Woodlands and Blythewood
Why it's listed
Woodlands and Blythewood are two Victorian cottages facing each other across a road north of Clarkesville, Georgia. The Kollock family of Savannah built them in the 1840s as summer homes, a way to escape the heat and fevers of the low country. Woodlands, the main house, is a two-story frame building with sharply pointed arches at the doorway and window, jigsaw trim in the gable, a central hall plan, and Gothic touches inside such as crenellated bookcases. It was surrounded by outbuildings and produced farm goods for the household. Blythewood, built several years later, is a one-and-a-half-story frame cottage covered in elaborate scroll work, with paired windows and joined chimneys. Both are attributed to Jarvis Van Buren and reflect the picturesque ideas of A. J. Downing. They remained in the same family, with few alterations and much original furniture, and are valued as well-preserved examples of early Victorian cottage design.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls them very well preserved examples of the picturesque early Victorian cottage, inspired by A. J. Downing's designs. They show the shift from classical symmetry to picturesque Victorian ideas. They also represent coastal Georgia families who kept summer homes in North Georgia.
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 75002121, listed December 30, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 3 mi. N of Clarkesville off U.S. 441, Clarkesville |
|---|---|
| County | Habersham County |
| Listed | December 30, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75002121 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1840's |
| Architect / builder | Jarvis Van Buren (reported builder-architect) |
| Architectural style | Early Victorian picturesque cottage (Rural Gothic, gingerbread cottage) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Both houses are privately owned and occupied as private residences; the form says few alterations were made and much original furniture remains. |
| Acreage | 45 |
| Coordinates | 34.65015, -83.49826 (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.
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 75002121.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.