Barnes Building, 477 Cotton Avenue, Macon, Bibb County, GA

Significance: The Barnes and Barnes Building was constructed in 1884 and was part of a commercial manufacturing strip along First Street. By 1908, Cotton Avenue was cut across the corner of First Street. An addition was added to the facade of the building to accommodate the new angle of the street. By 1924, a structure was built on to the north side of the building and at this time the adjacent building on the south was demolished and a gas station was built on the site. By 1939, the use of the Barnes Building was changed. Barnes and Barnes Insurance Agency occupied the building for offices and continued operation there until 1980. In 1961, one story was added to the back of the structure and between 1971 and 1974, the attached structure on the north side was demolished as was the gas station to the south. The building's historical and architectural integrities have been compromised by the changes that have occurred both to and around the building. No longer is there a commercial/manufacturing strip to anchor the building to the streetscape. The addition and removal of many historic characteristics have changed the architectural style and the historical integrity of the building has been compromised.
Survey number: HABS GA-2244
Building/structure dates: 1884 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: 1924 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: 1939 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: 1961 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: 1972 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: 1992 Demolished