Ford, Joseph, House
Also known as: Highnote Home
Why it's listed
Built around 1850 for Joseph Ford, this small Greek Revival house sits on a level lot beside the creek at the corner of Love and Alabama Streets in Cave Spring, Georgia. The one-story, wood-frame building has a gable roof, weatherboard siding, a rear ell and two interior chimneys. A central pedimented portico with two square columns shelters a full-width porch and a trabeated entry with side and transom lights. Inside, a central hall is flanked by a single room on each side, with additional rooms at the rear. It was listed for two reasons. Architecturally, it is one of a few small Greek Revival homes in the Cave Spring area and a good example of the carpenter/builder tradition found in rural communities. Historically, it represents the type of dwelling first built by white settlers after the land opened to settlement in the 1830s, with its position near the spring typical of houses that predate the town's gridiron plan. It remains in good condition and is used as a rental residence.
Significance in brief: It is one of a few small Greek Revival residences in the Cave Spring area and a good example of its style and type. It reflects the carpenter/builder tradition common in rural areas. It also represents the kind of dwelling first built by white settlers after the land opened to settlement in the 1830s, and its spot near the spring is typical of houses built before the town grid was laid out.
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 80001043, listed June 19, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Love and Alabama Sts., Cave Spring |
|---|---|
| County | Floyd County |
| Listed | June 19, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80001043 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition; current use is rental/residence. |
| Acreage | 0.8 |
| Coordinates | 34.10638, -85.33673 (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 80001043.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q134298774
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.