Category Archives: Culloden GA

Historic Storefronts, Culloden

Culloden, the oldest settlement in this area of Georgia, was once a bustling town, where the railroad brought in supplies from Atlanta and other larger cities, and where the economy was mostly centered around cotton until the 1920s. Agriculture remains a large employer to this day.

It’s similar to myriad other small towns across the state in the fact that after the waning of cotton’s prominence, people left in search of non-agricultural jobs, and the buildings that made up the commercial center were eventually abandoned. Most were general stores or offices.

One thing different about Culloden, though, is the fact that they decided to construct a building in the old style in 2005 that houses the city hall, library and emergency services. It’s a nice nod to local history and incorporates old bricks, perhaps recycled from an earlier structure near this site.

The building on the right was the old Bank of Culloden, erected in 1897.

Culloden Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Town Well, Culloden

The public well was one of the most important gathering places in Georgia’s earliest towns and villages, as access to clean drinking water was a necessity and infrastructure was non-existent when forests were cleared for settlement. Though this well is dated to 1780, the well itself and the well house have obviously been updated over the years. Nonetheless, it’s an important place in the history of Culloden.

Culloden Historic District, National Register of Historic Place

Filling Station, 1920s, Culloden

An architectural survey identified this as having been an early filling station and dated it to the 1920s. It was used as a restaurant in the 1980s and now appears to be a private residence. In the 1920s and 1930s, and even as late as the 1950s, filling and service station franchises employed much more creative architecture than they do today. It has been suggested that the half-timbered details of this structure were a nod to the Scottish heritage of Culloden but there is no way to confirm that at this time.

Culloden Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Depot, Circa 1904, Culloden

This was a depot before becoming a store and filling station. Considering its approximate date of construction, it was likely built by the Macon & Birmingham Railroad or, perhaps, the Southern Railway. I have a couple of books on the Southern Railway, however, and can find no references to a depot at Culloden.

Culloden Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Culloden Primitive Baptist Church, Circa 1909

Culloden Primitive Baptist Church was constituted on 10 April 1909 and this structure is contemporary to that date. The two-steeple style is mostly associated with African-American churches today but at one time was a widely used form.

Culloden Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Blalock-Elliot House, Circa 1909, Culloden

This beautifully maintained house, a transitional Victorian, is a standout in the exceptional residential area of Culloden. I have also seen reference to a construction date of 1904, so I’m not sure which is correct.

Culloden Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Fuller House, Circa 1914, Culloden

Culloden Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Abandoned Warehouse, 1894, Culloden

The area around Culloden was first settled in 1739 by Scottish Highlanders who came from eastern Georgia.

It was many years later, after 1780, that the settlement came to be named Cullodenville after William Culloden.

The three brick tiles seen below (and left of the door above) were likely a patch.

A resource survey dates this building to 1894. It may have been built earlier than that.

Update: As of July 2017, this structure has collapsed.

Culloden Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

 

Holmes Hotel, 1894, Culloden

Joseph Oxford “Joe” Holmes* (1844-1922) built this boarding house in 1894 and it served this purpose until Mr. Holmes’s death. It has been a private residence ever since.

*-Mr. Holmes, a native of Yatesville in Upson County, was wounded in the Civil War and imprisoned by the Union at High Bridge, Virginia.

Culloden Historic District,  National Register of Historic Places

Battle of Culloden Historic Marker

On April 19, 1865, a part of Wilson’s Federal Raiders, moving toward Macon, encountered the “Worrill Grays” near this spot. The “Grays,” numbering less than 200 men, fought a magnificent battle, greatly outnumbered. After a two-hour battle they finally yielded to the superior force, leaving their dead and wounded in Federal hands. So fierce was the fighting that the two men in the 17th Indiana (mounted) Infantry who captured the flag of this fighting unit, were awarded Medals of Honor by the United States Government.

This marker was placed by the Georgia Historical Commission in 1956.

Culloden Historic District, National Register of Historic Places