Georgia has added three new sites to the National Register of Historic Places, expanding recognition of its historic resources. The recent listings include the Downtown Albany Commercial Historic District in Dougherty County, the Thomson Commercial Historic District in McDuffie County, and Cross Roads School in Brooks County.
These nominations align with the mission of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) Historic Preservation Division (HPD), which aims to promote preservation and use of historic places throughout the state. According to HPD, public awareness is key to encouraging more preservation efforts and understanding how historic resources affect social and economic life.
As of December 11, 2025, Georgia has a total of 2,228 listings representing over 90,000 resources on the National Register.
The Downtown Albany Commercial Historic District consists of buildings that reflect Albany’s role as Southwest Georgia’s largest city from 1885 to 1975. Changes implemented in response to declining prominence during the 1960s included accommodating automobile parking and shifting away from a primarily commercial character by 1975. “Downtown Albany Commercial Historic District was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on July 15, 2025. The nomination was sponsored by the City of Albany, and nomination materials were prepared by Ray, Ellis, & LaBrie, LLC.”
The Thomson Commercial Historic District serves as a commercial hub for McDuffie County and surrounding areas. Mid-20th-century developments reflected growing dependence on automobiles with features like off-street parking and drive-through banking services. Architectural styles present in this district include Beaux Arts, Greek Revival, Colonial Revival Mission Revival, Art Deco, and Moderne. This update expands upon an original listing from 1989 to account for newly significant resources and changes within the district. “Thomson Commercial Historic District was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on July 15, 2025. It was sponsored by Forward McDuffie, and nomination materials were prepared by Ethos Preservation, LLC.”
Cross Roads School is recognized for its significance in education history and Black heritage as an example of early-20th-century efforts to improve schooling for African Americans in rural Georgia. Built in 1928 following standardized Rosenwald School plans designed for efficiency and improved learning environments for Black children at that time, it retains its original structure despite deterioration. “Cross Roads School was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on July 3, 2025. The nomination was sponsored by Cross Road Community Center, Inc., and nomination materials were prepared by Dr. Leroy Hunter, President of Cross Road Community Center, Inc.”
The DCA’s HPD oversees programs such as environmental review processes for historic sites; grants; surveys; tax incentives; support for community assistance; as well as administration related to the National Register.