Look for a large, white two-story mansion with tall Ionic columns and a striking octagonal cupola right above the front porch, set back behind a black iron fence at the corner of Georgia Avenue and College Street.
Welcome to the grand Carmichael House-look up and you’ll see sunlight glinting off that unusual octagonal tower, almost as if the house itself is keeping an eye on Macon! Built all the way back in 1848 for Judge Cadwalader Raines, this mansion was designed by local builder Elam Alexander, who really knew how to make an entrance-just imagine a carriage rolling up with wheels crunching over the gravel driveway. The mansion was famous for its free-standing spiral staircase that soars right up to the cupola, giving the place a dazzling centerpiece. Alexander went all out here: columned porches, pilasters, and a dentillated cornice make this house the perfect show-off for Greek Revival style. But poor Judge Raines never had kids, so after he passed in 1856, the house changed hands, eventually landing with the Carmichaels in the 20th century. Through all its changes, the mansion has been called “a striking and detailed example” of its style, earning its spot as a National Historic Landmark. Whether you’re a fan of grand entrances, twisty staircases, or just curious about who climbed those stairs before you, the Carmichael House is a Macon must-see!
