Fitzpatrick Hotel
Why it's listed
Built in 1898 on the west side of the courthouse square in Washington, Georgia, this three-story brick hotel was commissioned by brothers T. M. and J. H. Fitzpatrick after an 1895 fire destroyed the block. Atlanta architects Golucke and Stewart gave it Queen Anne detailing, including a corner turret with an onion-shaped dome, two-story bay windows, stained glass transoms and embossed sheet metal garlands and swags. Stores occupied the ground floor, while guest rooms, a parlor and a dining room were upstairs. By 1900 it offered running water, electric lights and an elevator. The hotel served courthouse visitors, traveling salesmen and townspeople, and for many years housed the town's only restaurant. Business declined as automobiles became common, and the hotel and restaurant closed in the 1950s. It was recognized as an intact county seat hotel, notable architecturally for its rare Queen Anne treatment of a commercial building and historically for its role in the town's commerce and social life.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the hotel is a fine, largely intact example of a late-nineteenth-century county seat hotel in Georgia, with Queen Anne detailing that is unusual for a commercial building there. It reflects the commercial growth of Washington in the 1890s and served as a local meeting and eating place. It is also tied to the noted architect J. W. Golucke.
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 82000147, listed December 17, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 18 W. Public Square, Washington |
|---|---|
| County | Wilkes County |
| Listed | December 17, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82000147 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1898 |
| Architect / builder | Golucke and Stewart, Architects |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Other, Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as unoccupied since the 1950s, with some crumbling plaster but remarkably good condition; the stores on the ground floor remained in operation after the hotel and restaurant closed. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Within district | Washington Historic District |
| Coordinates | 33.73730, -82.73974 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
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 82000147.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16910354
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.