This is similar to another house in Hawkinsville known as the Columns of Georgia, but I don’t know anything about it yet.
Neoclassical Revival House, Hawkinsville
9 Replies
Category Archives: Hawkinsville GA
James Oliver Jelks House, Mid-1840s, Hawkinsville
This unusual Greek Revival is also known as the Way House.
Smith House, 1860, Hawkinsville
This was built as a four-room house just before the Civil War. The second floor was added soon thereafter. When a fire destroyed Hawkinsville’s only hotel in the 1880s, a 22-room addition was added to this house and it was known as the Octagon Hotel, for its octagonal porch. The hotel addition was removed in 1946 and the house remodeled and restored. It remains in the Smith family today.
Merritt-Ragan House, 1840, Hawkinsville
Originally a one-story home built by Simon and Maria Merritt, this was remodeled in 1895 by T. B. Ragan, who added the second floor and architectural details. It has recently been completely renovated and is one of the most imposing houses in Hawkinsville.
National Register of Historic Places
Nathaniel Augustus Jelks House, 1910, Hawkinsville
This perfectly proportioned Neoclassical cottage was built for Planters Bank president Nathaniel Augustus “Gus” Jelks and his wife Lila.
Merritt House, Hawkinsville
The date of this cottage is unclear, but it’s said to have been built in the early 19th century. Though Hawkinsville was incorporated in 1830, it first prospered in the mid-1840s. My guess would be the house dates to one of those decades. It was restored in 1989. The dormer and portico appear to be early 20th century additions.
Dr. Nathaniel P. Jelks House, Circa 1870, Hawkinsville
Thought to have been designed by architect J. H. Russell for Dr. Nathaniel Polhill Jelks (1845-1911) and his wife Kathleen Lamkin Jelks, this house has always been one of my favorites in Hawkinsville, even before its restoration.
I worried for many years that it would be lost, as it had become weather-worn and abandoned. The present restoration was done using a photograph provided the present owners by descendants of Dr. Jelks.
According to a post on Access Genealogy*, which I have abridged : Dr. Nathaniel Polhill Jelks, fourth son of James Oliver Jelks and Mary Polhill, was born July 18, 1845, in Hawkinsville, Pulaski County, Georgia, where he died March 28, 1911. When six years old his family moved to Oglethorpe, Georgia, after two years moving to Hamilton County, Florida, where he received his early education, later studying in Augusta, Georgia. In 1863 he entered the Confederate Army, enlisting in Company I, Second Florida Cavalry, under General Jones…He was wounded at the Battle of Natural Bridge, Florida, March 6, 1865, in which the enemy was defeated. After the Confederates laid down their arms, he surrendered with his command at Baldwin, Fla.
When peace came again to the land, he entered upon the study of medicine, and was graduated at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, in 1868. He immediately began the practice of medicine in Hawkinsville, Ga. In this profession he gained distinction and success, was a member of the Georgia Medical Association, and at one time president of the South Georgia Medical Association…
In addition to his profession he was for many years connected with the drug business, and was one of the leading planters of the county. He was active in civic matters, serving his people whenever and wherever he could. He was one of the earliest members of the board of education that established our present system of public schools. His love and fidelity for his profession were only equaled by that for his church...
December 6, 1870, he married Kathleen Lamkin, daughter of James L. Lamkin, a prominent planter, and Sarah Dillard Lamkin. To them were born seven children: [Kathleen, Edwin Lamkin, Lilly, Needham Polhill, Mary, Maud, and Ruth].
December 20, 1892, Dr. Jelks was married a second time to Kate Pate, daughter of A. C. Pate, a distinguished judge of Pulaski County. To her two children were born: [Pate Anthony, and Georgia].
*-The original source appears to be: Rev. J. L. Baggott, Biographies of Pulaski County Georgia, Daughters of the American Revolution,1935.
McAllister House, 1905, Hawkinsville
This home has brick walls that are approximately 8″ thick. It was built by John and Mami McAllister. Upon John’s death, Mami married his brother, Cal. When Mami died, the housekeeper, Nellie Suggs, inherited the house.
Colonial Revival House, 1910, Hawkinsville
Sidney Smith House, 1898, Hawkinsville
