College Hill, GA

Macon

Indian mounds in the distance
Indian mounds in the distance
One of Georgia’s most distinguished structures, the Johnston-Felton-Hay House in Macon was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1974. It was built from 1855 to 1859 in the Italian Renaissance Revival style, a marked contrast to the more restrained Greek Revival architecture of the antebellum period.

The 18,000-square-foot mansion spans four levels and is crowned by a three-story cupola. Commissioned by imaginative owners and constructed by the most skillful workers of the time, its technological amenities were unsurpassed in the mid-19th century: hot and cold running water, central heat, a speaker-tube system, in-house kitchen and an elaborate ventilation system.

Only two families lived in Hay House over three generations. Most of the museum’s furnishings date from the Hay family’s occupancy (1926-1962). A few pieces are from the Johnston family (1860-1896), most notably the Eastlake-style dining room suite. The most important piece in the collection may be the 1857 marble statue, "Ruth Gleaning," by American expatriate sculptor Randolph Rogers.

The Johnstons
William Butler Johnston was no typical nineteenth-century Southerner. He obtained his substantial wealth through investments in banking, railroads and public utilities rather than from the agrarian cotton economy. In 1851, he married Anne Clark Tracy, 20 years his junior, and the two embarked on an extended honeymoon in Europe. During their trip, the Johnston's visited hundreds of museums, historic sites and art studios. They collected fine porcelains, sculptures and paintings as mementos of their Grand Tour. The Johnston's were inspired by the Italian architecture they observed and, upon their return to America, constructed a monumental Italian Renaissance Revival mansion in Macon.

The Feltons
Completed in 1859 and called the "Palace of the South," the residence was decorated and furnished in accordance with wealth and good taste. It became a beloved home for the Johnston's, their daughters and their extended family. After the death of Mrs. Johnston in 1896, daughter Mary Ellen and her husband William H. Felton lived in the house. They remodeled and redecorated parts of the house, updated the plumbing and added electricity.

The Hays
After the deaths of Judge and Ms. Felton in 1926, Felton heirs sold the house to Parks Lee Hay, founder of the Banker's Health & Life Insurance Company. The Hays substantially redecorated the house to reflect the changing character of twentieth-century living, and the house at 934 Georgia Avenue continued to be recognized as a local landmark for gracious living during the Hay ownership.

After Mrs. Hay's death in 1962, her heirs established the P.L. Hay Foundation and operated the house as a private house museum. In 1977, ownership of the house was formally transferred to the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. The house has been operated by the Trust since that time and has been designated as a National Historic Landmark.
Cannonball House
Cannonball House

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College Hill Hotel Deals

1842 Inn

1842 Inn

3.5 out of 5
353 College St Macon GA
$177 nightly
The price is $209 total per night from Mar 15 to Mar 16
$209 total
Mar 15 - Mar 16
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this golf B&B in Macon. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,003 reviews)
Great location and walkable.

Reviewed on Mar 5, 2026

1842 Inn
Well Equipped Clean Comfy Downtown APT with Parking

Well Equipped Clean Comfy Downtown APT with Parking

Macon GA
$130 nightly
The price is $155 total per night from Mar 18 to Mar 19
$155 total
Mar 18 - Mar 19
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this apartment in Macon. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Sidney Lanier Cottage and Carmichael House are ...
Well Equipped Clean Comfy Downtown APT with Parking
Best Western Riverside Inn

Best Western Riverside Inn

2.5 out of 5
2400 Riverside Dr Macon GA
$78 nightly
The price is $97 total per night from Mar 29 to Mar 30
$97 total
Mar 29 - Mar 30
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Macon. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,518 reviews)
This motel was comfortable and clean. Breakfast was good. An excellent value !

Reviewed on Mar 6, 2026

Best Western Riverside Inn
Wingate by Wyndham Macon I-75

Wingate by Wyndham Macon I-75

2.5 out of 5
100 Northcrest Blvd Macon GA
$78 nightly
The price is $97 total per night from Mar 29 to Mar 30
$97 total
Mar 29 - Mar 30
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Macon. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,067 reviews)
Overall the hotel was nice and I would stay again, however the pillows are really small. We had a king size bed and the pillows were barely the size of a standard pillow. The back of the bathroom door wasn't cleaned as they was something splashed across the back and it had some spots near the handle. ...

Reviewed on Mar 5, 2026

Wingate by Wyndham Macon I-75
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Macon

Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Macon

2 out of 5
2020 Bowman Park Macon GA
$70 nightly
The price is $88 total per night from Mar 29 to Mar 30
$88 total
Mar 29 - Mar 30
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Macon. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,007 reviews)
Nice and clean

Reviewed on Mar 5, 2026

Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Macon
Red Roof Inn & Suites Macon

Red Roof Inn & Suites Macon

2 out of 5
2720 Riverside Drive Macon GA
$57 nightly
The price is $74 total per night from Mar 29 to Mar 30
$74 total
Mar 29 - Mar 30
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Macon. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
AC worked great, room and towels refreshed daily. Staff is friendly hotel is very clean. Breakfast isn’t a large selection but adequate for the price. Will stay here again. Only complaint is I have a room close to the elevator which is quite annoying but probably not something that can be avoided! ...

Reviewed on Mar 5, 2026

Red Roof Inn & Suites Macon
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.

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Other neighborhoods around College Hill

One of Georgia’s most distinguished structures, the Johnston-Felton-Hay House in Macon was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1974. It was built from 1855 to 1859 in the Italian Renaissance Revival style, a marked contrast to the more restrained Greek Revival architecture of the antebellum period.

The 18,000-square-foot mansion spans four levels and is crowned by a three-story cupola. Commissioned by imaginative owners and constructed by the most skillful workers of the time, its technological amenities were unsurpassed in the mid-19th century: hot and cold running water, central heat, a speaker-tube system, in-house kitchen and an elaborate ventilation system.

Only two families lived in Hay House over three generations. Most of the museum’s furnishings date from the Hay family’s occupancy (1926-1962). A few pieces are from the Johnston family

Macon Historic District

While visiting Macon Historic District, you might make a stop by sights like Hay House and Grand Opera House.

Macon Historic District
Macon skyline

Pleasant Hill Historic District

When in Pleasant Hill Historic District, you can plan a visit to The Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House and Hay House, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Pleasant Hill Historic District
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Tindall Heights Historic District

Though Tindall Heights Historic District might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Tubman Museum and Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

Tindall Heights Historic District
The Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House featuring interior views and a house

Vineville Historic District

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Vineville Historic District and surrounding area, you can visit The Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House and Hay House.

Vineville Historic District
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Cherokee Heights Historic District

Though Cherokee Heights Historic District might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like The Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House and Hay House.

Cherokee Heights Historic District
Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park in Macon, Georgia, preserves  earthworks built before 1000 CE by the South Appalachian Mississippian culture. Great Temple Mound, Lesser Temple Mound and trail

North Highlands Historic District

North Highlands Historic District might not have many top sights, but Macon Coliseum and Hay House are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

North Highlands Historic District


College Hill, GA

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