Located between Egypt and Guyton, Tusculum is one of several picturesque ghost towns in Effingham County. This old country store seems to be all that remains of its early history.
Category Archives: –EFFINGHAM COUNTY GA–
Rountree Grocery & Elam-Egypt Baptist Church, Egypt
Now listed for sale, the old Rountree Grocery was operated by Frank Rountree, whose wife Nita ran the post office. The Elam-Egypt Baptist Church can be seen in the background.
http://vanishingsouthgeorgia.com/category/egypt-ga/
I’ve finally solved the mystery (to me) of the origin of Egypt’s name. Confederate Major General Lafayette McLaws purchased 1572 acres in Effingham County in January 1870. His daughter, Virginia, wrote that the plantation was “named Egypt because of the fine corn raised there. The house was quite large, two stories and a very high attic–a nice porch downstairs and upstairs with columns…(there were) eight large rooms with high ceilings, large closets in each, and every one with a nice fireplace. In those days there were no toilet facilities, no electric lights. There was an outdoor kitchen, also one on the large back porch.”
Lafayette McLaws, Major General, CSA
(15 January 1821 – 24 Jul7 1897)
This material was found at John C. Oeffinger’s wonderful tribute site to General McLaws, based on his book, A Soldier’s General: Major General Lafayette McLaws, Chapel Hill, UNC Press, 2002.
http://asoldiersgeneral.com/index.html
Filed under --EFFINGHAM COUNTY GA--, Egypt GA
Colonial Vernacular House, Egypt
This has traces of French Colonial design, but since I’m not an architectural historian, I can only call it colonial vernacular. I’ve found a few similar houses in the area surrounding Savannah.
Filed under --EFFINGHAM COUNTY GA--, Egypt GA
Graham Commissary, Shawnee
Not much remains of the ghost town of Shawnee, but the Graham Commissary serves as a reminder of a time when the town was a busy railroad stop. I’m always glad to see the commissary when I’m in the area, and it remains largely unchanged over time.
Filed under --EFFINGHAM COUNTY GA--, Shawnee GA
Eclectic Cottage, Shawnee
With some elements of Craftsman architecture, as well as the eclectic scrollwork, this home was likely built in the early 1920s.
Filed under --EFFINGHAM COUNTY GA--, Shawnee GA
Italianate House, Guyton
Guyton is full of beautiful old homes like this one; it’s one of the prettiest little towns in all of Southeast Georgia.
Filed under --EFFINGHAM COUNTY GA--, Guyton GA
Mars Theatre, 1945, Springfield
Operated as a theatre from 1945 until 1957, the Mars was a popular gathering place in Springfield. After many years of alternative use and eventually a state of decline, the City of Springfield, with the assistance of the Fox Theatre Institute, is in the process of renovating this important landmark. The glass brick entryway has already been replaced, as seen in the image below.
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Auditorium
Lobby
Balcony
Here, Springfield City Manager Brett Bennett inspects the projection booth. Brett, along with Gussie Nease and Erin Rahn, are leading the local effort to bring back this landmark with the assistance of the Fox Theatre Institute. The Institute is the nation’s leading theatre preservation organization.
Filed under --EFFINGHAM COUNTY GA--, Springfield GA
Effingham County Methodist Campground, 1790
Thought to be the oldest campmeeting in continuous existence in the South, the Effingham County Methodist Campground has been held at several locations since 1790, with the present tabernacle dating to 1910. The family “tents” which line the campground are actually permanent structures where people gather during events, which were once much longer in duration than today.
Historic Marker Text:
Effingham Camp Meeting has the longest record of continuous service in South Georgia-from 1790 according to oral tradition. The first camp ground was off Sisters’ Ferry Road on land of George Powledge, later sold to Gideon Mallette. In 1864 the site was burned during Sherman’s March to the Sea. In 1865 and 1866 encampment was held at Turkey Creek Methodist Church. In 1867 the camp ground was rebuilt on the Edward Bird tract at Springfield. In 1907 the present site was occupied after an exchange with G. M. Brinson. August encampment includes the third Sunday.
Interior of the Tabernacle
Mallette Memorial Text:
In Loving Memory of Gideon Mallette, One of the Founders of the Effingham County Campmeeting. Lewis Mallette, His Son, Who Was Instrumental in Building in Springfield. Jerry A. Mallette, Lewis’s Son, Who Started the First Tent. Clifford J. Mallette, Jerry’s Son, Received His Call to Preach at the Old Campground, and Served in the South Georgia Conference for 32 Years.
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“Tents” of the Effingham County Methodist Campground
The Zettler Tent
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Filed under --EFFINGHAM COUNTY GA--, Springfield GA
Effingham County Courthouse, 1908, Springfield
Designed in 1908 by Savannah City Hall architect Hyman Wallace Witcover, this iconic and unique Georgia courthouse was recently restored. A newer, more modern courthouse was constructed across the street to accomodate Effingham County’s population boom. (Thanks to Tracy for allowing access to the courtroom.)
Filed under --EFFINGHAM COUNTY GA--, Springfield GA
