Cogdell, though now largely forgotten, is perhaps best known as the birthplace of the late actor, Ossie Davis and its association with the Sessoms Timber operations.
Some memories of life in Cogdell:
Mitzi Usry: My grandparents lived in Cogdell and I still have family there. The best part of my childhood was visiting during the summer. Some of the best people in the world have lived and walked down the dirt road in front of that store.
Syliva Josey: We sure had some good times on that dirt road walking to Uncle Bo’s and Aunt Bonnie Sue’s and Granny Braswell’s, too. Miss the old days.
Faye Sutton Higgs: I have been told that my Grandpa Sutton managed this store a long time ago and also had a barber shop there as well.
Glenn Hodges: This hamlet was a thriving town when my great-grandpa and his family lived there. They raised cows, turpentined, farmed, cut crossties and sold them to the railroad…My daddy saw his first airplane here. I used to travel and stop at the store when it was open. Hardly anyone lives there, so the possibility of restoring Cogdell to some of its former glory is almost hopeless.
Kevin Burnette: My Uncle, Kenneth Burnett and Grandfather, James Burnett had a “Bee House” there back in the late 60’s into the early 70’s. I fondly remember helping my Granpa (with my cousin, Jason McLain) going from area to area to pick up hives to get the sweet rewards of honey. Great memories.
I remember as a child and the daughter of J.N. Burnette, going to the cogdell store daily. That’s where the school bus dropped us off. Mrs. Ray was manager of the store and always doled out penny candy. I saw her many times go to the cooler, pull out a huge piece of Beef or pork, throw it over her shoulder and take it to the large cutting block she used and would cut large slices of beef or pork and wrap it in brown paper for the customers. She let me sort mail a few times as the mail boxes were in the front of the store on the right as you walked in. Such great memories of Cogdell.
My husband says you didn’t mention the “Cogdell light” – a ghostly light, always seen at a distance. Marfa TX and Brown Mountain in NC have similar lights.
My Uncle, Kenneth Burnett and Grandfather, James Burnett had a “Bee House” there back in the late 60’s into the early 70’s. I fondly remember helping my Granpa (with my cousin, Jason Mclain) going from area to area to pick up hives to get the sweet rewards of honey. Great memories. Thanks for making this page available.
My grandparents lived in Cogdell and I still have family there. The best part of my childhood was visiting during the summer. Some of the best people in the world have lived and walked down the dirt road in front of that store.
We sure had some good times on that dirt road walking Uncle Bo’s and Aunt Bonnie Sue’s and Granny Braswell’s too. Miss the old days
In the 50’s I remember visiting someone in the house on the left behind the store with my mother but I don’t remember who it was.
thanks for listing the county all these towns are in, just in case they aren’t listed in Wikipedia….
I have been told that my Grandpa Sutton managed this store a long time ago and also had a barber shop there as well
My family was from Cogdell, GA. In fact my gguncles left there to join the 26th GA, Co K, Volunteer Confederate Army only to die in battle. They lived by the old barpit east of Cogdell. My grandpa had a farm South of town until they moved to high ground near Willacoochee. My daddy saw his first airplane here. I used to travel and stop at the store when it was open. Hardly anyone lives there, so the possibility of restoring Cogdell to some of its former glory are almost hopeless.
This hamlet was a thriving town when my ggrandpa and his family lived there. They raised cows, turpentined, farmed, cut crossties and sold them to the railroad. In fact 2 of my gguncles went to Waynesville to join the 26th Ga. Regt. of the Confederate Army from here never to return home. Daddy said Cogdell had the first steam powered turpentine still. Most of the family is buried in near by Red Bluff Church Cemetery.
Glenn Hodges
There is a couple old store fronts very similar to this old tin-front building just down the road from me here in beautiful east Texas. Your pictures are very interesting and bring back very fond memories.
Thanks as always for sharing, Lanny!
Love this photo! You have been doing a LOT of traveling around lately, Brian!