Converse-Dalton House
Also known as: Converse-dalton House; Old Colonial Home
Why it's listed
Built in 1902 at 305 N. Patterson Street in Valdosta, this three-story Neoclassical house was designed for Thomas Briggs Converse and his family of 13 children. Its monumental two-story portico wraps around the front and curves at the corners, supported by Ionic columns. Inside, Tennessee curly golden oak paneling, Corinthian columns, domed plaster ceilings and a third-floor ballroom show the scale of the design. Contemporary newspapers reported a cost of $16,000 and praised its materials and craftsmanship. The house was built by Valdosta builder Stephen F. Fulgham with Atlanta architect Alexander F. N. Everett. It is described as one of the earliest, largest and most impressive Neoclassical houses in Georgia. Converse, a merchant and farmer, sold it around 1915, and later owners ran it as a boarding house. Commercial development has since replaced its original grounds. It was listed for its architectural quality and its link to a prominent local family.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an exceptionally fine and well-preserved turn-of-the-century Neoclassical house, notable for its size, its elaborate detailing and its curved monumental portico. It is also significant in local history as the home of Thomas B. Converse, a prominent Valdosta businessman and farmer. Its association with architect Alexander Everett and builder Stephen Fulgham adds to its architectural importance.
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 83000233, listed April 28, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 305 N. Patterson St., Valdosta |
|---|---|
| County | Lowndes County |
| Listed | April 28, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83000233 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Stephen F. Fulgham/Alexander F. N. Everett |
| Architectural style | Neoclassical |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied at the time of nomination; in fair to good condition, with some deterioration of the roof and front portico floor. Owned by a civic club that planned restoration and reuse as club headquarters. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Valdosta Commercial Historic District (Boundary Increase) |
| Coordinates | 30.83342, -83.27995 (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 83000233.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16951309
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.