James Simon Shingler (1859-1943), a native of Holly Hill, South Carolina, was one of the leading businessmen of Turner County during his lifetime, and owned a great deal of real estate in Ashburn, Sycamore, and rural Turner County, as well. Ed Cane, the owner of the building which features this medallion, notes that it was the design of the famed Georgia architect Peter E. Dennis.
Ashburn Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Though typical in design for many South Georgia jails of its day, the old Turner County jail is anything but these days. The City of Ashburn repurposed the building as a tourist attraction, and it now houses The Crime and Punishment Museum. It’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in town.
National Register of Historic Places
Built in 1948, and purchased by H. R. Wiggins in 1960, Turner County Stockyard has kept up with the times. By 2009, with sales of $30 million, they were the largest cattle stockyard in Georgia, and remain a vital part of agribusiness in the state.