Yearly Archives: 2012

Conine’s Store, Stockton

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Thanks to Cathee Boswell for the identification. Danise Johnson Watson writes: I grew up right down from Conine’s (on Hwy 84), and can’t tell you how much the memories of that store and the family mean to me! One precious memory was when my daddy would take me down there and sit me up on the old drink case. I’d enjoy my ice cold coke while listening to the men talk! When I was older, I could ride my bike down to pick up whatever my mama needed. In those days Mrs. Ruth granted all the local folks a charge account. Ah, all the goodies I wanted with just a stroke of her pencil! It breaks my heart to see the store as it (barely) stands today. But all I have to do is close my eyes and once again I’m perched on that old drink box, surrounded by people so precious to me!!

In 2019, Tess Howell shared this humorous postcard (likely from the 1960s-1970s), writing: After my grandmother passed in June, I found this postcard in her belongings. I thought you may get a kick out of it.  As a child, I visited Mrs. Ruth many times for peanuts and a bottled coke! My grandmother also worked for Mrs. Ruth here and there at some point in time; in true “Southernness” Mrs. Ruth’s daughter was my high school teacher and her other daughter’s husband is our local pastor. 

First Baptist Church, 1904, Norman Park

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This was originally known simply as Norman Park Baptist Church.

Hall and Parlor Tenant House, Broxton

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Update: As of 2021, this house is no longer standing.

Heritage Chickens, Lax

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Welsummer Rooster. Best known as the Kellogg’s Cereal Rooster, the Welsummer originated in Welsum, Holland.

In recent years, there has been an explosion of interest in backyard poultry. Driven largely by the organic and whole foods movements, “free-range” poultry and eggs are in greater demand than ever. Since most individuals don’t have the vast acreage required for true free-range habitats, the next best thing is “limited range” or fenced habitat. This is far superior to chickens kept in factory-like “coops”. These photographs were made in Lax, Georgia, at the home of my friend Jerry Youghn. While Jerry’s brood is a bit larger than most, it’s well-maintained. He enjoys experimenting with many different varieties, and raises pheasants, peafowl, ducks and other poultry from time to time.

Cuckoo Marans Rooster

Marans originate in France; the cuckoo or barred variety is but one of nine.

White Cochin Bantam Pair

Cochins originate in China and are considered excellent setters.

Simple roost

Constructed with logs and recycled materials

Young Dark Brahma Roosters Eating Watermelon Rinds

Brahmas are often called the “King of All Chickens” for the large size. They are on the watch list of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, but appear to be increasing in number in recent years. Brahmas originate in India and are a close relative to the progenitor of all chickens, the Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus), which are the wild chickens so well-known in Fitzgerald. Ranger Reds are a more recent variety, hybridized from Rhode Island Reds and kept for their meat and egg-laying qualities.

White and Partridge Japanese Silkies

Silkies are a variety kept mostly for show and curiosity. They are actually believed to have originated in China and were first documented in the 13th century.

Welsummers(Brown) & Red Rangers (Cream)

Natural Nest

Silver Pheasant, Standard Dark Cornish & Red Ranger

Chicks in Pen

Red Ranger & Rhode Island Red Hens on Natural Roosting Pole

Rhode Island Reds are large chickens raised primarily for meat. They are the state bird of, you guessed it, Rhode Island. Non-industrial strains are now recovering after years of decline.

 

Precinct House, Sibbie

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Sibbie is a nearly forgotten ghost town on the Wilcox-Ben Hill County line. While some of the community is in Ben Hill County, the precinct house is in Wilcox County.

 

Salem Baptist Church, 1924, Ben Hill County

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The cornerstone of this historic church near the Williamson’s Mill community notes that it was constituted in 1876, and the present structure built in 1924. Deacons at the time were J. T. Young, W. B. White, J. B. Jones, A. L. Reeves, Alfred Gibbs, and J. O. Livingtson. J. F. Crow was the pastor. The stone veneer that gives the building its distinct look was likely manufactured by the Fitzgerald Granitoid Works. In recent years the facade has been altered with the addition of a lift for elderly members.

George Williamson (1822-1901), who was the first known settler in the area, is credited with establishing the congregation.

 

Standard Supply Company, 1897, Fitzgerald

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When I was a boy I thought this looked a lot like the Alamo. It’s a nice example of Spanish Mission Revival architecture, and though it’s been slightly modified over the years, is among Fitzgerald’s oldest businesses. The Parrot family has operated it continuously since 1897.

Fitzgerald Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

First Baptist Church + Preston Seanor House, 1898, Fitzgerald

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Seanor House, circa 1940s. Courtesy Skeeter Humphries, via Bob & Jan Dean

Thanks to Robert Deen for the identification; this was the longtime home of his grandparents, Preston and Orleans Seanor. This was also the third home of the Fitzgerald First Baptist Church. It was first located somewhere on Main Street, I believe. The congregation first met in a furniture store, from December 1895 until erecting a small slab building which they used from 1896-1898. This is thought to be the first frame church, used by the congregation from 1898 until 1912. A bell tower was originally part of the structure, but was likely demolished before it was moved. The bell tower was built to hold the bell given the Baptists by Governor William J. Northen for being the first congregation in Fitzgerald to build a permanent church. (The bell is located on the front lawn at the present Fitzgerald First Baptist Church.) The side dormers were obviously added to give the structure a more acceptable residential appearance; take them and the covered front porch away and you can see the faint outline of a typical vernacular church.

Update: As of late 2023, this structure has been demolished.

 

Commercial Block, Fitzgerald

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I’m unsure as to its early history, but according to Louie Harper this building was home to Cato Furniture Company in the early 1950s, and Davis Furniture Company in 1958. Since then it’s been a number of different businesses. It likely originated as a factory of some sort, a remnant of an era when industries were located in towns and not in industrial parks.

Update: The structure collapsed in 2015 and has since been removed.

 

Fitzgerald Hardware Building, 1897

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This beautifully restored landmark is now home to Fitzgerald’s newspaper, the Herald-Leader. My grandmother worked in the back office here when it was John Henry Dorminy’s Fitzgerald Hardware Company. Some of the people I remember from those days, besides Mr. Dorminy: his wife, Elene, who was one of my favorite people. In the back office were my grandmother (Thelma Bussell), Audrey Calhoun, and Harry Greer. Throughout the store you’d find Tony Sheppard, I. B. Harmon, and Sheldon Flesher. I’ll add other names as I remember them.

Fitzgerald Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places