I’m always fascinated by single-pen cottages, and while this one was later expanded by the addition of a second room, the original section, at left, is a great example of this humble form. This home is located in the Duncan’s Bottom neighborhood and appears to have been abandoned for quite some time.
St. Paul Primitive Baptist Church was built in 1930 and is the oldest surviving church structure in the historically African-American Montezuma neighborhood known as Duncan’s Bottom. It is centered around Whiteline Street. The church is located adjacent to Mount Pleasant Cemetery. The Black Primitive Baptists, while not as well known as the Missionary Baptist or the African Methodist Episcopal churches, had similar origins. Most congregations evolved out of white congregations to which members were exposed in the days of slavery.
St. Paul is critically endangered at this time, as the roof has collapsed through the middle of the sanctuary. I’m not sure if the congregation is still active.
This impressive Neoclassical Revival landmark is just a few steps up the sidewalk from the McKenzie House, with an English Vernacular Revival cottage in between the two.
Montezuma Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
William Hill McKenzie, Sr. (1872-1955) was a successful businessman in Macon County, as this magnificent Neoclassical Revival mansion would suggest. He was married to Anne Ione “Annie” Lewis McKenzie (1875-1940), and one of their sons shared his father’s name. I presume that this house was built by the elder W. H. McKenzie. Built at the turn of the last century, it continues to be beautifully maintained to this day.
Montezuma Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
I photographed this house, located across from the Baptist church on Dooly Street, in 2016. At the time, there was a sign in the front yard that read: “Bethlehem Baptist Church, Jerry Sanders, Pastor”. I don’t know the association, but apparently, the house was used in some way by that congregation.
Note: This replaces a post originally published on 24 July 2016 as “Folk Victorian House, Montezuma”
Montezuma Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Travelers Rest was an early community near the banks of the Flint River, settled circa 1830 as pioneers pushed westward in the Georgia interior. On land given by pioneer David Jones in 1836, the Methodists established a church and cemetery here, which they shared with Travelers Rest Baptist until that congregation built a new home, just steps away, in 1867. For many years they were referred to as twin churches.
Travelers Rest was incorporated as Bristol in 1838 but by the 1860s was supplanted in importance by the growing communities of Oglethorpe and Montezuma, a few miles distant. Since most members of Travelers Rest Methodist moved their letters to new congregations in those communities, the church was deeded to the Travelers Rest C. M. E. Church in 1884. The present structure was built circa 1890 by the African-Americans and hosted its last service in 1994. Graves of black and white members are scattered around the building, mostly obscured by vegetation today and in desperate need of attention.
Montezuma Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Montezuma Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
William Lee McKenzie (1865-1937) came to Montezuma in 1844. He and his wife, Annie Harrison McKenzie (1870-1921), had five children. Mr. McKenzie was involved in the timber industry and hand-selected the boards for this house, which he built in 1902. Upon his death in 1937, the house was purchased (1939) by his daughter, Leah McKenzie (1891-1948). Miss McKenzie married Jasper Bennett Easterlin, Jr., and the family has remained in this well-loved home for over a century.
Montezuma Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Montezuma Historic District, National Register of Historic Places