This was the general store and boarding house of Peter Joseph, a leader of the historic Black community of South End on St. Simons Island. Built circa 1900, per the Glynn County Historic Resources Report [2009], it was razed circa 2016. The only Peter Joseph I can locate on St. Simons was born in 1903 and died in 1966; if this is the same Peter Joseph, it would mean the store was built by someone else, perhaps a member of his family. I will attempt to update this if I can find out anything more.
These photographs were made in February 2015.
As the images confirm, the structure had long been abandoned when I photographed it. It was an important resource for a long lost community, so I’m glad I had the opportunity to document it.
Thank you for documenting this beautiful structure while she stood! This is a lovely piece of history to be preserved
My aunt Adel, who was married to Pete Joseph lived in that house 🏠 many years
This was my aunt’s house
I think this is my great grandfathers house.
This has happened many many times on the island.
I was born and raised in Harrington and cried the last time I went “around the street” as we used to say and I vowed I would never do again.
Thank you for the articles!
St Simons Island will eventually wipe out all indications that African Americans once lived and dominated the area. People of color seem to get everything taken away from them and stomped on. They build again, only to be torn down again. I hope someone dug deep to try and find a relative before tearing down Mr Joseph’s building. I don’t think anyone should decide for themself what to do with someone else’s belongings. That building didn’t hurt anyone. Leave well enough alone .
i am his great granddaughter
I was so disappointed when I read that it had been razed. A pity.