One of Quitman’s most beloved historic buildings was lost to fire around 1AM on Friday (20 June 2025). Besides being a storehouse of memories for generations of Quitman residents, the Walker Street School was the work of Valdosta architect Lloyd B. Greer (1885-1952), who trained with the influential firm of Hentz, Reid & Adler before establishing his practice in Valdosta in the early 1910s. The Ludowici Tile roof was an added touch to this particular school, which stands out among other small schools in South Georgia for its inspired design. I am not sure as to the original name; some have suggested Quitman Elementary but I cannot confirm. A friend from Quitman, who informed me of this devastating loss, noted that restoration of the school was in the works and said architects had already drawn up plans. Arson is suspected but has not been determined. The fire is presently under investigation and the Brooks County Fire Department spent hours protecting the surrounding residential neighborhood and containing the blaze, which covered around 20,000 square feet.
Quitman Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
I am heartbroken! This was my first grade school and I loved my class and teacher and the lunchroom food with Mrs. McDaniel! Mrs. Hunter was my teacher and Mrs. Priest taught us music in the auditorium. I remember having to step up on a wooden stool to reach the water fountain and the bathrooms were down several stairs. The classrooms were large and the windows opened from the top and bottom for summer and we had steam heat for winter. This school was antique then and that was in 1973!
Such a shame. It was a beautiful structure.
This is TWO historic school buildings lost to fire
It’s a real shame.
Thanks for the notification. It’s sad to see historic buildings lost.