Goat Town isn’t really a town and it never was, though you can locate it on a good map. It’s just down the hill from Deepstep, whose iconic old store is also associated with the Veal family. T. Jeff Veal III, who uses his grandfather’s old country store [built circa 1920] as a workshop to build custom furniture, explained to me that a large herd of goats was kept around the corner in years gone by and the name just stuck. I’ve been here a couple of times and it never ceases to amaze me; it’s widely popular with Georgia’s backroads photographers.
Here’s a great vintage slide from around 1960, shared by Brett Schneider who bought it at an estate sale. The photographer and subject are unknown at this time, but that’s likely one of the Veal boys working on his bicycle in the background.
Vanishing Georgia: Photographs by Brian Brown 
I made my 3rd visit to Goat Town and Deepstep yesterday. I live in Alaska so dont get to Georgia very often. My grandmother was Gladys Veal, daughter of Augustus. I have a photo of her taken in 1900 in Tampa with Augustus and mother Lucy Brown Veal. She must be about a year old. I ran across the Veal family geneology on the web about 10 years ago which promted my 1st trip to Washington County. Near as i can tell, Nathan Sr’s brother Edward was my great great great great great grandfather, give or take. I’m very proud to be related to such a long and distinguished part of American history.
Where exactly is Goat Town located?
Near Sandersville. And right past Deepstep!
That was my granddaddy’s store. My footprints (along with my sister and 2 cousins) are in the side door concrete entrance (if not worn off!)
Willis who is the man in the picture beside the car. He definitely has Veal features maybe an uncle?
might i remind the writer, Deepstep is just the suburb of Goat Town.
My mom’s family, Veal, are from Deepstep (via Virginia). Always good to see your work, Brian.
:DC
Thanks, Dwayne. And of course, Deepstep is just up the hill from Goat Town 🙂
Highly recommend the book of poetry DEEPSTEP COME SHINING by C.D Wright.
A wonderful work; saddened to learn of her passing.