Built by Dr. Bryan N. Bedingfield, the Bedingfield Inn is among the most important surviving public antebellum structures in Georgia. It has served as inn, private residence, and public space during its history. It has become an unofficial symbol of Lumpkin.
National Register of Historic Places
Lumpkin Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Uptown Lumpkin Residential Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Though it closed its doors in the 1980s, the Singer Company holds the distinction of being the oldest hardware store in Georgia. [It should be noted, however, that the business did not originate as a hardware retailer].
Established by Johan George Singer, who came to Lumpkin from Baltimore in 1838 after initially immigrating from Stuttgart, Germany, in 1835, it remained in the family for five generations. Singer was a cordwainer [cobbler] by trade and initially made boots and shoes.
The store’s first location, a two-story wooden building, was located north of the town square
One of Singer’s older sons, John G. Singer, relocated the business to the northwest corner of the Lumpkin town square during his ownership; he also operated a tanning yard nearby.
Johan George Singer’s youngest son, Fred Sam Singer, was the next owner of the business, and moved it to the present location in 1894.
In subsequent years, Fred’s sons, Jess and Julian, expanded the business, which included general merchandise, hardware, groceries, and farm supplies. The last owner was Julian’s son, Sam Singer.
The structure is soon to become home to a local art gallery. Annie Moye, who’s leading the effort, allowed me to photograph some of the interior.
Lumpkin Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
This has always been an interesting house, one of my favorites in Lumpkin. Hiding inside the shingle-sided Queen Anne remodel of circa 1885 is what I believe is a transitional Federal cottage. Jerald Baxter writes: I grew up just outside Lumpkin, in the ’60’s and ’70’s, and then moved back there from 1984-1986. This was called the Barr House; I do not know if that was the name of the original owners…It was on the corner just down from the elementary school, and back then, it had the scary Southern Gothic vibe (the first time I read Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily,” I imagined this house as the setting). James P. Babb adds: It was Miss Julia Barr’s house. Dr. Barr, was the druggist in town.
Alex Streyer notes: I happened across your photo of the Barr House, in Lumpkin. Julia S. Barr was my great Aunt on my father’s side. She lived in the home with her husband (not father) Hampton Barr, pharmacist in Lumpkin. The home was originally the home of my great grand parents, Alex H. Simpson and Louisa Singer Simpson, Julia Simspon Barr (daughter) and my grandmother Lucy Simpson Streyer (daughter). The home was sold by my father, William E. Streyer, Jr. after Julia’s death in the 1970s.
Uptown Lumpkin Residential Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
George Usher was a miller and his house, though expanded and moved across the street from its original location, is among the oldest in Lumpkin.
National Register of Historic Places