When I was a teenager, the Datsun 280-Z was a really popular sports car. I don’t think Nissan even made them under the Datsun name in the 1980s but there were still a lot on the road and they were a bit of a status symbol for a certain set of kids. I don’t see many anymore and just thought I’d share this one from the archives.
Tyrus Raymond Cobb was born on 18 December 1886 at a place known as (The) Narrows in nearby Banks County. He is one of the immortal legends of the sport and spent most of his career (1905-1928) with the Detroit Tigers, finishing with the Philadelphia Athletics. He was the first man inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936. Ty Cobb, like his peers of the era, didn’t make a fortune in baseball but he invested his earnings into Coca-Cola and other stocks and made millions. His donations helped build the first comprehensive hospital in Franklin County, in memory of his parents. In 1953 he created the Cobb Educational Fund to assist students in need. The hospital has grown exponentially and the scholarships are still being awarded. Cobb died in Atlanta on 17 July 1961.
The statue was commissioned by C & S Bank president Mills Lane and created by the great sculptor, Felix de Weldon, who is best known for the iconic Marine Corps (Iwo Jima) Memorial in Washington, D.C. It was first placed at the old Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in 1977 and made the move to Turner Field in 1997. When the Braves left Turner Field for SunTrust Park in 2017, they decided to leave the Cobb statue behind, citing it wasn’t theirs to move. The Atlanta Recreation Authority and Georgia State University both made claims for the statue but ultimately relinquished it to the City of Royston. It’s become the biggest tourist attraction in town, and really, where else would it need to be?
Like the larger statue of Ty Cobb directly in front of it, this monument has been moved to a place of prominence in front of the library. The reverse side lists some of Cobb’s myriad records, many of which will likely never be broken.
This modern storefront is presently home to the Royston Drug Store, which has been in business since 1913. I’m unsure when they moved into this building. It was built by or for C. N. Weatherly, as identified on the column.
Royston Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Royston has a good number of historic commercial “blocks” still standing. This was an auto parts store at one time but I’m unsure of its original use. I will update when I learn more.
Royston Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Royston Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
This was most likely built to serve a commercial purpose and became the post office later. Many original elements have been retained but the loss of the windows and fanlights on the first floor is very unfortunate.
Royston Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Royston Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Cunningham Furniture was originally located just down the street, in the Dorough Building but moved here before 1930. Joe Cunningham was a friend of Ty Cobb and was not only a furniture retailer but also a craftsman. He made bats for Ty Cobb.
Royston Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
The Elberton Air-Line Railroad first built a line through Royston in the late 1870s. After a series of mergers the line became property of the Southern Railway, who built this depot in 1904. The city now owns and rents the depot for public use.
Royston Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Vanishing Georgia: Photographs by Brian Brown 