On 26 March 1898, for $100, Samuel and Annie Vick sold Samuel Gay a lot on Green Street adjoining the lands of Fred M. Davis and Samuel Vick. The deed was registered 11 August 1898 in Deed Book 50, page 73. This is the lot at what is now 623 East Green Street. Samuel Gay built a one-story house here that his son Albert Gay Sr. expanded to two stories. Another son, Charles Gay, built a house next door at 625 East Green.

When photographed for the East Wilson Historic District application, 623 East Green Street was still occupied by descendants of the Gay family, and its exterior appeared to be in fine condition.

Forty years later, the house is still in good condition and retains most of its most charming decorative features, such as the double porch pillars and curved brackets under the deep second-floor eaves. The sidelights framing the front door have been painted over and, unfortunately, the decorative ridge cresting disappeared when the shingle roof was replaced with a standing-seam metal roof. The portico has also been removed.

Albert Gay House, 623 East Green Street, East Wilson Historic District, Wilson, Wilson County, Survey and National Register Branch, State Historic Preservation Office; bottom photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, July 2026.