Old Medical College Building
Also known as: Augusta Garden Center
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Why it's listed
Built between 1834 and 1835 at the corner of Telfair and Sixth Streets in Augusta, this brick and stucco building was designed by Irish-born architect C.B. Cluskey for the Medical College of Georgia. Six tapered, fluted Doric columns support a simple entablature and low pediment, and inside a rotunda with eight pilasters and a dome rises above a divided stair hall. The college used the building until 1911, apart from the Civil War years when it formed part of a hospital complex. After the school moved, the Richmond Academy trustees took it back, and it stood vacant for years. In 1931 the Sandhills Garden Club began clearing the grounds and restoring the building as a garden center, funding the work with house and garden tours. Its significance rests on Cluskey's Greek Revival design, its long role in medical education, and its later adaptive use.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as one of architect C.B. Cluskey's masterpieces and a fine example of Greek Revival design. It housed the Medical College of Georgia from 1835 to 1911, including a Civil War hospital role. Its restoration by the Sandhills Garden Club from 1931 also figures in its significance.
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 72000398, listed March 16, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Telfair and 6th Sts., Augusta |
|---|---|
| County | Richmond County |
| Listed | March 16, 1972 |
| Reference number | 72000398 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | C.B. Cluskey (architect) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Education, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated June 19, 1996 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described in 1971 as in fair condition and altered, with a picturesque ruinous appearance; in use as the Augusta Garden Center. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Within district | Augusta Downtown Historic District |
| Coordinates | 33.47054, -81.96302 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
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 72000398.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14686774
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.