Valdosta Georgia Walking Tour

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The Lowndes County Historical Society was founded in 1967, originally establishing a small museum in a historic home on Patterson Street in Valdosta, Georgia. The Society and Museum found its current home in downtown Valdosta in the former Carnegie Library at 305 West Central Avenue in 1977. The library had built in 1913 by local architect Lloyd Greer and the structure was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. The society's founders were a group of local residents who shared the goal of preserving the history of Valdosta and Lowndes County. The objectives of the organization are to promote an interest in local history, collect and preserve documents, pictures, and artifacts pertinent to our cultural heritage, and to encourage historical research and study of our community. The museum has two floors of gallery space; the upstairs gallery contains many photographs, artifacts, and information on local events and offers displays rotated regularly. Featured downstairs is an interpretive exhibit: Lowndes County: Past, Present, and Future which takes you through the local community's development from a small frontier town to a thriving and diverse city. Industry, business, military, agriculture, transportation and local history are all covered in this detailed display. An extensive outdoor exhibit is also featured at the rear of the building. This space includes a caboose, belfry with historic school bell, cane grinding items, log transport cart, pioneer cabin, and original ecosystem and historical garden plants. In addition to the exhibits, the museum also houses an extensive archive including the Hugh Vallotton Genealogical Library. The museum's archives contain many documents, photographs, and artifacts pertaining to Lowndes County residents, businesses, societies and organizations that are invaluable to researchers.

2. Lowndes County Courthouse

The Lowndes County Courthouse is considered one of the most impressive courthouses in Georgia. Built in 1905, it is a striking example of Neoclassical architecture, combining the Greek and Moorish Revival styles. The three-story building features a grand main entrance with a large portico and four 25-foot-tall Corinthian columns; a central, two-stage tower with a lanterned dome, urns, Ionic columns, and balustrades; four smaller domes on the corners; and urns placed on the edge of the roof. When it completed, the courthouse symbolized the Valdosta's stature as an established city.

3. Converse-Dalton-Ferrell House

This elegant historic residence is the Converse-Dalton-Ferrel House, which is named after the families who lived here. It was built in 1902 by its first owner and prominent local figure, Thomas B. Converse (1854-1932), who was a successful businessman and farmer. In terms of design, the house is an excellent and interesting example of Neoclassical architecture. Notable features include a grand two-story portico with Ionic columns that wraps around the front corners of the home, two balustraded balconies on the second floor, and decorative elements such as laurel wreaths. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, the house has been since 1982 the home of the Valdosta Junior Service League, an all-women community service organization.

4. First Presbyterian Church

Erected in 1910, First Presbyterian Church is historically significant in the areas of architecture, religion, and social history. In terms of design, it is the only Greek Revival-designed church in Valdosta. Like other Greek Revival buildings, the church incorporates typical elements of this style including a portico with Corinthian columns supporting a pediment, round-arched entries, and rectangle and arched windows (some of which have stained glass). The church is home to a congregation established in 1864 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

5. Barber-Pittman House

The Barber-Pittman House is a grand Neoclassical home located along Ashley Street. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it is historically significant for its architecture and its association with the man who built it, Eugene R. Barber, who was a successful entrepreneur and prominent philanthropist. Barber built the house in 1915. Its most striking feature is the two-story portico with Ionic columns supporting a gable. The house is now the location of the Valdosta Chamber of Commerce.

6. The Crescent

This stately Victorian-era mansion utilized the classic style of architecture seen in many antebellum estates but was built in 1898. The home was built for Senator William Stanley West. The house gets its name from the circular veranda with 13 massive columnns, each representing 13 original American colonies. The grounds feature beautiful gardens maintained by the Valdosta Garden Club. The grounds also feature a schoolhouse and a small chapel. The home suffered neglect and was scheduled for demolition shortly after World War II. However, community members launched an effort to preserve the historic home in 1951. Visitors are welcome to take self-guided tours of the gardens and grounds.

This Tour is a Walking Tour.

Valdosta Georgia Walking Tour

Created by Clio Admin on December 4th 2020, 11:43:32 pm.

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Description

This walk starts at the Lowndes County Historical Museum and works its way to the Crescent, a stately Victorian-era mansion with stops at several historic homes and buildings. To learn more about the history of Valdosta, be sure to use Clio to see several other area landmarks including historical markers and the archives of Valdosta State University that include many artifacts and other items related to the history of Lowndes County.

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Valdosta Georgia Walking Tour

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