In the 1880s and 1890s, Hillman was a boomtown, not because of agriculture or timber, but because of an unusual attraction known as the Electric Health Resort. Jackie Sturdivant Watson recently shared this history of Hillman: I heard stories of the “Rocks That Shock” from my Grandfather, Bill Dozier, who lived in Hillman from his birth in 1909 until the death of his father in 1922. His brother Wyman (who lived in the house pictured above) remained in Hillman and operated the family’s mercantile store until his death in 1966. As the story goes (very briefly), Reverend A. L. Hillman was searching for gold and alum and sank a shaft on his property. Spending time in the ankle deep water in the shaft reportedly caused cures to a variety of illnesses. As a result, a hotel was built on the property and people came from all around to spend time at the Electric Mound Hotel or “The Hillman”. Henry W Grady, editor of the Atlanta Constitution, was responsible for the financing and building of the hotel, according to an article in the Advocate-Democrat written by GrandDaddy (Bill Dozier, Nov. 1, 1991). GrandDaddy’s parents, Charles Wilder Dozier and Kate Jackson Dozier were operating the Hillman Hotel when it burned in 1901.
I haven’t located anything about the early history of this house, but Jackie Sturdivant Watson writes: My great uncle Wyman Dozier and his wife Annie Sue lived in this house in Hillman in the 1950s and 1960s…The site of the old hotel built in the 1880s is across the road and on the other side of the railroad tracks. Kathy Wright Groseclose notes that the house was occupied as late as the 1980s and was in good condition at that time.
Georgia Backroads Magazine ( Winter 2022 addition page 20,21) mentions the caves that shock. has anyone located these caves?
What memories…..I am named after Wyman Dozier…only grandson of Anne Sue Griffen Dozier to have Dozier as my middle name..my father was Dr.George Kelly…great memories of the house, cotton gin and store. .I have the sign and cash register from the store. ..sad to see house in disrepair! My first car a white Impala is in the woods across the rr tracks to the right I have pictures of the store if interested!
I would love to see pictures of the store. Someone began repairs on the home about 8 years ago and never completed them. It was such a beautiful home. My husbands grandmother was the last owner of the home, her name was Betty Rhodes. She passed away late 90s early 2000s. I do not know who owns the home know. My great grandfather Bill, brother of Wyman used to talk about the store but it was gone before I could remember every seeing it. My email address is helenclemmons709@gmail.com. I would love any other information and pictures would be appreciated. I have also heard rumor that the cotton gin was the first one to began producing on that property. Perhaps you would know about that.
Hello Ralph,
My name is Carlotta Guillebeau and I’d like to thank you for posting this information. I am with the Taliaferro County Historical Society. We are very interested in seeing any of the pictures you have of the store or any other buildings/structures in the county. Please feel free to contact me at Carlottag61@gmail.com.
I drove out there after seeing this on your site the first time but couldn’t find it. I drove down every road around Sharon. I wanted to photograph. Can you provide directions?
Take Highway 47 out of Sharon toward Washington approximately 4 miles turn left onto Hillman Road. This house is on the left just before the railroad tracks. I have always thought it was a beautiful house and a shame no one has restored it.
The original owner of the home was Joseph Hillman, his son Andrew was the discoverer of the “shock rock”. Charles and Kate Dozier aquired the property sometime after Mr. Hillman passed in the home in 1880. Bill Dozier was my great grandfather. I married into the family that owned this home after the Doziers sold it.