Central Hallway House, Grovania
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Category Archives: –HOUSTON COUNTY GA–
New Perry Hotel, 1925, Perry
The New Perry Hotel was established in 1894 as Cox’s Inn and underwent several renovations and changes of ownership in its history. The 1925 redesign was the brainchild of owner Rochelle Cheeves Skellie, a rare female entrepreneur of the time. A longtime icon with travelers and diners alike, it recently [as of 2016] ceased operation.
Update: As of 2024, the City of Perry is poised to issue a demolition permit for the property. It was demolished in July 2024.
Perry United Methodist Church, Circa 1861, Houston County
Perhaps Perry’s most historic structure, this church was begun at the outset of the Civil War. The congregation dates to 1826 and at least two buildings served as home to the Methodist church prior to the construction of this one. The architect of the present church, D. P. Flandreau, of Chester, New York, was so taken with the South that he left Perry to serve with the Confederacy as a member of the Southern Rights Guard. Legend suggests that an enslaved man named Pete, belonging to W. M. Davis, was sent by his enslaver to learn architecture in the North, was granted his freedom after building such a fine home for Davis. It is suggested that with the help of other slaves they completed this church while their enslavers were away at war.
Houston Lodge #35, F. & A. M., 1850, Perry
Chartered in 1844, Houston Lodge met in various locations until moving into the present structure in downtown Perry in 1850.
Georgia Southern & Florida Railroad Depot, Grovania
It’s hard to believe that Grovania once serviced two railroads, but until about 1920, the Ocilla Southern also ran through the community. I’ve not been able to locate a date for this depot, but I believe it’s probably from the first two decades of the 20th century.
Marshall House, Circa 1848, Houston County
This fine Greek Revival plantation house has a double front door and double central hallway. It’s likely one of the oldest standing houses in Houston County. Thanks to James M. Marshall for the identification.
Unidentified Vernacular Building, Elko
This may have been a commissary, office building, or precinct house. It’s located next door to the Davis Store and old Elko post office.
Davis Store + Post Office, Elko
Shavius Alford writes: As much as I know from my grandmother and others, it was owned by a man named Paul Davis. I went to this store as a child when it still had a gas pump and post office; and later it was reopened but finally closed. Mike Stokes adds: ...it served as the post office until the early 1990’s when the new post office was built across Elko Road.
Bank of Elko Building, Circa 1900
This is now the Elko Cast Stone Company. It originally served as the Bank of Elko.
Elko Baptist Church, Houston County
Elko Baptist was organized in 1890. I believe the church building is contemporary to that date but I haven’t been able to locate a history.