Macon Magazine

MACON IS A TREASURE TROVE of good architecture. The town has been blessed, almost from its beginning, with talented architects who have left a legacy of fine buildings for our current and future residents and visitors to enjoy. Although Macon is noted for its classical and Victorian architecture, after World War II a new kind of building design made its way into town. It was then called "modern" or "contemporary," and had its roots in early 20th century innovations. These new buildings were meant to blend into their environments. Their architects designed them to sit low, close to the ground. They specified that they be built of natural materials, of native stone and stained wood. They featured huge sheets of glass for walls of windows documented much of Macon's architecture in two well-received earlier books. Enthusiasm for mid-century design was the impetus for their new book, "Mid-Century Macon." It features 40 buildings, mostly houses, that vividly portray the richness and variety of Macon's mid-century modern legacy. The partner for this project is Historic Macon Foundation, which has a long, successful record of preserving and celebrating Macon's architectural heritage. Mid-century architecture is now designated as historic, so Historic Macon is the perfect partner to help document it. Readers interested in reserving a copy of the new book, which will be available in January, may contact Historic Macon at 478-742-5084. LOCAL BUZZ BARFIELD AND ELLIOTT TEAM UP AGAIN FOR 'MID-CENTURY MACON' to bring the outdoors inside. In short, the new buildings were a revolutionary departure from earlier ones. In Macon, several young architects began designing buildings in the new style. Among them were Jack Holliday, Bernard Webb and Jean Newton. Newton's mother was Ellamae League, a veteran Macon architect who also began to design in the new mode. Between 1945 and 1969, dozens of buildings now known as "mid-century modern" were built in Macon. Most of them still exist. Some of them are large and rather grand, some are modest, some are located on large estates and some on typical suburban lots. All of them are worthy of recognition. The team of photographer Walter Elliott and writer Jim Barfield have 28 maconmagazine.com | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022

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