| The Merrill-Maley House is a site significant to the architectural history of Jackson. It is a fine example of the Colonial Revival style characterized by the lavish use of giant order columns, overscaled and elaborately decorated fenestration, symmetrical composition and prominent roof. The popularity of the Colonial Revival style in the early twentieth century coincided with an era of unprecedented prosperity in Jackson, which was developing into Mississippi's most important commercial center. Large and impressive Colonial Revival mansions characterized the architecture of State Street and reflected the wealth, taste, and nostalgia of those who flourished in the pre-Depression economy. In the 1950s and 1960s, however, many of these expensive and old-fashioned dwellings gave way to an expanding business district and were destroyed at an alarming rate. Of those to survive, the Merrill-Maley House is among the best in terms of integrity and excellence of original design. This house was was listed on the National Register on 29 April 1982. It is included in "Jackson Landmarks" (1982) (pp. 106-107) and "Jackson's North State Street (Images of America)" (2009) (pp. 53, 103). |