Yearly Archives: 2012

Fitzgerald Recreation Center

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Stewart Carswell was the longtime owner of the Fitzgerald Recreation Center. This old-fashioned gathering place served the best hamburgers in town. And to locals, it was known simply as “the Pool Room”. Butch Whittle managed the place for many years after he was injured working on the railroad.

As the walk-up window would imply, the Pool Room was better known for food than for pool. But there were regulars at the tables, too.

As far as the building goes, its pink Vitrolite facade is an interesting architectural feature, representative of Mid-Century design.

 

And the Dr. Pepper sign is as much a Fitzgerald landmark as the Pool Room itself.

Pryor-Persons House, Circa 1902, Fitzgerald

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This early Fitzgerald landmark was originally the home of Shepherd Green “Shep” Pryor, (1861-1952). Mr. Pryor was a native of Sumter County and a pioneer settler of Fitzgerald, coming to the community in January 1901, and soon thereafter built this fine Queen Anne home. He raised a small patch of sugar cane on the property for many years. Mr. Pryor’s son, James Jarratt Pryor (1895-1980) was the co-founder and longtime editor of the Fitzgerald Herald and later, the Fitzgerald Herald-Leader, as well as Fitzgerald postmaster from 1940-1964.

Mr. Pryor’s daughter, Elizabeth Pryor Persons (1891-1986) and her husband, Claude Cutts Persons, Sr.,(1886-1969) later owned the house. Their son, Claude, Jr., (1926-1999) remained here after their deaths. He was a local character well-known for his work at the post office.

Shrimp Boat Parade, Blessing of the Fleet, 2012, Darien

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This was the 44th Annual Blessing of the Fleet in Darien. It’s one of a few remaining on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts.

Participants await their turns in the shrimp boat parade, which is the highlight of the Blessing of the Fleet.  From the eastern edge of Darien the boats parade toward the US Highway 17 bridge, receive their blessings, and return to the docks, all to the cheers of thousands of well-wishers. This tradition has grown into one of Georgia’s most popular festivals, including a weekend-long celebration featuring fine artists, musicians, vendors, and of course, the freshest wild Georgia seafood available.

I cannot overemphasize my support for the member fishermen of the Wild Georgia Shrimp Association. Most people don’t realize that most of the shrimp and other seafood they buy in grocery stores and markets these days is far from fresh, and originates far from Georgia. Chinese and farm-raised shrimp and fish have essentially taken over the U. S. market, but not only is their quality vastly inferior, its availability threatens the very way of life of the men, women and families who make their livings fishing in Georgia’s coastal waters.If you have the choice, only purchase shrimp branded with the “Wild Georgia Shrimp” logo or look for their decal on restaurant doors and menus. If an establishment doesn’t carry it, ask them why not. Though fresh seafood is always more readily available near the coast, the Wild Georgia Shrimp logo is starting to show up in more and more localities.

Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace parade crew

Big Cobb

Captain Drew

Captain Jack

Captain Jack parade crew

Captain Zack

Lady Susie II

Miss Bertha

Sea Angel

Smokin’ Joe

Sundown

Wait-n-Sea

First National Bank Building, 1903, Fitzgerald

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Home over the years to everything from the Fitzgerald Police Department, a dentist’s office, cafe, barber shop, and tattoo parlor, the First National Bank Building in recent years was known as the office of General Insurance Company. Connie Kruger adds: This building was also, for a time,, the offices of the Hebrew Commercial Alliance, which was begun to lend financial aid to Jewish merchants, when other sources were not readily available to them.

Archival Photo Courtesy of Louie Harper

I recently got a tour of the building from local builder and preservationist Louie Harper, who will soon renovate it.

This is the ground floor, which was originally home to the First National Bank. It’s remembered in recent years as the office of Joe Hair’s General Insurance Company.

These rooms on the second floor were the offices of early Fitzgerald dentist and businessman Dr. C. A. Holtzendorf.

The basement was once the National Barber Shop, as well as the Fitzgerald Police Department headquarters, and lastly, a tattoo parlor.

Fitzgerald Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

 

Holtzendorf Building, 1906, Fitzgerald

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This view was made from the newly renovated Johnson Hardware Company Building (now “The Loft on Pine”) and shows familiar Pine Street storefronts. The Holtzendorf Building (middle) was home to Dock’s Credit Jewelry for many years.

Fitzgerald Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Craftsman House, Fitzgerald

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South Main Street – South Lee Street Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Russell-Harris House, Circa 1897, Fitzgerald

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Archival image courtesy Al & JoAnna Johnson. Likely a promotional image made for the Riverview Land & Immigration Company, an early Fitzgerald real estate broker

As my friend Connie Kruger pointed out, all of us who grew up in Fitzgerald from the 1960s to the 1980s thought of this as a “haunted house”; it was dilapidated and foreboding for most of those years. About 20 years ago it was restored and expanded for use as a personal care home, and thus, saved. The house was built by a Dr. Russell; apparently, his health was not good and the family was unable to maintain the house. They moved into a smaller property next door and operated the house as the Russell Apartments for a time.

The house is no longer being used as a care facility and if properly restored, the added modern wing would need to be removed.

South Main Street-South Lee Street Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Holt Elementary School, 1955, Irwin County

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The 15 October 1953 edition of the Ocilla Star described this school, built with Minimum Foundation Program funds, as: Holt Elementary (colored): complete school plant with eight class rooms, one library, lunch assembly, office, clinic, two rest rooms, book storage and heater room.

Lena Bryant-Brown writes: I went to school there and miss those years so much. My older brothers and sister went also. I made it through the fourth grade and then we integrated when I was going into fifth grade.

 

Gourd Tree, Irwin County

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These are generally put up to attract Purple Martins (Progne subis), which are thought to be a mosquito deterrent. Many companies now sell plastic martin gourds, but I prefer the natural versions.