Kress
Why it's listed
Built around 1918 at 1117 Broadway in Columbus, Georgia, this two-story brick building was constructed for the S. H. Kress Company as a variety store. City directories show the Kress listing expanding from 1117 to 1117-1119 in 1918, suggesting the present building enlarged earlier facilities. The brick is beige with a pink cast, set with dusty rose mortar. A row of four bays on the second floor is divided by pilasters with sandstone bases and capitals, supporting an entablature with a sandstone architrave, vertically laid brick frieze and pressed-metal modillion cornice. Sandstone window surrounds with keystones, two-over-two sash windows and geometric metal transoms add detail, and the parapet carries the metal letters K-R-E-S-S. The building is described as the largest, most complete example of commercial neoclassicism on Broadway. It served as a leading downtown dime store for 61 years before closing in 1979, and it reflects the type of Kress store built in downtown areas in the early twentieth century.
Significance in brief: The building is cited as a fine example of commercial neoclassicism, with pilasters, a complete entablature and consistent window treatment. It is described as the largest, most complete example of that style on Broadway. It also served the Columbus community as a leading downtown dime store for 61 years and is typical of Kress stores built in downtown areas in the early 1900s.
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 80001180, listed September 29, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1117 Broadway, Columbus |
|---|---|
| County | Muscogee County |
| Listed | September 29, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80001180 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Neo-Classical-Commercial |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as vacant; the store closed in 1979. Integrity is described as altered but intact. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 32.46728, -84.99362 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 80001180.
- 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.