Anyone who’s ever passed through Hazlehurst on U.S. Highway 341 has undoubtedly seen this house and likely wondered about its history. Luckily, Jesse Bookhardt, a native of Jeff Davis County, shared it with me recently: Dr Samuel Wright Martin (22 December 1876 – 5 February 1966) was a beloved country physician. He practiced his medicine in the homes of his patients way out in the country. He also maintained a two-story office behind his beautiful home at the intersection of Jarman and Tallahassee Streets in Hazlehurst for many decades. His fees were reasonable and if you could not pay, he allowed credit. He took a personal interest in his patients. [Jesse notes that all seven of Eddie & Eva Lou Bookhardt’s children were delivered by Dr. Martin and he was so well-regarded that they gave his last name to their eldest son, Jesse Martin Bookhardt].
We go to the Peaches to the Beaches Yard Sale. At that time, the house is open. You should go in it! It is full of interesting things. The downstairs was once an antique store. The upstairs has an original bedroom set that the house was built or planned to accommodate. I think that the lady that ownes it still is a descendant of the Dr. you speak of. The house is simply falling apart and want be with us too much longer. Nice to know what the out building was used for, it is almost gone. Thanks for sharing.
I find this house very elegant and simply beautiful. The iron fence is really charming.
I am just finding out that he was my papa’s Samual Wright Dyal real dad!
My husband and his siblings were raised in this house and it was as pretty on the inside as it was on the outside. He has very fond memories of this house and the balcony which was off of his bedroom.
Karen Lay married to Michael Lay
Dr.Martin was married to a relative of mine,Gygnetha Beatrice Holton
daughter of Walter Holton and Eltheus Elizabeth Hall
A friend forwarded this to me..In my family we have four generations of Dr. Samuel Preston Martins!!! From country doctors in East Prairie, Mo to Vascular Surgeon in Orlando…small world!!
Brian,
One of the distinctive things about Dr. Martin’s home is the old iron fence at the entrance. Many fine southern homes of the 19th and early 20th centuries were enclosed by these ornate beauties. Today they are considered valuable antiques, and as result are often removed or stolen. It is too bad that someone with resources don’t purchase this wonderful home and resurrect it to its former elegant condition. Much of our culture and history are lost when these old beauties are allowed to fade away.
Another interesting feature of this homestead is the two runner concrete driveway. They have mostly vanished but were common in the early days of the automobile. From years ago, I remember an old wooden Hotel that sat on the opposite side of the street from Dr. Martin’s place. It burned to the ground sometime back in the 1950s, I believe. If I am not mistaken, it was simply called– The Hazlehurst Hotel.
Brian thanks for documenting another “lovely old lady” of South Georgia Architecture.
Its so sad that it is now in a state of decay. It would have been so beautiful if it had been restored.
Love this house. It’s in my hometown
My grandparents lived in Hazelhurst, and I well remember seeing this house many times. glad to see it still stands.
This house reminds me of the Steed home in Ocilla – except the porch wasn’t curved. https://vanishingsouthgeorgia.com/2009/05/13/greek-revival-mansion-beech-street-ocilla/
That is an awesome looking house.
-Trish
The rounded fascia and asymmetrical front is unusual.