The Fitzgeralds were one of the earliest families to settle Omaha. The town was originally named Fitzgerald in their honor but upon realizing there was already a Fitzgerald, in Ben Hill County, it was randomly named for Omaha, Nebraska. Mr. Fitzgerald’s first home on this site was destroyed by the 1913 tornado that also laid ruin to Omaha Baptist Church and much of the town. This replacement, with 19 rooms, was built the following year.
When the tornado destroyed the original house in 1913, my grandfather Walter E Fitzgerald used the timber from the destroyed house to build a Shotgun house in the next block while this 1914 house was built for our family.
This house has such impressive symmetry!
I love tthese old places and stories. My uncle, Horace Paulki lived in Tifton and served as mayor there. He was the oldest of J B D Paulk children of Ocilla. The house he built there before 1900 is still in use today. When Grandpa died, the family wanted John L Sumner who had managed the farm for so many years to have the farm. He was like an uncle to me and I have so many fond memories of him. I believe his grandson lives in that house today. Jim
Does Fitzgerald still have chickens running free all over town?