The Gaskin Avenue Historic District is significant in the area of architecture for its large, intact collection of historic homes constructed from the through the that represent the major architectural styles and house types constructed throughout this area of the State during the late-nineteenth century through the early-twentieth century. The district also is significant in the area of community planning and development for its representation of middle class residential development in Douglas.
The district also is significant in the area of landscape architecture as a representative example of late-nineteenth through early-twentieth century residential landscaping in Georgia communities characterized by tree lined streets bordered by curbs and sidewalks with uniformly set back houses and informally landscaped front yards. GASKIN AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD HABS No. GA-~ (Page 2) Description: The Ga?kin Avenue Historic District is a large residential area of approximately 200 acres, located north and east of downtown Douglas, Georgia. The district developed concurrently with the downtown area, which experienced its greatest period of growth beginning in the late-nineteenth century with the advent of rail service to Douglas.
The Gaskin Avenue Historic District is laid out in a grid pattern, which is a continuation of the pattern of development within the downtown district. This grid pattern was originally laid out in with the founding of the community of Douglas, and was centered around the focal point of the community, the courthouse square The two primary east-west corridors emanating from the courthouse square are Ward and Ashley Streets, which are also the primary east-west routes within the Gaskin Avenue Historic District. The earliest development in the Gaskin Avenue Historic District developed along these two streets, and along the primary north-south corridor, Gaskin Avenue Today, some of the oldest and most stylistic residences within the district are observed along these streets.
Among the high styles of turn-of-the-century architecture that are represented include Queen Anne, Nee-Classical Revival and Italian Renaissance Revival. In addition to the above noted styles, the Gaskin Avenue Historic District also contains many examples of Craftsman Bungalows that were constructed from the through the These buildings are found throughout the district, and are clearly representative of a move from the more ornate to the practical. Also noted within the Gaskin Avenue Historic District are a number of more modest examples of architecture, particularly examples of vernacular buildings.
Many of these residences developed along the north side of the district along Madison Avenue and in the area between Jackson and Gordon Streets, as well as on the south side of the district between the railroad tracks and Ethel Street. Among the examples of (1) National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Downtown Douglas Historic District, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Historic Preservation Division, p. 3. National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Gaskin Avenue Historic District, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Historic Preservation Division, p. 3. GASKIN AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD HABS No. GA-~ (Page 3) vernacular architecture that are noted include the Central Hallway house type and the Georgian Cottage.
Several historic community buildings are also extant throughout the Gaskin Avenue Historic District. These include the c. Colonial Revival style St. Paul Catholic Church located on the northwest corner of East Ward Street and North.Coweta Avenue, the c. former Douglas Hospital located on East Ward Street at Dewey Avenue and the c. Craftsman style Douglas Woman's Club located on North Coffee Avenue at Sellers Street. In addition, several non-historic community buildings have been constructed within the Gaskin Avenue Historic District.
The First Baptist Church of Douglas located on East Ward Street and North Gaskin Avenue, and the Coffee County Commissioners Office located on East Ward Street and Dewey Avenue are examples of non-historic buildings that have been added to the district since the historic period. Landscaping also is a very important aspect of the Gaskin Avenue Historic District. The majority of the landscaping found in the district is typical of the type of residential landscaping commonly found in many southern residential communities that developed between the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries. This includes the tree-lined streets and uniformly set-back houses with front yards bordered by curbs and sidewalks ( 3) .
History: As stated previously, the Gaskin Avenue Historic District developed concurrently with the downtown area, beginning in the late-nineteenth century with the advent of the railroad. Prior to the establishment of rail service to Douglas in the community was primarily agriculturally oriented, with small businesses that supported this agricultural activity. However, in the decade prior to the advent of the railroad, local businessmen also began to see the profitability from the abundance of pine forests in the area. As a re$ult, several lumber and turpentine businesses began to develop. With the advent of the railroad, these businesses flourished such that Douglas and Coffee County soon became the world leader in naval stores production (3) Ibid. p. 4.
(4) National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: D?wntown Douglas Historic District, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Historic Preservation Division, p. 11. GASKIN AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD HABS No. GA-~ (Page 4) As economic growth occurred, various other types of businesses began to develop throughout the community. These included the Coffee County Bank and the Douglas Hotel Additionally, the production of tobacco in the area surrounding Douglas became the region's second most important export as rail service provided access to market centers throughout the state.
Increased business activity also prompted municipal improvements such as the installation of street lights and water lines, and the paving of roads and sidewalks As commercial activity progressed in Douglas, so too did the development of nearby residential areas, most particularly the Gaskin Avenue Historic District. The larger, most ornate residences built along Gaskin Avenue were home to some of the community's most prosperous citizens; those who made their fortunes from the naval stores industry or the tobacco industry (7) . Other more modest residences within the district provided homes for citizens of more moderate incomes. The Gaskin Avenue Historic District also contains one c. church, a c. former hospital and the c. Craftsman style Douglas Woman's Club.
Today, the Gaskin Avenue Historic District continues to be a thriving residential neighborhood. While some of the residences along East Ward Street have been converted to off ice space for legal or medical services, most of the buildings within the district are still used as residences, and are owner occupied. (5) Ibid, p. 11. Ibid. (7) Ibid. GASKIN AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD HABS No. GA-~ (Page 5) Z:.!ilJ~f References Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Historic Preservation Division, National Register of Historjc Places Regjstratjon Form Downtown Doug) as Hj stori c Dj strict, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Historic Preservation Division, National Register of Hjstorjc Places Registration Form Gaskin Avenue Historic District, .. ~ F23 1 ~ 0 ._. \ 0 "' . : r'i !r . .
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