Harris, Joel Chandler, House
Also known as: The Wren's Nest; Snap Bean Farm
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Why it's listed
Known as the Wren's Nest, this one-and-one-half story frame house at 1050 Gordon Street in Atlanta was the home of author and journalist Joel Chandler Harris from 1881 until his death in 1908. Harris first rented the cottage, then bought it with about five acres and enlarged it for a household that included six children. He added a wide porch with latticed arches, many gables and a second-floor room, creating the rambling cottage seen today. He called the place Snap Bean Farm. Here he did most of his writing, including the Uncle Remus tales that made him famous after they appeared in the Atlanta Constitution and in book form from 1880. The name Wren's Nest came from a wren that nested in the mailbox in 1900. The interior keeps Victorian furnishings, stained glass windows and Harris's own bedroom with his belongings. A memorial association bought the house soon after his death and operates it as a museum on about three acres.
Significance in brief: It was the home of Joel Chandler Harris from 1881 until his death in 1908, and he wrote most of his work there, including the Uncle Remus stories. Harris was a prominent Southern journalist and editor of the Atlanta Constitution. The house is largely unchanged and retains his bedroom, original furniture and personal belongings.
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 66000281, listed October 15, 1966. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1050 Gordon St., SW, Atlanta |
|---|---|
| County | Fulton County |
| Listed | October 15, 1966 |
| Reference number | 66000281 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1881-1908 |
| Architectural style | Victorian (interior described as simple Victorian); asymmetrical frame cottage with many gables and latticed porch |
| Areas of significance | Literature |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated December 19, 1962 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition and virtually unchanged; operated as a museum by the Joel Chandler Harris Memorial Association, with some interior wall coverings and details needing restoration. |
| Acreage | 3 |
| Within district | Oakland City Historic District |
| Coordinates | 33.73750, -84.42235 (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 66000281.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6213308
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.