Hinsonton has always been a small community, but this store was probably the center of life from the 1930s to the early 1970s. The last time I was here, it appeared as if someone was trying to restore this place. Tina Haywood Battle notes that the store was closed by the 1970s.
The old Gilbarco gas pumps are amazing survivors but Ted Floyd remembers the store from an even earlier time. My family (Harrells) have lived near Hinsonton for about 150 Years. As a child, in the 1940’s and early 50’s I drank many an RC Cola with salted peanuts dumped in the bottle at this old store. You could get bologna and cheese sliced at the back, Kits and BB Bat candy. Long before the Gilbarco pumps, the gas was delivered by gravity. Pumped up by hand into a glass tower to measure the quantity then released by gravity into the tank.
Recently found out Hinsonton was my fathers birthplace in 1925. I always thought it was Pelham. His parents are Bill and Stella Jones. Beth are buried at a church in Pebble City. I need to visit Hinsonton, would love to know the history
I visited this area as child when I played softball with Mr. “Sonny Boy” Spicer who lived nearby and worked for Joe Glenn and Joe Wingate. AHHHH, the memories. The store was already closed when we were there in the late 1970s and early 1980s but my mom and I still like to ride in the area.
WOW!!! Brian, you have been everywhere in South Georgia. If you ever visit the Harmony Community in Mitchell Community, you should take a picture of the Jim and Addie Culpepper Store, established in 1914.
My family: “Harrells” have lived (and still do) near Hinsonton for abt 150 Years. As achild, in 1940’s and early 50’s I drank many a RC Cola with salted peanuts dumped in the bottle at this old store. You could get balony and cheese sliced at the back, Kits and BB Bat candy. Long before the Gilbarco pumps, the gas was delivered by gravity. Pumped up by hand into a glass tower to measure the quantity.; then relased by gravity into the tank.
Ted Floyd wtfbard@juno.com