This structure near New Daniels Baptist Church is a bit of a mystery to me. There are remnants of old signs on the front but they are unreadable.
The signs made me think of a store or commissary, but the layout of the structure doesn’t necessarily support that. It has been patched at some point and it’s hard to ascertain whether what looks like a door on the gable end was actually a window. If a door, it would certainly be akin to store/commissary design.
The ruins of another structure across the road definitely have a commercial appearance.
This congregation was established in 1905, and the church was probably built soon thereafter. It’s my guess that New Daniels (also referred to as New Daniel) was an offshoot of the Old Daniel Baptist Church. Relatives of my great-grandmother [Bohannon and Harrell families] were members at Old Daniel, but unfortunately, I can’t find any history of either congregation. I will update if I learn more.
This structure was the original home of the First Presbyterian Church. The congregation was established in 1877 and services were held in the courthouse until the completion of the church building in 1892. The Reverend William McKay served as the first pastor. The town’s’ namesake, William Pitt Eastman was among the first members, along with Miss Carro C. Eastman, Fannie P. Chandler, Lillie E. Chandler, Mary De Groat, Mrs. John Gardiner, Ursula Roberts, Joseph W. Sheldon, Nancy Sheldon, George W. Sheldon, John D. Sheldon, and Mary Russell. William Pitt Eastman and Joseph W. Sheldon were elected Ruling Elders, but Mr. Eastman declined the office.
Phillip Harrell notes that this was also used as the Catholic Church for a time.
Before Sonny Seiler’s white English Bulldogs, known as the Ugas, came to prominence as the most recognizable collegiate mascots in the nation in 1956, there was Mr. Angel.
Mr. Angel was the first English bulldog to serve as the mascot for the University of Georgia. The brindle-and-white bulldog was owned by Dr. Warren A. Coleman of Eastman and served the school from 1944-1946, while Coleman’s daughter, Marie Coleman Wilson, was enrolled at the University.
Dr. Coleman’s home was located on the site of the present-day Magnolia State Bank in downtown Eastman, and upon his death, Mr. Angel was buried in the yard, hence the location of this monument at the site. The marker notes of Mr. Angel: His beautiful appearance and captivating personality inspired the athletes of the University of Georgia to insist English bulldogs remain as the school’s representative…
Mascot Trivia: Before Mr. Angel, the first known mascot to serve the University of Georgia was “The Goat”, who made appearances at two football games during the 1892 season. The first dog to serve as mascot was a Bull Terrier named Trilby, in 1894. After Mr. Angel, and before the Ugas, three other brindle bulldogs served: Butch, Tuffy, and Mike.
Houses of this type are generally identified as tenant properties, though many likely began as starter homes for small farmers. As the farms evolved, they may have been repurposed as housing for sharecroppers or other tenants. This isn’t to say that scores of these weren’t built specifically for tenant use, but it’s important to point out that not all were originally built for that purpose. It’s impossible to pinpoint without knowing the specific history of a property, but something to consider when recording such places.
This historic farm in northern Dodge County is amazingly intact and a wonderful example of a self-sufficient agricultural enterprise. It likely dates to the late 19th century, with expansions made over the years.
The farm is anchored by this Folk Victorian house, an outstanding example of the form.
The defining features of the house are the cutout porch posts. Whereas most Folk Victorians use machine-turned posts to embellish an otherwise plain structure, these examples appear to have been personally designed by the home’s builder, who obviously had specialized carpentry skills.
In addition to the majestic cedar trees flanking the house, camellias planted long ago continue to thrive.
Several historic outbuildings survive, illustrating the progression of the property well into the 20th century.
