MidTown

Columbus

The Wynn House was built in 1839 when the city of Columbus was 11 years old. Greek Revival in style, the house has doric columns on three sides and is topped with a cupolo. Originally named “Oakview,” the house was built by Colonel William Wynn, for whom the Wynnton area of Columbus is named.

In 1852 Henry Hurt purchased the home from Colonel Wynn, but sold it in 1855 having never lived in it.  The next owner, Mr. Hines Holt, was a prominent Georgia congressman and attorney.  During the Civil War, his ownership saved the home from the Union Army captain sent to burn the homes in this area.  The home remained in the Holt family for 50 years. 

In 1905, Mr. J. T. (Tom) Cooper purchased the house and moved the structure closer to Wynnton Road so the land behind the house could be subdivided.  Local legend supports that the house was moved a little too close to Wynnton Road when the mule team moving the house was left unattended at lunchtime! 

In 1932 the house was bought and completely restored by Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Butler. The historic structure became the home of the CFA in 1958.
The Wynn House was built in 1839 when the city of Columbus was 11 years old. Greek Revival in style, the house has doric columns on three sides and is topped with a cupolo. Originally named “Oakview,” the house was built by Colonel William Wynn, for whom the Wynnton area of Columbus is named.

In 1852 Henry Hurt purchased the home from Colonel Wynn, but sold it in 1855 having never lived in it.  The next owner, Mr. Hines Holt, was a prominent Georgia congressman and attorney.  During the Civil War, his ownership saved the home from the Union Army captain sent to burn the homes in this area.  The home remained in the Holt family for 50 years. 

In 1905, Mr. J. T. (Tom) Cooper purchased the house and moved the structure closer to Wynnton Road so the land behind the house could be subdivided.  Local legend supports that the house was moved a little too close to Wynnton Road when the mule team moving the house was left unattended at lunchtime! 

In 1932 the house was bought and completely restored by Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Butler. The historic structure became the home of the CFA in 1958.
The family of author Carson McCullers moved to this house in 1927. Here Lula Carson Smith spent her formative years 10-17 and here she began to write, putting on shows in the two sitting rooms, using the sliding doors as curtains and drafting brother Lamar and sister Rita as actors. Shows grew into plays, stories and novels. She left to study writing in New York in 1934. When a teacher told her that the best stories can be found in one's own back yard, her "green arcade" of trees drew her home again. In the summer of 1935 she met James Reeves McCullers, Jr., whom she married in the garden here in Sept., 1937. They moved to North Carolina where the young author completed her first novel The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. During World War II, with Reeves overseas, Carson lived in New York but often returned home to work and rest. She liked to sit in the kitchen, absorbing its warmth, the aroma of food cooking and the conversation of the cook. In her front bedroom she kept her piano and the typewriter where she worked on her novel, and later prize winning-play, The Member of the Wedding. After the death of her father in 1944, Carson and her mother made their home in Nyack, N.Y.
"St. Elmo", one of the most exquisite examples of the classic houses in America, stands in view of this point, it was built on the old Stagecoach Road by Colonel Seaborn Jones, for his wife, Mary Howard Jones. Completed in 1833, it was originally called "El Dorado." Here, Augusta Jane Evans visited her aunt and found inspiration for her celebrated novel "St. Elmo."

As a member of Governor Troup's staff, Seaborn Jones came to the site of Columbus with LaFayette in 1825. Lawyer, painter, solicitor-general of the Ocmulgee Circuit (1817-1818), he was member of Congress in 1835-45- 47. President James K. Polk, President Millard Fillmore, Henry Clay, and General Winfield Scott were distinguished visitors entertained in this house by Colonel Jones.

In 1878, the place became the home of Captain and Mrs. James J. Slade and the name changed to St. Elmo. Captain Slade once conducted a girls school here.
In 1844, Lambert Spencer built a simple Greek Revival home detailed with Doric columns and acanthus leaves. In 1868, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Bowers enlarged and beautified the home. Mr. Bowers added tow hexagonal wings and hired an itinerant painter to paint three ceiling frescoes. Mrs. Bowers, with the help of an English gardener, laid out a formal butterfly-shaped garden. The kitchen was a separate building, joined to the house by a covered porch. Other outbuildings included a two-story servant house, smokehouse, well, wash house, barn and cow shed. The house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

Popular places to visit


Top hotels in MidTown

Howard Johnson by Wyndham Columbus Fort Moore

Howard Johnson by Wyndham Columbus Fort Moore

2.5 out of 5
3201 Macon Rd, Suite A Columbus GA
The price is RM235 per night from 17 Jan to 18 Jan
RM235
RM295 total
17 Jan - 18 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Columbus. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
6/10 (377 reviews)
Friendly reception.

Reviewed on 25 Dec 2025

Howard Johnson by Wyndham Columbus Fort Moore
Stylish 3BR Retreat w Porch and garden

Stylish 3BR Retreat w Porch and garden

2 out of 5
1631 18th Ave Columbus GA
The price is RM532 per night from 9 Feb to 10 Feb
RM532
RM1,401 total
9 Feb - 10 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this holiday home in Columbus. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Weracoba Park and Wild wood park are located nearby.
Stylish 3BR Retreat w Porch and garden
Midtown Castle - Royal in Columbus

Midtown Castle - Royal in Columbus

2 out of 5
1414 Dinglewood Dr Columbus GA
Stay at this holiday home in Columbus. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Columbus Museum and Bradley Museum are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
I loved everything about the property, I will be booking again.

Reviewed on 17 Oct 2025

Midtown Castle - Royal in Columbus
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Columbus North

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Columbus North

3 out of 5
1711 Rollins Way Columbus GA
The price is RM434 per night from 19 Jan to 20 Jan
RM434
RM528 total
19 Jan - 20 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Columbus. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,389 reviews)
Amenities were great.

Reviewed on 2 Jan 2026

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Columbus North
Days Inn by Wyndham Columbus-North Fort Moore

Days Inn by Wyndham Columbus-North Fort Moore

2.5 out of 5
3452 Macon Rd Columbus GA
The price is RM224 per night from 17 Jan to 18 Jan
RM224
RM282 total
17 Jan - 18 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Columbus. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7/10 Good! (1,000 reviews)
Yes

Reviewed on 3 Jan 2026

Days Inn by Wyndham Columbus-North Fort Moore
City Mills Hotel

City Mills Hotel

3.5 out of 5
1801 1st Ave Columbus GA
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Columbus. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in their ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (1,080 reviews)
We loved the hotel, the space, and the vibe. Shame we stayed only one night. It was spacious, immaculate, and we had the best sleep of pur trip. Although the hotel doesn't have dedicated parking (which was the only inconvenience), there is plenty of public parking. There is a coffee, a bar, and a ...

Reviewed on 9 Jan 2026

City Mills Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around MidTown

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Peacock Woods-Diamond Circle Historic District

Though Peacock Woods-Diamond Circle Historic District may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Columbus Museum and Springer Opera House.

Peacock Woods-Diamond Circle Historic District
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Wynnton Village Historic District

While there might not be top attractions in Wynnton Village Historic District, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Columbus Museum and Springer Opera House.

Wynnton Village Historic District
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Briarwood

While Briarwood may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Columbus Museum and Springer Opera House.

Briarwood
"St. Elmo", one of the most exquisite examples of the classic houses in America, stands in view of this point, it was built on the old Stagecoach Road by Colonel Seaborn Jones, for his wife, Mary Howard Jones. Completed in 1833, it was originally called "El Dorado." Here, Augusta Jane Evans visited her aunt and found inspiration for her celebrated novel "St. Elmo."

As a member of Governor Troup's staff, Seaborn Jones came to the site of Columbus with LaFayette in 1825. Lawyer, painter, solicitor-general of the Ocmulgee Circuit

Weracoba-St. Elmo Historic District

While Weracoba-St. Elmo Historic District may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Columbus Museum and Springer Opera House.

Weracoba-St. Elmo Historic District
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Dinglewood Historic District

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Dinglewood Historic District and surrounding area, you can visit Columbus Museum and Springer Opera House.

Dinglewood Historic District
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East Highlands

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in East Highlands and surrounding area, you can visit Columbus Museum and Springer Opera House.

East Highlands


MidTown