This is likely a WPA school. I had misidentified it as being in Putnam County, but thanks to Connie Taylor Cason and Suzanne Smith Forte, I was able to correctly identify it. Suzanne notes that it was probably closed sometime in the 1930s.
This is located off Georgia Highway 212, near Smithboro.
This house appears to empty, but in good shape. Like many I-Houses (Plantation Plain), it’s been modified and expanded over time. My friend Andrew Wood writes: “The original log cabin (which appears as the middle section in your photo) was built in the 1810’s or 20’s by John Brewer with the front section built in the 1830’s (though i think 1840’s at least) and the rear kitchen wing probably in the 1850’s”.
As of November 2017, I’ve learned that this house is imminently endangered and faces a very uncertain future. I hope it can be saved.
Update: As of 2019 this house has reportedly been moved.
Organized in the early 1800s, Concord is one of the most historic churches in Jasper County. It has served both Baptist and Primitive Baptist congregations. Though I don’t believe it’s active today, it appears that it’s still in use for special events. It appears to be well-maintained.
The stacked stone pillars are an indicator of the structure’s age, but not a specific one. My guess is that the church dates to the late 1840s or just after the Civil War. I’d love to know more.
The slat-back pews are among the most unique I’ve seen in any church.
Samuel Blackwell. a large landowner in this area, was instrumental in the founding of Hopewell Baptist in the late 1840s. The structure likely dates to the 1870s. Blackwell’s family is well represented in the small adjacent cemetery.
The building is in very unstable condition but hopefully, it can be saved.
This Neoclassical Revival courthouse was designed by T. F. Lockwood.
Monticello Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Monticello has a very inviting courthouse square, with beautiful commercial architecture surrounding a people-friendly park.
Typical turn-of-the-century commercial architecture is still in regular use.
Take some time to walk around the square and check it out.
One of the standouts to me is the the Masonic Lodge (left) and the Greek Revival insurance office that was likely once a bank.
Monticello Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
This house was built by Thomas Jefferson Smith, presumably in the late 1820s, and was moved from Hillsboro to this location near the courthouse square after his marriage to Nancy Pierce Broddus in 1830. Mr. Smith also operated a large plantation outside town but kept this as a townhouse so his sons could attend the local academy. Smith also built the first three stores in Monticello. He sold the house to Milton S. Benton circa 1890. The Victorian ornamentation was added around the time the house was sold. Mrs. M. S. Benton held the organizational meeting of the Monticello Garden Club [thought to be the second oldest in the nation] here in May 1896.
The house was moved circa 2020.
Monticello Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Monticello Historic District, National Register of Historic Places