When the Atlanta & Florida Railway bypassed Knoxville in 1888, opting to build a depot about a mile away, the settlement of Roberta began. It was originally known as New Knoxville, after the county seat. When Hiram David McCrary (1847-1912) and James Mathews gave the right of way for the railroad, McCrary, who was also an active entrepreneur, was allowed to choose a name for it. He chose Roberta, in honor of his daughter*. *-Mattie Roberta McCrary Champion (1881-1977)
The old Bankston Store is a great example of restoration. It’s located adjacent to the bank/post office building.
The corner entrance was a popular commercial style in the early 20th century.
I made these photos a few years ago, so some of these business have been repainted. For a small town, Roberta does a good job of maintaining its historic commercial structures and still uses them all, as best I can see. I don’t encounter that in many places.
Roberta Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Vanishing Georgia: Photographs by Brian Brown 
Hi, Brian. I grew up in Roberta until the age of 13. When I moved I left behind many family members. Miss Champion, for whom Roberta was named, taught first grade for MANY years. She taught my mother, my older brother, and me! My mother, I believe, was in her first class. We visited her in the nursing home a few years before she died. I was so shocked when she recognized both of us!!! She also could name every child in my mother’s class!! Mama couldn’t even remember them all. Miss Champion made me fall in love with school and reading. I remember her classroom very clearly. A wonderful teacher and citizen of Roberta.
I really enjoyed this tour of Roberta. Very fine examples of restoration, indeed!