tile and overmirrors in most rooms. The house was reportedly the first in Emanuel County with indoor plumbing and electricity. A brick hot house, now a tool shed, also contributes, while a rear metal garage does not. The house was listed for its architecture as an intact example of a large, eclectic turn-of-the-century home built for a prominent citizen, and as a reminder of the large houses that once lined North Main Street.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an excellent, intact example of the combined Queen Anne and Neoclassical Revival styles common in Georgia towns around the turn of the century. Its original unpainted pine interior shows outstanding craftsmanship. It was also the first house in Emanuel County with indoor plumbing and electricity.
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 92000384, listed April 28, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 323 N. Main St., Swainsboro |
|---|---|
| County | Emanuel County |
| Listed | April 28, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92000384 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1904 |
| Architect / builder | Built by James Coleman, who owned a local sawmill |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian: Queen Anne (with Neoclassical Revival details) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Historic and current function is single dwelling, with a current commercial business use also listed; the property retains its integrity. |
| Acreage | 2.8 |
| Coordinates | 32.60086, -82.33638 (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 92000384.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q30603487
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.