Thought to be antebellum, these three shotgun-style vernacular law offices are among the most important architectural resources in Cuthbert. Though the Hood Law office is the only that has a formal Greek Revival appearance, I believe a vernacular interpretation of the style was the intention of each. Such structures were commonly built around town squares in the 19th-century but only a few remain in Georgia.
Thanks to Rebecca Bowen, whose family once had an insurance business in this structure [above], I know that it was contemporary to the law office of Arthur Hood, who came to Cuthbert in 1853. I suspect the other buildings have similar origins.
Cuthbert Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
I have recently been trying to find old photos of Cuthbert and what Pine Street would have looked like in the 1930’s. My Great Grandfather’s brother Joe Smith and his wife Tommie lived at 230 Pine St. according to the 1930 census. He and his wife also owned a cafe in Cuthbert during that time.
These are very similar to the antebellum Hood Law Office, which sadly collapsed during a move from the square to Andrew College in 1976 and Dr. Paullin’s Office, which was moved from Ft. Gaines to Westville in Lumpkin, GA. The later can be seen here:http://www.westville.org/doctor.html
Thanks, Andrew!