Staff Row and Old Post Area-Fort McPherson
Also known as: Original Fort McPherson
Why it's listed
Staff Row and the Old Post Area form the original core of Fort McPherson, a U.S. Army post in southwest Atlanta established in 1889. Red brick buildings with white wood trim are arranged in a quadrangle around Hedekin parade field, shaded by rows of oaks and other trees. Most have gabled roofs with hand-seamed metal roofing, common bond brickwork, arched windows and simple Doric columns. Officers' quarters along Staff Row show detailed chimney brickwork and dentilled classical trim. Quarters 10, the most impressive, is Queen Anne in style with turrets and small-paned windows. The buildings date from 1889 to 1910 and include barracks, mess halls, a post headquarters, a chapel and a hospital. The district was recognized as a good example of a late nineteenth century military post and as a surviving body of High Victorian architecture that has largely vanished elsewhere in Atlanta. The parade field hosted polo matches in the early 1900s, and the post later served as an induction center and Army headquarters.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the buildings are substantial examples of High Victorian architecture and together form the recognizable original Fort McPherson. With the parade field and shade trees, they make a good example of a late 19th century military post. Little comparable Victorian architecture survives elsewhere in Atlanta. The post also served as a hospital, an induction and separation center in World War I, and Army headquarters.
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 74000679, listed November 5, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | NE corner of Fort McPherson, Atlanta |
|---|---|
| County | Fulton County |
| Listed | November 5, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74000679 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1889-1910 |
| Architectural style | High Victorian; Quarters 10 is basically Queen Anne with classical elements |
| Areas of significance | Military, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition and occupied, with the buildings in their original red brick and white wood trim and little changed apart from added buildings and paved roads. Staff Row quarters, barracks, a chapel and administrative buildings remain in use. |
| Acreage | 33.5 |
| Within district | Staff Row and Old Post Area (Boundary Increase) |
| Coordinates | 33.71116, -84.43047 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
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 74000679.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q141758487
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.