Macon in Bibb County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Bell House
⎯⎯⎯
Robert McDuffie Center for Strings
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 20, 2021
1. The Bell House Marker
Macon, Georgia
With grateful appreciation
to
Gus H. Bell, III, and Family
Savannah, Georgia
for their generous gift to Mercer University
of this magnificent building
in memory
of
Amanda Hancock Morris Bell
Loving wife, mother and grandmother
Dedicated April 10, 2008
[Second marker]
placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
[Third plaque]
World-renowned
classical strings
institute of Mercer
University
Erected by Mercer University The Charles Cox Family Trust.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.
Location. 32° 50.57′ N, 83° 38.268′ W. Marker is in Macon, Georgia, in Bibb County. It is on College Street south of Stewarts Lane, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 315 College St, Macon GA 31201, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally,
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hippie Crash Pad (within shouting distance of this marker); Gresham-Adams House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dick Wooley's Home (about 500 feet away); Historic Macon (about 600 feet away); Duane Allman's Home (about 600 feet away); Wet Willie House (about 700 feet away); Randolph-Whittle House (about 800 feet away); Hatcher-Groover-Schwartz House (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Macon.
Regarding The Bell House / Robert McDuffie Center for Strings. Excerpt from the National Register nomination for the house:
Originally built by Nathan H. Beall in 1860 , in 1865 the housewas sold to Leonidas H. Jordan, who in turn sold it to his wife's father, Captain Samuel S. Dunlap. Captain Dunlap had organized and commanded the Bibb County Cavalry during the War Between the States and was seriously wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg.Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 20, 20212. The Bell House Marker (supplemental)
Following the War, Captain Dunlap returned to Macon where he became one of the city's most successful businessmen and served two terms as a City Alderman, 1879-1882. The next year Dunlap was elected as director of the Macon & Florida Airline Company which proposed to build a railroad from Macon to Gainesville, Florida, for the purpose of transporting agricultural products. This railroad, along with others being built during this era, played an important role in the growth of the City of Macon and the State of Georgia.
Also see . . .
1. Lassiter House. National Register nomination (PDF) and photographs (PDF) submitted for the house under the name of its sixth owner (1940-1967). (Submitted on November 24, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. Hidden History: The Bell House's ties to the Allman Brothers, Beall family, and Mercer University.
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 20, 2021
3. Robert McDuffie Center for Strings Marker
3. The Bell House, an important historical landmark in Macon, is the home of the McDuffie Center for St. Brief history of the structure. (Mercer University) (Submitted on November 24, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 20, 2021
4. The Bell House/Robert McDuffie Center for Strings
Credits. This page was last revised on March 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 24, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 650 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 24, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
