This photograph of Riley Spear’s garage was made circa 1939. Cathy Fussell notes this was a well-known business in Columbus for many years.
Merchants & Farmers Bank, 1905, Sparks
Jim Cottingham shared this historic photograph of three gentlemen outside the Merchants & Farmers Bank circa 1905. His grandfather, W. T. Cottingham, is pictured at left.
Filed under --COOK COUNTY GA--, Sparks GA
General Store, Washington County
If not a general store, this was possibly a commissary, precinct house, or even a schoolhouse. I will update when I learn more.
Filed under --WASHINGTON COUNTY GA--
Appling County Honors 2020 Seniors During Pandemic, Baxley
With over 43,000 cases* of the coronavirus (Covid-19) in Georgia, life as usual has been anything but since early March. One of the effects of the pandemic has been the closure of schools and much has been made of the fact that members of the Class of 2020 won’t be able to have a traditional graduation ceremony. While I’ve noticed yard signs honoring this historic class in towns all over South Georgia, I’ve seen nothing quite as memorable as this display by Appling County High School. Senior photos of each and every student have been placed on signs on the front lawn of Baxley City Hall. along busy U. S. Highway 341. I think it’s a wonderful gesture.
*-as of 25 May 2020
Filed under --APPLING COUNTY GA--, Baxley GA
Fitzgerald’s Historic Lynwood School Being Demolished
When word came recently that my old elementary school was being demolished, I was already expecting it but it still brought a rush of emotions. This is where I spent most of my life from the 1st through 7th grades.
I made this photograph of the school in 2010.For more photographs and a bit of history, visit the original post.
Ben Hill, like many Georgia counties, had a city and county school system well into the late 20th century. Lynwood was the county school. During my lifetime, it was officially known as Ben Hill County Elementary School.
The structure has been vacant for quite a few years and has been deteriorating.
There are dozens, if not hundreds, of old schoolhouses like this wasting away all over Georgia.
A few counties have successfully put theirs to use, but that’s the exception, not the rule.
People always ask why a place like this is torn down and not put to good use.
The answer is never simple, and can be attributed to numerous factors, including political calculations, lack of funding, and the absence of a community effort.
In the case of Lynwood, a recent explanation arose of the need for a traffic roundabout on the adjacent state highway.
I hope the roundabout makes the area safer, but I know I’ll miss my old school on the hill.
Filed under --BEN HILL COUNTY GA--, Fitzgerald GA
