O’Neal School Neighborhood Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
English Vernacular Revival Cottage, Cordele
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Category Archives: –CRISP COUNTY GA–
Mac Hyman House, Circa 1905, Cordele
John H. Churchwell built this Neoclassical Revival house circa 1904-1905. A model was featured at the Louisiana Purchase Exhibit at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1903; Churchwell purchased the columns from the model and had them shipped to Cordele.
Other owners of the house through the years have been the Ryals, Hodges, and Durham families, but it will be forever remembered for its most famous owner, Mac Hyman. The Cordele native was the author of No Time for Sergeants (1954), the bestselling book which spawned Broadway, television and movie versions and launched the career of Andy Griffith. Hyman was working on his second book, Take Now Thy Son at the time of his death in 1963. He was a month shy of his 40th birthday. Take Now Thy Son was published posthumously, in 1965.
Thanks to Ross Hamilton for the identification.
O’Neal School Neighborhood Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Colonial Revival House, Cordele
O’Neal School Neighborhood Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Craftsman Houses of Cordele
Various examples of the Craftsman style can be found in Cordele’s historic residential section. My mother suggested I look for this one and said it was one of her favorites. It’s one of mine, as well. Following is but a small sample of these Cordele landmarks.
Here’s another brick example.
This more typical wooden example features a porte-cochere, as well.
Craftsmans were generally very well built and many have survived in good condition. Thery’re presently among the most sought-after of the 20th-century house styles.
The last two photographs show eclectic versions of the style; the one below is a favorite.
O’Neal School Neighborhood Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Palmer Greene’s Store, Crisp County
Before the construction of Interstate 75, US Highway 41 was a main North-South route for tourists en route to and from Florida. Remnants of those busier times, such as this general store, are becoming quite rare. General stores selling groceries and sundries, as well as fuel, were essentially the convenience stores of their era.
Mark Salter identified the store as belonging to Palmer Greene. I’m not sure if it was Palmer Hamilton Greene (1889-1980) or his son Palmer Gibson Greene (1920-2002).
Update: As of April 2024, this store is no longer standing.
Winged-Gable Farmhouse, Crisp County
This is located between Wenona and Cordele.
Georgian Motor Court, 1940s, Cordele
Though I’ve never shared the location of this property and never will, I understand that many people know it well; there are numerous images of this sign all over the internet. And while it’s completely legal to stop on the side of the road and make a photograph, I would ask you to avoid this location. The owner has contacted me suggesting that people are harassing his mother, who is in her 90s, and this makes me sick. This is why I do not share locations. It’s a shame to have to say it, but do not trespass here. The owner will involve law enforcement if anyone is found to be on the property. DO NOT STOP HERE.
Southern Motel, Cordele
I first photographed this sign in 2008. The Southern Motel was owned and managed by Mr. & Mrs. Jack Kirk. It was a modern brick motel which, judging from a 1961 postcard, was likely built in the mid to late 1950s, It’s hard to imagine that highways like U. S. 41 were the interstates before we had interstates. I’m aware that many people consider these sorts of properties and old signage nothing more than eyesores. There are others who absolutely love them. I don’t think many of them will be saved, but they’re a nice reminder of the world before interstates.
Williams Store, Raines
Raines Station was a whistlestop on the Albany & Northern Railroad. The Albany & Northern was founded about 1895, so the Raines settlement would have come into being sometime soon thereafter. The tracks once ran beside this old store, owned by Confederate veteran Isaiah Williams, who served with the 60th Georgia Volunteer Infantry. The store was open as recently as the late 1970s. Thanks to Mr. Williams’ great-great grandson, Fred Gleaton, for sharing the history of the place.
Lori Odom Jones wrote: As a child I remember going to Raines Station to get collard greens and other stuff. I still remember the inside of the store and that they had an old Ouija Board in there. That was the first time I ever saw one. I begged and begged for one and my mama finally bought it. Sadly…it predicted the age my mama would die as 43 and she did. Coincidence? I threw that thing away. Funny how reading these posts bring back so many memories.
Clyde Watson recalls: I remember this store very well in the early 1950’s it was operated as Barry Mercantile Company, by John C Spears. I went to West Crisp School and would work for John on Saturdays and after school on the days he needed me. At that time there was a Grist Mill to left side of the store and I ground meal for customers on Saturday, I was able to work there for three years. Also sometime before maybe there was a store as well but the upstairs was a doctor’s office. When I worked there the remnants of the doctor’s office was still there, some old papers and such, but John and his mother Mrs. Arlette did not want anyone up there very long at the time.
Nancy Williams Memorial Methodist Church, Raines
This congregation was established in 1906. It has been inactive for about 20 years, but the grounds and church building are still well-maintained.