Vanishing South Georgia Photographs by Brian Brown

Sunrise, Cornflower Road

Brian Brown — Tue, 15 May 2012 11:36:34 +0000

No better way to start the day than a beautiful country sunrise!

Abandoned Farmhouse, Chestnut Road

Brian Brown — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:38:51 +0000

My first thought was that this may be two old farmhouses that were joined together at some point. The extra length at the rear of the house, as well as the “side door”, led me to this conclusion.

M. D. Norman House, 1907, Norman Park

Brian Brown — Sat, 12 May 2012 17:20:11 +0000

For the interesting history of this home:

http://vanishingsouthgeorgia.com/2012/02/04/m-d-norman-house-1907-norman-park/

First Baptist Church, 1904, Norman Park

Brian Brown — Sat, 12 May 2012 17:16:01 +0000

Roses Creek Road, Broxton

Brian Brown — Sat, 12 May 2012 16:24:36 +0000

Heritage Chickens, Lax

Brian Brown — Fri, 11 May 2012 17:07:02 +0000

Welsummer Rooster

Best known as the Kellogg’s Cereal Rooster, the Welsummer originated in Welsum, Holland.

Welsummer Hen

Cuckoo Marans Rooster

Marans originate in France; the cuckoo or barred variety is but one of nine.

White Cochin Bantam Pair

Cochins originate in China and are considered excellent setters.

In recent years, there has been an explosion of interest in backyard poultry. Driven largely by the organic and whole foods movements, “free-range” poultry and eggs are in greater demand than ever. Since most individuals don’t have the vast acreage required for true free-range habitats, the next best thing is “limited range” or fenced habitat. This is far superior to chickens kept in factory-like “coops”. These photographs were made in Lax, Georgia, at the home of my friend Jerry Youghn. While Jerry’s brood is a bit larger than most, it’s well-maintained. He enjoys experimenting with many different varieties, and raises pheasants, peafowl, ducks and other poultry from time to time.

Simple roost constructed with logs and recycled materials

Red Ranger & Rhode Island Red Hens on Natural Roosting Pole

Rhode Island Reds are large chickens raised primarily for meat. They are the state bird of, you guessed it, Rhode Island. Non-industrial strains are now recovering after years of decline.

Young Dark Brahma Roosters Eating Watermelon Rinds

Brahmas are often called the “King of All Chickens” for the large size. They are on the watch list of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, but appear to be increasing in number in recent years.

Young Dark Brahmas and Red Rangers

Brahmas originate in India and are a close relative to the progenitor of all chickens, the Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus), which are the wild chickens so well-known in Fitzgerald. Ranger Reds are a more recent variety, hybridized from Rhode Island Reds and kept for their meat and egg-laying qualities.

Natural Nest of Welsummers(Brown) & Red Rangers (Cream)

Silver Pheasant, Standard Dark Cornish & Red Ranger Chicks in Pen

White & Partridge Japanese Silkies

Silkies are a variety kept mostly for show and curiosity. They are actually believed to have originated in China and were first documented in the 13th century.

Young Standard Partridge & Silverlace Cochins

Silver Pheasant (Lophura nycthemera)

This variety is native to Southeast Asia.

Oak Grove Methodist Church, Coffee County

Brian Brown — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:17:49 +0000

This rural church between Snipesville and Pridgen was founded in 1846.

The cemetery has many graves dating to the turn-of-the-century.

For more views:

http://vanishingsouthgeorgia.com/2009/03/09/oak-grove-methodist-church/

http://vanishingsouthgeorgia.com/2009/06/10/oak-grove-methodist-church-coffee-county/

Precinct House, Sibbie

Brian Brown — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:45:33 +0000

Sibbie is a nearly forgotten ghost town on the Wilcox-Ben Hill County line.

Salem Baptist Church, 1924

Brian Brown — Mon, 07 May 2012 15:42:24 +0000

This landmark church was likely constructed with material from Fitzgerald Granitoid Works. In recent years its facade has been badly altered with the addition of a lift for elderly members, but this is understandable as the front doors of Salem Baptist Church are higher than any others I’ve seen in this part of Georgia.

From the cornerstone:

Grand Lodge of Georgia F & A. M. – June 20, 1924 A. D. A. L. 5924

J. D. Hamrich, Grand Master

Salem Baptist Church – Constituted 1876 – Erected 1924

Deacons: J. T. Young, W. B. White, J. B. Jones, A. L. Reeves, Alfred Gibbs, J. O. Livingston

J. F. Crow, Pastor

Standard Supply Company, 1897, Fitzgerald

Brian Brown — Mon, 07 May 2012 15:16:42 +0000

When I was a young boy, I always thought this looked a lot like the Alamo. It’s a nice example of Spanish Mission Revival architecture, and though it’s been slightly modified over the years, is among Fitzgerald’s oldest and most respected businesses. The Parrot family has operated it continuously since 1897.