Category Archives: –EARLY COUNTY GA–

Hilton Methodist Church, 1890, Early County

A 1994 historic marker placed by the Historic Chattahoochee Foundation and the church reads: The Hilton Methodist Episcopal Church, South was organized in 1850. The first church was erected one mile southwest of Hilton on the Lower River Road. This structure was sold after the Civil War and services were then conducted in an arbor. E. Hilton deeded land to the church trustees for the present site on November 1, 1889. The pegged-frame building for the Hilton United Methodist Church was built in 1890 and the social hall was added in 1973.

Knighton’s Store, Hilton

According to his descendants, this was Oscar Franklin Knighton’s store.

Coheelee Creek Covered Bridge, 1891, Early County

Built by J. W. Baughman in 1891, this 121-foot span over McDonald’s Ford was restored by John Cherry in 1984. It is the southernmost covered bridge in the United States. Baughman’s grandson, J. W. Baughman III, writes that he was born in 1861 in Lexington, South Carolina, and died in 1923 in Dothan. Iron gates have now been placed at both ends of the bridge due to graffiti and other damage to the bridge.

 

National Register of Historic Places

 

Tom’s Barber Shop, Blakely

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

City Hall & Fire Department, 1939, Blakely

This was built by the Federal Emergency Administration as a New Deal project.

Blakely Court Square Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Early County Courthouse, 1905, Blakely

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

Main Street, Blakely

Blakely Court Square Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 1916, Blakely

An excellent history of the church can be found here.

Blakely Court Square Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Shoe Repair Sign, Blakely

At one time, tradesmen advertised their wares by shape, as literacy was not as widespread as it is today. Very few of these “shingles” survive; this one in Blakely is one of the few remaining in Georgia.

Blakely Court Square Historic District, National Register of Historic Places