Category Archives: –IRWIN COUNTY GA–

Dr. Leroy Dorminy House, Ocilla

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This Tudor Revival landmark was the home of Dr. Arthur Leroy Dorminy (1923-2016) and is still owned by his family. Dr. Dorminy was a beloved veterinarian with many clients in the Ocilla area throughout his long career. My parents have fond memories of him from the time he took care of our German Shepherd, Lucky, in the 1970s. My mother still remembers what a kind man he was.

In addition to his practice, he founded the Christian Veterinary Mission (CVM) in 1976. The CVM provides care to communities generally not well-served by the veterinary profession, and trains and assists veterinarians in underdeveloped nations all over the world. The Dorminy House, which serves the CVM at the University of Georgia, is dedicated to Dr. Dorminy, himself a 1950 graduate of the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine.

Ocilla Community House, 1939

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The Ocilla Community House was built between 1938-1939 as a project of the City of Ocilla and the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a New Deal agency. A. S. Harris served as chairman of the building committee with A. T. Fuller, A. G. Shivers, and W. A. Tankersley, Jr. Claude McNeil was mayor of Ocilla at the time. Herman Hall, W. B. Hawes, Otto Griner, W. H. Simms, and T. A. Crouch served on the city council. The architect, Lauren Parrott (1901-1973), also designed another New Deal project, the Ocilla High School. Parrott built several public buildings and homes in the area.

The Community House has hosted numerous social gatherings, meetings, and school dances, as well as other events, in its 86 year history, and continues to serve its original purpose.

Note: This replaces a post which originally appeared on 28 January 2009.

Hay Barn, Irwin County

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I identified this as the “Mixon-Daniels Barn” in my notes, as it was located on Mixon-Daniels Lane, near the Riverbend community. I think they sold sweet potatoes at this farm years ago. The photograph dates to 2014.

Empowerment Temple Church of God by Faith, Ocilla

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The Church of God by Faith is described as “a Methodist denomination aligned with the Holiness movement”. It was founded by John “Daddy” Bright in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1914, and has over 200 congregations today. Along with the A.M.E., C.M.E., Missionary Baptists, and Church of God in Christ, it’s one of the leading Black denominations in Georgia.

Eclectic Craftsman Bungalow, Irwin County

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This small Craftsman-influenced cottage has eclectic features, such as the high-pitched flying porticoes over the side doors. There are no exposed rafters as you’d expect in a Craftsman, either, but I think it’s still strongly influenced by the style. It’s reminiscent of the old travel courts that were popular in the 1930s-1940s. It has always been one of my favorite houses in the area.

Shotgun House, Irwin County

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This photo was made in 2010 and like many I’ve shared today, the house is probably gone by now. It’s a classic example of a shotgun house.

Winged-Gable Farmhouse, Irwin County

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This old farmhouse was located in the southwestern part of Irwin County, off Five Bridge Road, and I drove past it for many years wondering if it would survive, and who lived here and made it a home. This photograph from my archives dates to 2012, and was made in the winter, because the house was almost completely hidden by vegetation during the spring and summer months. I don’t know its fate but suspect it is gone.

Saddlebag Farmhouse, Irwin County

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This saddlebag house has an attached wing. If true to the form, it originally had two front doors. I photographed it in 2012 in the Satilla Church area and am not sure if it’s still standing.

Holt Baptist Church, Irwin County

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Holt Baptist Church is one of several historic congregations in the Holt community. It was founded by George Washington Freeman (1855-1930) and Susan Amanda House Freeman (1863-1968) in 1916. It’s likely the church building was constructed around this time. The Freemans came to Irwin County from Wilkes County. I believe Mrs. Freeman was a native of Lincoln County.

Winged-Gable Farmhouse, Irwin County

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This house was the center of a small farm that was kept up for many years, even when no one lived here. The photograph dates to 2010; the house was recently demolished. There are still barns on the property, painted bright red like the house.