Carmichael House

Carmichael House is a two-story wood frame structure built in the Greek Revival style with Ionic columns and a distinctive octagonal cupola above the roofline. Inside, columned niches line the main rooms, and a free-standing spiral staircase winds through the central tower to the cupola.

Built in 1848 by master builder Elam Alexander for a prominent judge, the house represents mid-1800s Greek Revival architecture in the South. It later passed to the Carmichael family, from whom it takes its current name.

The house reflects designs that appeared in popular American magazines of the era, showing how such fashionable plans were adapted by builders in the South. The columned porch and octagonal tower were markers of wealth and standing in the community.

The house sits on Georgia Avenue at the corner of College Street and can be viewed from the street. Since it remains private property, walk around the exterior to observe the architecture and take photographs from public areas.

A free-standing spiral staircase rises through the heart of the house and leads to the cupola above, an unusual feature for residential buildings of that era. This bold construction choice shows the builder's willingness to push beyond standard designs.