Preserve America Community:
Monticello, Georgia
Monticello (population 2,428) is the county seat of Jasper County, Georgia, and a focal point along the Monticello Crossroads Scenic Byway. The rolling farmland and pine forests on the byway reflect the agricultural heritage of the community since its founding in 1808.
The Monticello National Register Historic District encompasses much of the community. The central commercial area and surrounding residential neighborhoods include a wide variety of historic architectural styles, including Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne, Second Empire, Colonial, Neoclassical, English Tudor, and Craftsman.
In 1998, the city initiated a façade improvement program to assist merchants in the downtown business district. Particular focus was paid to improving properties on the community's town square. The program has helped to transform the central business district from a collection of empty, decaying buildings to a lively, attractive shopping district.
Contributing to the revitalization of downtown was the city's purchase and rehabilitation of the Benton Supply Department Store (1903) for use as its City Hall. The sales room, complete with historic fixtures, is used as Monticello's Visitor Center. Monticello also promotes heritage tourism through membership in Georgia's Historic Heartland Travel Association.
Monticello adopted an historic preservation ordinance in 1988, which is administered by the Monticello Historic Preservation Commission. Designation of seven locally designated districts has brought most of the properties in the historic district under the protection of the local ordinance. Detailed design review guidelines assist property owners in helping to preserve Monticello's historic character.
For more information
Monticello Historic Preservation Commission: www.monticelloga.org/site/page3456.html
Georgia's Historic Heartland:
www.historicgeorgia.org
Crossroads Scenic Byway:
www.byways.org/browse/byways/13245/
Updated April 21, 2009