I first photographed the commercial center of Meigs in 2009 and am amazed at how little has changed on Depot Street since then.
The community landmarks of our smallest towns are all at risk of being lost. Meigs is no different than countless other places in Georgia.
These structures were home to banks, grocery stores, general stores and offices. Most were built in the early 20th century.
One of the last businesses still open was Meigs Grocery, located in the left hand side of the large commercial block seen below.
This replaces a less detailed post, Depot Street Storefronts, originally published on 26 October 2009.
Even the police department has now closed.
Sad, but as you’ve stated the world has changed and gone to the Walmart, Dollar General and Family Dollar mode. As in many small Georgia town, the business center was the heartbeat of the community. I got to witness it in Millen. Jerry
Meigs has had a really hard time surviving. Too much low income. Too much crime. It is so far off the beating path that it really didnt have a chance to survive. It is a shame!
I came to Meigs in 1949 as Sam Hewell’s fiance to meet his family prior to getting married. His parents were Willie and Adkin Hewell, owner of W.A. Hewell Dry Goods Store. They welcomed me with open arms so we were married in Methodist parsonage on June 6th , 1949. That was the beginning of a sixty-nine year plus fifty-one week marriage. Those years contained many happy visits to Meigs. The Davises, Banks, Turners, Aultmans, O’Steens, Sassers, Carters, Brussels, Dollars, Laws, Bursts, Pilchers, Brightwells, Virginia Jones and her Mother, Mrs. Flossie Booth are just a few of the names that made Meigs “Home” to Sam and me for all those years. They made Meigs the friendly, hospitable Southern Town that it was. It is a shame that it has practically vanished
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