Evie Whitfield writes: When I was growing up there in the ’50s, the house was owned by Mr. Ed McEntire.
McEntire House, Circa 1900, Carnesville
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Category Archives: –FRANKLIN COUNTY GA–
Franklin County Courthouse, 1906, Carnesville
This is one of two courthouses in Georgia designed by the Knoxville, Tennessee, architectural firm of W. Chamberlain & Company. The other is in Berrien County. Franklin County was one of the first counties created in Georgia after the Revolutionary War, dating to 1784. Carnesville has been the county seat since 1806.
National Register of Historic Places
United Methodist Church, Carnesville
This is now home to another church.
Ayers-Little Boarding House, Circa 1840 & 1885, Carnesville
The first part of this house was built circa 1840 as a residence and tavern and in 1860 was purchased by Jeremiah Ayers. He joined the original part of the house and an adjacent post office with a breezeway. Ayers was a merchant and tanner and upon his death in 1885 his widow Louisa and their daughter Lizzie began taking in boarders to help support themselves. They lived in the basement and rented the upper rooms. Lizzie married Robert Little in 1901. They raised their children here and continued to take in boarders. Around 1930 they renovated and slightly expanded the boarding house and opened a coffee shop in the dining room. After Mr. Little’s death in 1943, Lizzie continued operating the business. In 1949, she became editor of the Carnesville Herald. She died in 1963.
National Register of Historic Places
W. M. Dansby House, Lavonia
This vernacular Craftsman cottage was originally built circa 1914. It’s located adjacent to the Vandiver property. W. R. Woodruff writes: This is Reverend W. M. Dansby’s home. He rebuilt it in the 30’s or 40’s by himself after a boarder accidentally set it on fire.
Vandiver Tenant House, 1922, Lavonia
This was built by Ernest Vandiver, Sr., and was likely employee housing for his cotton seed business, though it could have been an office or pay house.
Vandiver Warehouse, Circa 1904, Lavonia
This was part of Ernest Vandiver, Sr.’s, cotton seed business. Vandiver was the father of Governor Ernest Vandiver.
Gravesite of Governor Ernest Vandiver, Lavonia
Samuel Ernest Vandiver, Jr., (1918-2005) who was born in nearby Canon, served as Georgia’s 73rd governor from 1959-1963. During his administration, the archaic county unit system that gave local political bosses vast power, was ended. This was seen as a step forward for Georgia but angered many of its beneficiaries. Honesty and fiscal responsibility were hallmarks of Governor Vandiver’s term. After leaving the governor’s office, he practiced law, first in Atlanta and then back in Lavonia. His wife, Betty, was a niece of U. S. Senator Richard B. Russell.
James J. Burton House, 1910, Lavonia
This house was built for the manager of the Southern Cotton Oil Company. It’s on a busy section of the Augusta Highway and a lot zoned for business and therefore endangered. It has great Arts & Crafts stained glass window panels throughout.
As of late 2021, this structure has been replaced by a dollar store.
Dr. T. W. Freeman House, 1880s, Lavonia
Dr. Freeman was a medical doctor who also owned a drug store in Lavonia.
Vickery Street Historic District, National Register of Historic Places