Hugh Harris West writes: Mr. Henry Hardage and family were the earliest and primary occupants of this house until the early 50’s. Mr. Henry Hardage was the ice man and delivered chunks of ice two or three times a week to those families who had ice boxes rather than refrigerators as my family did.
Vanishing Georgia: Photographs by Brian Brown 
Mr. Henry Hardage’s daddy owned the house and when he died, he left it to Paralee Hardage and her heirs. Then it was sold to Tonty Mae Hardage Willis.
Pingback: AHI: United States » The improvable house as a self-baked fruitcake: Part 1, the recipe
I lived in this house in the late 50’s. Cousin Henry was married to my first cousin Paralee Grubbs Hardage. Breaks my heart to see it in this shape.
Mr. Henry Hardage and family were the earliest and primary occupants of this house until the early 50’s. Mr. Henry Hardage was the ice man and delivered chunks of ice two or three times a week to those families who had ice boxes rather than refrigerators as my family did. Tonty May Hardage Willis, a neice of Mr. Henry Hardage, came into possession of the house. Ms. Viola Patti was her sister and did live there for a good length of time.
I’m researching my grandfather’s side of my family. His name was Fred L. Barrow , his parents were John Wallace Barrow & his mother was Georgianna Martin ( maiden name). Fred was born in Poulan in 1886, so if anyone has any info, feel free to leave me a message. Thanks! I’ve looked on ancestry.com but with no luck, yet. I’ve found lots of info on my grandmother’s family but not Fred’s.
If the ole’ walls could talk in this house. Great picture!
I found out some additional information through my grandmother about this house. It was owned by the Hardages, which was Mrs. Viola Patte’s family. Viola was once the mayor and ran city hall. She was a very friendly lady and always sat on the porch and waved at everyone. She recently passed away, back in August.
The Pattee family lived there for years. Unfortunately, they let it get into disrepair. I wish that somebody could restore it to it’s former glory.
I’ll change the title of the photograph to reflect your information, Ashley. Thanks!
The Pattee family is also the Hardage family. Viola Pattee (my great aunt) is whom you’re referring to. She was Viola Belle Hardage, and Henry Hardage’s neice, daughter of VC & Paul Eve Hardage. The house was actually owned by my other great aunt, Tonnie Mae Willis (or her husband Ralph Willis. Not sure which name was on the deed, but it was hers), sister of Viola Pattee. She was elderly and on a fixed income. Therefore, had no funds to maintain the house. Aunt “Tuga” (Tonnie Mae), had always been a homemaker and never had any income of her own to maintain it, and Uncle Ralph (her husband), was a farmer on his own property, so they were completely extended out in maintaining their own place of residence.
The house is still in the family, and currently owned by the estate of my uncle Ralph, which is managed by my cousin. I hope to one day be able to purchase it, and do some much needed repairs, mainly the roof, as that’s the biggest threat to the structure, because there’s a gaping hole there caused by the huge oak that fell during a storm some years back.
The last I heard, this home was owned by the Patty family. My best friend lived here for many years. It is wonderful inside as well.
–one more great shot–this house is something–I like old places in the country–guess it is because I grew up in the woods.