Leary, Circa 1950, Photographer Unknown. Courtesy John McKinney
Leary is one of my favorite little towns to explore in Southwest Georgia and in the past decade I’ve seen most of these structures vanish from Main Street. John McKinney shared this photo, circa 1950, to help put things into perspective. The Boyd monument, which is now in a green space at the end of the street, is seen here in its original location.
Filed under --CALHOUN COUNTY GA--, Leary GA
While reviewing images for a manuscript, I came across this house in Leary and realized I’d never posted it before. The reason I’m posting it now is because on a recent trip I noticed it had been torn down. It was a large house, across from the Jordan houses.
Filed under --CALHOUN COUNTY GA--, Leary GA
I found several shotgun houses in Leary. I’ve always liked them and find them increasingly difficult to locate in authentic condition. The tiny house and sustainable architecture movements have been responsible for new versions popping up all over the place, but the originals have a character all their own.
Even with such a simple style there’s variation and that’s what I like about the Leary examples.
Filed under --CALHOUN COUNTY GA--, Leary GA
Sadly, Leary’s small commercial core on Main Street is greatly endangered. The only building that appears to be in really good condition is the Masonic Lodge (brick building with arched windows).
As of late 2016, I understand the building on the left has been razed. Bob Kemerait shared this photo.
Filed under --CALHOUN COUNTY GA--, Leary GA
The Mission Revival style saw its greatest popularity between 1890-1915. Once relatively popular in South Georgia, few examples survive in good condition. I don’t know if this was always a hardware store; the Ace sign likely dates to the 1970s, indicating it was open until at least that time.
I believe this was razed in late 2016.
Filed under --CALHOUN COUNTY GA--, Leary GA
Though it’s barely discernible, this old Coca-Cola mural, like many others around Georgia, can still be made out if you look closely enough. The building it once brightly adorned was likely a general store.
Filed under --CALHOUN COUNTY GA--, Leary GA
These old 32-ounce soda bottles were in the window.
Filed under --CALHOUN COUNTY GA--, Leary GA
