Thanks to Don Sports for identifying this as the Canoochee School. It served the Canoochee precinct beginning in the 1930s until its closure in 1954.
Cindy Lewis Rager writes: “…I am the daughter of Edward Lewis and he acquired the building in 1978. The school was built in the early 1930s. He attended school there through the fifth grade when they starting closing the small rural schools and had to finish school at Claxton High School. He had a cabinet shop there for a few years and then a cultured marble business there until he sold it in 2005. We had hoped to get some grant money to restore it, but we were told that since the back of the building has been altered a good bit, it is no longer considered a “historical site.” It is a shame since there is still a lot of the original wood floors and bead board on the walls.”
Brian,
The above comments about the Canoochee School are correct. I am the daughter of Edward Lewis and he acquired the building in 1978. The school was built in the early 1930s. He attended school there through the fifth grade when they starting closing the small rural schools and had to finish school at Claxton High School. He had a cabinet shop there for a few years and then a cultured marble business there until he sold it in 2005. We had hoped to get some grant money to restore it, but we were told that since the back of the building has been altered a good bit, it is no longer considered a “historical site.” It is a shame since there is still a lot of the original wood floors and bead board on the walls.
By coincidence, I drove by this school the day after you posted the picture, on my way to a funeral in Glennville. I asked my cousin Marty Todd, a lifelong resident of Claxton who works for the Evans County School Board, and he also said it was the Canoochee School. As I went by Tift College, up near Forsyth, I noticed it has been converted into state offices, but it was likely in much better shape than this old building. It is sad to see these old places slowly decay.
Brian…old friend Don Sports tells me it’s the Cannoochee School…so, since he’s an Evan County boy and a WMAZ-TV pro, I’m guessing it’s confirmed! 🙂
Edward Lewis opertaed a cabinet shop there in the 1980’s according to my Mom Ida Mae Sports.
It is the Canoochee School. I was born and raised in Evans County and covered elections at the Canoochee precinct for the radio station, WCLA. I will check with my mom who still lives there, but I am sure it was always known as the Canoochee School. May want to check with Darin McCoy, the clerk of the courts in Evans County. He can most likely give you more history. As I recall a business or govt office located there some years ago and is not there now. I have not lived in Claxton for over 30 years so I am not a good source.
Thanks, Don (and Ralph)! I’ll change the title to reflect this information…
It is (was) Canoochee. Old Georgia Department of Education school lists indicate it closed in 1954.
Great photos of a handsome building.
I wish that the state or local governments would make a better effort to reuse buildings such as this so that they are not lost. Many are well constructed and could be adapted to new uses if the desire and incentives were available.
B Capps
I agree, Bruce. A good example of this type of reuse is the old Black Creek Elementary School being renovated for use as the Bryan County Board’s headquarters…