DeVaughn-Lewis House
Why it's listed
Built about 1906 at 510 South Dooly Street in Montezuma, this two-story wood-frame house is a Neoclassical design with a two-story pedimented portico carried on four Corinthian columns, a fanlight, corbeled chimneys and modillioned eaves. Inside, a central hall divides symmetrically arranged rooms, with paneled wainscoting, sliding doors, Corinthian columns and Neoclassical mantels. A brick garage and a brick shed/greenhouse survive on the grounds. The builder, Captain James E. DeVaughn (1840-1908), ran a general merchandise business for over 40 years and accumulated a large estate in land, valued at over $500,000 at his death. The house reflected his wealth and standing. Its detailing suggests a trained architect, as yet unidentified, who probably came from a large Georgia city. From 1913 to 1935 it belonged to banker W. Minor Lewis, who helped bring a Carnegie Library to Montezuma. The house was recognized for its architecture and its link to local commerce.
Significance in brief: The house is significant in architecture as a fine example of turn-of-the-century Neoclassical design, with a massive portico, corbeled chimneys and a central-hall plan. It is significant in commerce for its builder, a general merchant of over 40 years who amassed a fortune in money and land. It is also tied to banker W. Minor Lewis, who owned it from 1913 to 1935.
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 85000937, listed May 2, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 510 S. Dooly St., Montezuma |
|---|---|
| County | Macon County |
| Listed | May 2, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85000937 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- (specific date c. 1906) |
| Architect / builder | Unknown architect; built by owner/builder James E. DeVaughn |
| Architectural style | Neoclassical |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence, in excellent condition, on its original site; alterations include 1920s upstairs baths, a partially rebuilt roof, and loss of porch corners and railings. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Coordinates | 32.29401, -84.03133 (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 85000937.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q134389712
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.