The byline on the front awning said it all. A. S. Harris Department Store was “Irwin County’s Trading Center” for much of the twentieth century. Many of my Irwin County friends remember buying school clothes here, but more than that, this was a “cradle to the grave” sort of store, where everything from baby clothes to funeral attire could be found. Martha Jo Felson Katz shared this history: My grandfather, A.S. Harris opened the store in 1907. For 93 years, it was the cornerstone of our little town. He married my grandmother Ida Bank Harris from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1910 and she moved to Ocilla where she loved, lived and died there. We grew up working in the store. My grandfather started the First State Bank, built the Community House, and owned several other buildings on the main street. He helped my mother and father open Felson’s next door to A.S.Harris’s. Abe died in 1947 and in 1952, the old store was torn down, and the new one built in the same location. We built a red brick building on Cherry Street as a temporary building while the new one was being constructed. It seems like the end of an era now with all of our family there gone.
I never shopped here, but I knew Mr. Harris from meals shared at the Fitzgerald Elks Lodge with my parents. He and his wife, Esther, were two of the nicest people around. I have good memories of them.
All my store bought clothes came from this store. Back to school was a magical time as we got to go there. Mama made a lot of our clothes and fabric came from Belk’s in Fitzgerald. We got two pair of shoes a year and they came from Harris’s. Fond Memories.
I love this. This is what I am nostalgic for when I drive through these towns. I love to have images of these places when they were vibrant and the town was full of people who knew your whole family.
And every GA Governor who came within driving distance of Ocilla always came and talked to Mr Harris.
My cousin, Emily Tyler, bought me my very first pair of “ladies denim jeans” from Harris’s. I thought I was something! Mr and Mrs Harris were always so kind to me and I was especially fond of their daughter, Joan. Great memories.
Neat memories fun or like community’s yesteryear. We were among the many customers, friends and neighbors of the Harris family. Every person who entered those doors was appreciated and esteemed, and all felt welcomed. Salesmanship 101 was taught to this college student, at the time, and better customer relations has yet to be written than was shared by the proprietor, Charles Harris!
I worked there during high school years on Saturdays…good memories!
So loved Mr. Charles, Miss Ester, and all the family – especially my dear, dear friend Lee!
Wow, everthing I wore either came from there or Sears and Roebuck . Daddy would tell us go to Harris es dept store and put it on my account. Thats how he pronounced it Harris, es lol,
My grandfather, A.S. Harris opened the store in 1907. For 93 years, it was the cornerstone of our little town. He married my grandmother Ida Bank Harris from Baltimore Md. in 1910 and she moved to Ocilla where she loved, lived and died there. We grew up working in the store. My grandfather started the First State Bank, Built the Community House, and owned several other buildings on the main street. He helped my mother and father open Felson’s next door to A.S.Harris’s. Abe died in 1947 and in 1952, the old store was torn down, and the new one built in the same location. We built a red brick building on Cherry Street as a temporary building while the new one was being constructed. It seems like the end of an era now with all of our family there gone. But all of us are proud to have been raised there with grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles and cousins who all contributed the livelihood of Ocilla. Fond memories are in the heart.
Somewhere around March 12, 1963, Mr. Charles Harris was helping my daddy with a pair of pants when Mr. Harris asked how my mom was. Daddy said ok I guess – Mr. Harris said well he was wondering since they had taken her to the hospital (she was expecting me). Daddy said Mr. Harris turned around to get a something and when he turned back around Daddy was gone. I remember shopping with my mama there and what a wonderful place the store was to explore.
Great Picture !! Every Peace of clothes i ever wore growing up in ocilla came from Mr A.S Harris Dept Store . Him And My Dad Were Very Good Friends !! More Great Memories . Thanks.
It certainly lived up to its slogan, “Irwin County’s Trading Center”. I knew Charles Harris from childhood on, and he was one of the nicest men around.
Loved this place. Remember Mr and Mrs. Harris well, Aunt Mary Ellen Murray worked in there with them, I got most of my childhood clothes in there.
Mr. Charles was sweet enough to let me work during the “Christmas Holiday’s wrapping gifts. Mr. Charles and ‘Miss’
Esther were the best!!!!