Log Dogtrot House
Also known as: Robert C. Bryan House
Why it's listed
Set in a swept-dirt clearing among cedar, magnolia and pine trees just outside Kathleen, this log dogtrot house in Houston County, Georgia, was probably built between 1834 and 1854. Its main section has hand-hewn logs joined with square notches, an open central passageway with a room on each side, and attic rooms reached by a stair. Narrow wooden battens cover the joints between logs. Shed-roofed additions at the front and rear, likely from the 1850s, added living space, and a one-room outbuilding that may have been a kitchen remains behind the house. The house sits on stone piers, has brick chimneys with stone bases, and has never had electricity or plumbing. Hugh L. Dennard, who owned the land from 1834 to 1848, most likely built it. Dr. Robert Campbell Bryan bought it in 1856 and his family kept it for generations. It is recognized for architecture because few intact log dogtrot houses survive in Georgia.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a rare, very intact surviving example of a log dogtrot in Georgia, where only a few remain. It is also notable for its hand-hewn log construction with square corner notching and battened joints. The mid-19th-century shed additions and the kitchen outbuilding illustrate typical ways such houses were expanded.
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 91000681, listed May 30, 1991. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 0.5 mi. E of jct. of GA 247 and Story St., Kathleen |
|---|---|
| County | Houston County |
| Listed | May 30, 1991 |
| Reference number | 91000681 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c.1834-1854 |
| Architectural style | Other: dogtrot |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently used as a rental residence; no electricity or plumbing has been introduced into the house. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 32.49607, -83.60109 (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 91000681.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q105820850
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.