Saul, Meyer, House
Also known as: Higgenbotham Residence
Why it's listed
Built around 1902 at 304 West Johnson Street in Hartwell, Georgia, this one-and-one-half story frame house reflects the Victorian-eclectic style common in small Georgia towns. It has a steep pyramidal tin roof, multiple projecting gables, paired interior chimneys, a dormer with half-timbered detailing, and a shed-roofed porch with turned posts and balusters. The central hall, tongue-and-groove woodwork, original floors and period mantels survive inside, though some rooms were altered in the 1940s and 1960s. Myer Saul, a European-born Jewish merchant, had the house built. He came to Hartwell around 1892 to work in his brother's clothing store and later ran the business himself, becoming a well-regarded local figure. His faith was unusual in a largely Protestant region, and he mentioned it in his advertising. The house is recognized both for this local association and as a good example of a late-Victorian middle-class residence. It remains a home on a corner lot shaded by large pecan trees.
Significance in brief: The house is tied to Myer Saul, a Jewish merchant who ran a major downtown clothing business in a predominantly Protestant region and openly cited his faith in his advertising. It is also a very good example of the late-Victorian middle-class house type found in small Georgia towns, with compact massing, a high pyramidal roof, multiple gables and prominent porches.
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 86002043, listed September 11, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 304 W. Johnson St., Hartwell |
|---|---|
| County | Hart County |
| Listed | September 11, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86002043 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Victorian-eclectic |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition and still used as a residence; a non-historic car shelter was added at the rear and interior paneling and acoustical tile ceilings were added in the 1960s. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 34.35537, -82.93571 (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 86002043.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q134379003
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.