Category Archives: –PULASKI COUNTY GA–

Hartford, Georgia

There isn’t much left of the “ghost town” of Hartford. This abandoned building, which was either a store or part of the agribusiness endeavor located next door, is, along with a church, the only evidence of a settlement here. But that isn’t the whole story.

In Georgia’s early days, after lands along the Ocmulgee River were opened to white settlement, the village of Hartford was one of two locations suggested to replace Louisville as the state capital. It was named for Nancy Hart, years before the establishment of Hart County. Milledgeville ultimately won the distinction, largely due to its more central location, but Hartford grew as a result of this attention and after a brief association with Laurens County, became the seat of government of the newly formed county of Pulaski.

It was a crossroads for many of the earliest roads leading south from Milledgeville and west from the coast. Several forts, including Fort Mitchell and Fort Greene, were built nearby to expel Native Americans who had lived in the area for centuries. Andrew Jackson even made camp at Hartford for a week in 1818, during his ongoing campaign against the Seminole nation.

Eventually, the need for higher ground west of the river led to the formation of Hawkinsville, and it became the county seat in 1836.

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Brown-Blount-Brush House, Circa 1908, Hawkinsville

I believe this historic Neoclassical Revival home was recently used as a bed and breakfast inn, perhaps the Black Swan, but is now a private residence again.

New South Cottage, Hawkinsville

This transitional house type was popular between circa 1890-1920. This example likely dates to circa 1910.

Springfield Baptist Church, Hawkinsville

Springfield Baptist is among the oldest African-American congregations in Hawkinsville, dating to just after the Civil War, circa 1865. The cornerstone for the present church building dates to 1957, during the pastorate of Dr. J. F. Glover. I believe this may actually indicate when the brick was added to an earlier structure, judging by the architecture. Deacons at the time were L. B. Slappey, J. Stuckey, M. Nichols, M. L. Clark, and A. Grace. J. L. Bozeman was Chairman of the Trustees, and the board included G. Love, O. L. Barnes, N. Williams, S. Tharpe, R. Young, and W. Anderson.

Commercial Block, Hawkinsville

This building on Commerce Street has always intrigued me, with its row of chimneys and trompe l’oeil windows and awnings. I first thought it was an old firehouse, but apparently, that was in a different location. I hope someone can help me identify it. I would date it to the early 1900s.

Hawkinsville Commercial and Industrial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Dortch Building, 1880, Hawkinsville

According to the Hawkinsville Self-Guided Walking Tour, this structure was built for E. F. Dortch [by local draftsman E. A. Burch] and was among the first masonry buildings in the commercial district. The first floor was a grocery store from the late 1800s and served that purpose well into the 20th century. The second floor served as the Anderson Lodge No. 24 of the International Order of Odd Fellows in the 1880s and 1890s and as a Masonic Lodge in the 1900s and 1910s. In the 1960s and 1970s, the entire building was used as a Coca-Cola Bottling plant.

Hawkinsville Commercial and Industrial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Pulaski Banking Company Building, 1912, Hawkinsville

It’s unknown who the original tenant of this exemplary Classical structure was, but in 1948 it became home to the Pulaski Banking Company. Most likely, judging by the architecture, it originated as another bank.

Hawkinsville Commercial and Industrial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

The Grill, Hawkinsville

The Grill has been a Hawkinsville gathering place since the 1940s and it’s still one of the busiest spots in town. Their hamburgers are some of the best you’ll find in Georgia.

Hawkinsville Commercial and Industrial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Allegorical Cartouche, Hawkinsville

This cartouche is the most prominent of several on this yellow brick storefront, which I haven’t yet identified. It’s a beautiful example.

Hawkinsville Commercial and Industrial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Abandoned Farmhouse, Pulaski County

This may be a tenant house or even an old commissary. It’s hard to tell in its present state. It’s just north of Finleyson.