Martin, William C., House
Also known as: Dalton Regional Library
Why it's listed
Built in 1911 for Dalton lawyer and banker William C. Martin, this two-story brick house faces the Whitfield County courthouse in downtown Dalton. Its main feature is a two-story portico with six Ionic columns and a second-floor balcony, along with tall chimneys, dormer windows and original Federal Revival mantels. Brick construction set it apart from many wooden houses of the period. Martin, born in 1861, served as a state senator, chaired the county board of education for decades, and headed several banks and businesses. After his wife's death in 1947, the house became the Dalton Regional Library. Brick wings were added in 1948 and 1955 and a rear technical services wing in 1965, and the original porte-cochere was removed. The interior was adapted for library use, though the main stairway, some mantels and pocket doors remain. The house keeps its original site and much of its landscaping, and it is valued for its Neo-Classical architecture and its tie to a prominent local figure.
Significance in brief: The house is significant in architecture as an example of early 20th-century Neo-Classical design, with a two-story portico of Ionic columns, a balcony, and brick construction at a time when many houses were wood. It is significant in local history for its link to William C. Martin (1861-1941), a lawyer, bank president, state senator and long-time county school board chairman. It also keeps much of its original location, setting and integrity despite library additions.
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 82002497, listed July 15, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 101 S. Selvidge St., Dalton |
|---|---|
| County | Whitfield County |
| Listed | July 15, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82002497 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Builders - John Williams, Glynt Hamilton |
| Architectural style | Neo-Classical |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and used as the Dalton Regional Library, in good condition; the library was expected to move to new headquarters soon. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 34.77110, -84.97075 (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 82002497.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q134466940
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.