
Blakely Court Square Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Blakely Court Square Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
A monument to the peanut might seem strange, but not so in Early County, which is one of the leading producers of this valuable crop in the entire state, with over 100 million pounds harvested in 2021. Located on the northeast lawn of the courthouse, it reads: The people of Early County, the largest peanut producing center in the world, have erected this monument in tribute to the peanut, which is so largely responsible for our growth and prosperity. Not only has it contributed to the higher living standards of the people engaged in its producing, manufacturing and marketing, but has also become important to the better health of the people of the world, as it is the source of some of our most nutritious and beneficial foods.
Peanuts remain central to the economy of Southwest Georgia.
Blakely Court Square Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Blakely has done a nice job of preserving and maintaining the historic storefronts surrounding the courthouse. Two of the highlights are seen at right. The Blakely Theatre (1936) has been restored for use as a performing arts space. Unlike most small-town theatres, which were built in the Art Deco style, the Blakely was built with Colonial Revival features. The adjacent Alexander Building (1904) is an unusually well-preserved turn-of-the-century commercial block which has recently been restored.
Blakely Court Square Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Blakely Court Square Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Joan Herndon writes that Tom Riley and Keaton Tiner have operated this barber shop since 1963, at least, and that it is still open for business. Amazing. Dan Westbrook notes that before then it served as Charlie Dunning’s barber shop.
Blakely Court Square Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
This was built by the Federal Emergency Administration as a New Deal project.
Blakely Court Square Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
This Neoclassical courthouse was designed by the Atlanta firm of Morgan & Dillon and built by W. T. Jay of Shellman. The courthouse shows a date on the frieze of 1904, but wasn’t completed until 1905.
Blakely Court Square Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Blakely Court Square Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
An excellent history of the church can be found here.
Blakely Court Square Historic District, National Register of Historic Places