Category Archives: Hahira GA

Gold Leaf Hotel, Circa 1940, Hahira

This imposing structure at the crossroads of US Highway 41 and Main Street in downtown Hahira was built circa 1940-1941 to replace an earlier hotel lost to fire circa 1939. Dr. E. J. Smith was an early owner, and many of the rooms were initially rented to local teachers. Dr. Smith’s daughter, Dorothy Salter, later operated this hotel, and another property known as the Wal-Dot, which may have been a motel, with her husband. The old hotel was converted to apartments in the 1990s.

Gold Leaf Florist Sign, Hahira

lowndes county ga gold leaf florist neon sign photograph copyright brian brown vanishing south georgia usa 2008

Tobacco has been such an important part of Hahira’s history that they even had a newspaper called the Gold Leaf for many years. This florist’s sign just outside town has been a landmark to travelers on Highway 41 for many years. Apparently, the business closed in the 1980s.