It has been a pleasure sharing these images from Anne Chamlee. They truly illustrate how important it is to document the built environment that we generally take for granted. This old tenant house was photographed in 1991 and is one of many places Anne felt were important reminders of our past, not just in architectural terms, but culturally, as well.
Filed under --BLECKLEY COUNTY GA--
Ann Chamlee made this photograph in 1989. A newer structure stands on this site, near the Powersville community, and this historic African-American church is presumed to be long gone. Like Jordan Chapel A. M. E. in Haddock, Lizzie Chapel was likely used by the community for various purposes.
Filed under --PEACH COUNTY GA--, Powersville GA
Anne Chamlee made this photograph just south of Oconee in March 1991. She shares my fascination with old log structures.
Filed under --WASHINGTON COUNTY GA--, Oconee GA
Anne Chamlee photographed this house in March 1991. She believes it was in Washington County but if anyone knows otherwise, please contact me.
Filed under --WASHINGTON COUNTY GA--
Anne Chamlee photographed this old store on Union Church Road near Warthen in January 1989.
Filed under --WASHINGTON COUNTY GA--
Anne Chamlee photographed this abandoned Queen Anne house, just south of Tennille, in March 1991. I have also photographed a good bit in the area and haven’t encountered it; I’m presuming it is no longer standing. I’d love to get an identification if anyone remembers it. [Anne was unable to get a photograph of the front of the house, but these images give a good idea as to its size and layout.]
Filed under --WASHINGTON COUNTY GA--, Tennille GA
Anne Chamlee made this photograph, which she labeled “out in the boonies” in Spring 1991. Its present status is unknown.
Filed under --WASHINGTON COUNTY GA--
Anne Chamlee made this photograph in January 1989. The structure may still be standing.
Filed under --WASHINGTON COUNTY GA--
I’m honored to be able to share this photograph by Anne Chamlee; it will be one of several I plan on publishing here and on Vanishing North Georgia. Earlier this year, Anne reached out to let me know that she appreciated the work I was doing documenting Georgia’s rural architecture and that she had some photographs of her own that I might enjoy seeing. After several back-and-forth emails and some phone conversations, I’m so glad we were able to make a connection. She’s just as intrigued by the architecture of rural Georgia as I am and by the late 1980s was wandering around the backroads of Middle Georgia, photographing the endangered examples that sparked her interest. She’s also a delightful conversationalist, which is a bit of vanishing thing itself these days.
A Sooner by birth, Anne came South with her family just as the Dust Bowl was coming to an end. They wound up in Florida and she eventually met and married a man with roots in Hancock County, Tilmon Chamlee. Tilmon was a rising architect who had a very successful career in the commercial sector. After many years in Florida and then Macon, Anne and Tilmon eventually settled at Lake Sinclair in Baldwin County, where he continued his practice and indulged in his love for flying. He was also a commercial and instrument-rated pilot. Tilmon passed away in 2015 but Anne remains active in the community. After talking with her on the phone a few times, I still cannot believe she’s 85.
Regarding the house: It was located near Warthen, and is believed to be no longer extant. The photo dates to January 1989. It is of particular interest, as there is a very similar example nearby. The ornamental middle “gable”, as best I can tell, is a localized vernacular interpretation of the Queen Anne style. It’s possible they were the work of the same builder.
Filed under --WASHINGTON COUNTY GA--
Photo Courtesy John Aubrey Brown
I’m so excited to be able to share this photograph, which was shared by John Brown. He made the shot circa 1995. It’s the old Oliver School and was lost to fire a few years after the photograph was made.
Oliver was one of about 40 white schools in Screven County surveyed by M. L. Duggan for the Georgia Department of Education in 1916. The steeple or bell tower was a design element present only in the larger schools of the county, including Capitola, Douglas Branch, Gilgal, Harmony, Rocky Ford, and Sylvania. At the time of the survey, W. S. Brown was teacher and principal, and Miss Fannie Ryon was his assistant. There were 10 grades and 62 students, with a 32-week school year. The school was valued at $3000 and was noted to be in very good condition.
Filed under --SCREVEN COUNTY GA--, Oliver GA
