Gillespie-Selden Historic District

Coordinates: 31°57′55″N 83°47′27″W / 31.96523°N 83.79083°W / 31.96523; -83.79083
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gillespie-Selden Historic District
Gillespie-Selden Historic District is located in Georgia
Gillespie-Selden Historic District
LocationRoughly bounded by the railroad, 10th St., 15th St., and 16th Ave., Cordele, Georgia
Coordinates31°57′55″N 83°47′27″W / 31.96523°N 83.79083°W / 31.96523; -83.79083
Area50 acres (20 ha)[1] or 42 acres (17 ha)[2]
Built1890
Architectural styleQueen Anne, Bungalow/craftsman
NRHP reference No.97000336[1]
Added to NRHPDecember 2, 1998

The Gillespie-Selden Historic District is a historic district in Cordele, Georgia which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.[1] It includes an "African-American residential neighborhood, the Gillespie-Selden Institute, a few commercial buildings, and several African-American churches."[2] The neighborhood was established by African-American railway workers in the late 1890s.[3]

The district is 42 acres (17 ha) in size and includes 87 contributing buildings, two contributing structures, and a contributing site.[2] The area is southwest of the downtown of Cordele, and is roughly bounded on the north by the CSX Railroad tracks and 13th Avenue, on the east by 11th St., on the south by 16th Ave. (U.S. Route 280), and on the west by 15th St.[2]

In 2022, work began on a housing development in the historic district with the hope of revitalizing the neighborhood.[4] The development, named "Gillespie Gardens", is aimed at tenants living at less than 60% of the region's median income.[4][2]

The former school and hospital building now houses a community center.[5]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e Stella Gray Bryant; Amy Pallante (October 1998). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Gillespie-Selden Historic District". National Park Service. Retrieved August 16, 2021. With accompanying 19 photos from 1995
  3. ^ Lewis, Jennifer (May 5, 2009). "Gillespie-Selden Design Charrette" (PDF). Center for Community Design and Preservation College of Environment and Design University of Georgia: 20. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Lewis, Chris (January 20, 2022). "Gillespie Gardens begins construction, revitalizing Historic District". Cordele Dispatch. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  5. ^ "History :: Gillespie Selden Rural Life Community Center".