Metcalfe (sometimes spelled Metcalf) is a tiny hamlet between Thomasville and the Florida line, linked for much of its history by the railroad that passed through here and the timber industry so active in the area. For many years, these old storefronts were in a state of disrepair and their future was uncertain. The drive down from Thomasville on Magnolia Road & Metcalfe Road, passing through grand old longleaf pine plantations, is one of the most beautiful in the state.
In December 2008, a large group of concerned citizens attended a rehabilitation meeting initiated by Thomasville Landmarks and the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation with the purpose of discussing the future of Metcalfe.
One of the first efforts was the restoration of this structure, built in 1916 as the Metcalfe Branch of the Commercial Bank of Thomasville and later known as the Bank of Metcalfe.
These old country stores have been restored, as well.
Metcalfe Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Brian – Stumbled across the bank pic above and realized it is more or less a duplicate of the Bank of Oakfield. I wonder if there are others. Fred GLeaton
It is very similar, indeed. I bet there are more. It was probably in a pattern book of some sort.
My grandmother Annie Kindred was born there. Her father W. P. Kindred helped to build the Methodist church there, and his wife Eva’s parents (Andrew and Annie Copeland Berry) also lived there, from at least the 1880s on.
It is great that the community has worked to make the older buildings restored. Wish lots more of South Georgia would have the Community to love it and restore the buildings.
The Bank of Metcalfe building now houses Dark Horse Armory, a thriving gunsmith and firearms shop. They use the original vault to lock up the guns at night.
https://www.facebook.com/DarkHorseArmory/
So glad to know locals have an interest in history and preservation.