Barker, William, Whiskey Bonding Barn
Why it's listed
Set on a low rise on three acres near Molena in Pike County, Georgia, this c. 1870 brick barn was built by farmer and Civil War veteran William Thomas Barker as a storehouse for bonded whiskey. Its four-course-thick walls, stone foundation, and small barred windows set high on the sides provided security and a steady interior temperature for aging spirits. Inside, the plaster walls still carry penciled lists of seed and supplies dating from 1899. After bonding operations likely ended with the 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Act, the building served as a store for sharecroppers, a temporary cotton warehouse, a school for a year in the early 1940s, and later a place to store feed and equipment for a turkey farm. It was listed as a relatively rare, intact brick barn in Georgia and for its link to local whiskey production. A preservation group bought it in 2005 and is rehabilitating it as an event space and gallery.
Significance in brief: It is presented as a good, intact and relatively rare example of a brick barn in Georgia, built with thick walls and limited access for security and insulation. It is also tied to whiskey production and sale in Pike County, as the probable local bonding warehouse until the 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Act.
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 08000396, listed May 12, 2008. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 9450 Old Zebulon Rd., Molena |
|---|---|
| County | Pike County |
| Listed | May 12, 2008 |
| Reference number | 08000396 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c.1870-1897 |
| Architectural style | OTHER: barn |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Commerce |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently used as a museum per the function listing; the barn was empty until purchased in 2005 and is being rehabilitated as an event space and photography gallery, with the first floor boards recently removed to stabilize the foundation. |
| Acreage | 3.1 |
| Coordinates | 33.00745, -84.47075 (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.
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 08000396.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q29092818
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.