Vineville (31204)
The large, sprawling and diverse neighborhood just beyond Intown and downtown Macon, in a northwesterly direction, is called Vineville. This was once a separate rural “village” with its own train stop from Macon. It is called “Vineville” because, in early days, the idea that grapes would proliferate and vineyards would flourish drove many of the large properties to give this somewhat unexpected crop a try. Although the concept did not exactly succeed, the area did produce a number of flourishing neighborhoods which began to be developed in the latter part of the 19th century.
The main traffic artery, Vineville Avenue, is the spine which connects the neighborhood and anchors the pretty regular grid of streets. (Until well into the second half of the 20th century, Vineville Avenue was a two-lane road with overarching trees creating a tunnel-like effect. It is now the main traffic artery connecting downtown and north Macon.)
The neighborhood usually considered to be “Vineville” essentially begins at the interstate and goes out to just past the intersection of Pierce / Pio Nono and Vineville Avenue. Main streets are Rogers, Calloway and Corbin Avenues, Buford Place, Clayton Street and Hines Terrace on the river side of Vineville Avenue; and Buckingham, English, Oak Haven and Cleveland Avenues on the left side (going away from town). The compact area of Stanislaus is also considered to be part of Vineville as are numerous other shorter streets which are beyond Pierce / Pio Nono Avenues.
The area is characterized by eclectic architecture in a wide range of sizes, dating mostly from the late 19th century through the period between the World Wars, although there are several ante-bellum houses which date from when the area was farmland. An extensive sidewalk system, with grassy separations from the streets, adds to its charm. Many of the houses also have garages at the rear of the properties as a great deal of the area was developed when automobiles were becoming more prevalent.
Vineville has the advantages of a variety of price points and an extremely convenient location. It has a very active neighborhood association and its residents often band together to protect their neighborhood from unwanted developments as well as joining forces to enhance the area with group activities.
Within the larger neighborhood are smaller, more defined, areas with their own identities. Stanislaus is one of these and is considered to be one of Macon’s most prestigious addresses. It consists of an unusual grouping of architectural styles and was developed on the site of St. Stanislaus College, a Jesuit institution which burned in 1921.
The Vineville neighborhood never fails to impress residents and visitors alike with its old-fashioned charm and feel.
