This local landmark dates to at least the 1940s, and perhaps earlier. And, they still have a soda fountain and hand-dipped ice cream. The Art Deco storefront, once commonly seen on pharmacies and jewelry stores, is largely intact.
Elberton Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Doug Anderson’s Barber Shop almost looks like a museum but has been a fixture in downtown Elberton for many years. It’s located in the basement of the old First National Bank Building and is a local landmark in itself. You might not be able to see them clearly, as I shot these through windows, but there’s an autographed photo of Brenda Lee, local photos and ephemera, and one of those tongue-in-cheek posters of a Native American promising “hair cuts, guaranteed painless and quick”.
Musician Seth Martin wrote on the Vanishing Georgia Instagram: tons of memories of this spot. First hair cut, Doug’s boots on the granite steps, cokes from old style machine, Hess trucks everywhere, the old tanning booths in the back, Doyle, etc., etc., etc., like a movie…
Susan Crawford adds: Doug Anderson was a piano student of mine in Elberton about 1974-5. He was already an established barber and also played in a band. At that time he drove a 1940s black Chevrolet. He got it when he was in high school and kept it in perfect shape. If he’s still driving it – and he may well be! – it might be worth a picture. Doug was a real gentleman.
My photographs of the shop date to the mid-2010s, but I believe the business is still going strong.
Elberton Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
After hearing the news of the destruction of the Georgia Guidestones in the early morning hours of 6 July 2022, I decided to revisit my photographs of the place. I’ve talked to people from Elberton and most just thought of them as a curiosity, but they were a tourist attraction; how much impact they actually had on the community in this regard has always been up for debate.
They also fed conspiracy theories, most recently highlighted by gubernatorial candidate Kandiss Taylor (3.4% of the vote in the 2022 Republican primary) who declared them “satanic” and made their removal a tenet of her candidacy.
Elberton mayor Daniel Graves recently told Stephen Fowler, in an interview on NPR’s Morning Edition: “[the] county is a solidly conservative and religiously observant, so outside voices claiming Satan’s hold on the stones don’t add up. “Our view of righteousness is not an Almighty God that needs zealots to do his dirty work and destruction,” Graves said. “That’s hatred … all the dynamite in the world can’t change a man’s heart.”
The only controversy regarding this relatively plain monument when it was unveiled on 22 March 1980 had to do with its origins and the identity of its mysterious patron. The man chose his pseudonym, R. C. Christian, because of his faith, but nothing else was ever revealed. Perhaps that’s what helped feed growing theories regarding the “New World Order” and satanism over time.
Occupying the highest point in Elbert County, the Guidestones were sometimes referred to as America’s Stonehenge, even though Stonehenge was laid out in a circular fashion and the Guidestones formed an “x”. There only similarity to Stonehenge was in their use as a sort of celestial sundial.
Elberton is known as the Granite Capital of the World, and is a charming small town. Personally, I prefer the area’s architectural gems, but I think it will be a challenge to draw people to the area on that aspect alone.
As Elberton Star editor Rose Scoggins told NPR: “I do think that we will slowly start to see just how big of an impact they had, because it will affect our tourism…I think we will unfortunately see that decline.“
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) hasn’t released any updates recently, but they do have video footage of the vehicle that was at the site just before the explosive device was detonated. Elbert County intends to prosecute anyone responsible.
Two slabs were destroyed in the initial explosion and the GBI took out the remaining stones as a safety measure. For now, to my knowledge, there aren’t plans to replace the Guidestones.
Anna King O’Neal writes: W. C. Smith was a prominent merchant, arriving in Elberton in 1880. He was also a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died in 1909.
Elberton Residential Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
William J. Clark was a merchant and one of the leading citizens of Elbert County when he built this home, which may have originated as a Plantation Plain with Greek Revival elements added later. Clark was killed in the Civil War. Thanks to Anna King O’Neal for the identification.
Elberton Residential Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
This large commercial block has been home to numerous businesses over the years, including a stone supply company and appliance service. If not too far gone, it would be a great restoration project.
Elberton Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
One of Georgia’s finest old depots, this is now home to the Elbert County Historical Society.
National Register of Historic Places
While photographing Elberton, I ran across this wonderful house and briefly spoke to the owner, who graciously allowed me and a friend to photograph it. She informed us that it’s the oldest house in Elberton. I just want to thank everyone in the Granite City for being so friendly and welcoming, and I’d like to give a special thanks to Anna King for helping with identifications of many of the local landmarks I photographed. It’s a great city and I’ll definitely be back to photograph what I missed on the last trip. Please take the time to drive around the next time you’re just passing through. You won’t be disappointed.
Elberton Residential Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Built by architect William Wallis for Luther Martin Heard and featuring a Ludowici tile roof, this is one of Elberton’s grandest homes. It’s still owned by a descendant of Mr. Heard.
Elberton Residential Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Vanishing Georgia: Photographs by Brian Brown 