Georgia has added three sites to the National Register of Historic Places, according to an announcement from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) on December 11, 2025. The new listings are 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 additions align with the mission of DCA’s Historic Preservation Division (HPD), which seeks to promote preservation and use of historic places throughout Georgia. The division aims to raise public awareness about historic property preservation and its social and economic impacts.
With these latest entries, Georgia now has a total of 2,228 listings representing 90,611 resources in the National Register as of December 11, 2025.
The Downtown Albany Commercial Historic District was recognized for its role as a regional economic center from 1885 to 1975. Its listing highlights both its historical significance and how city officials responded to changing times by planning for automobile accommodation, which eventually altered the district’s character. “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 received updated recognition reflecting boundary changes and additional documentation since its original listing in 1989. The district played a central role in local commerce and adapted to mid-20th-century shifts such as increased automobile use and changing shopping habits. It features architectural styles including Beaux Arts and Art Deco. “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 notable for its educational significance and its role in Black ethnic heritage during the early twentieth century. Built in 1928 following standardized Rosenwald School plans promoted for African American education across the South, it remains largely intact despite deterioration over time. “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.”
DCA’s HPD also oversees programs such as environmental review processes for projects affecting historic resources; it manages grants; conducts surveys; administers tax incentives; assists communities; and handles nominations to the National Register.