The rear section of this very eclectic house is a Plantation Plain form.
Eclectic Gabled-Ell House, Oliver
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Category Archives: –SCREVEN COUNTY GA–
Relocation of the Paradise Restaurant Sign, Cooperville
Like many other photographers and travelers on US 301, I’ve shot the iconic Paradise Restaurant sign numerous times over the years. It’s a landmark that most who have ever driven past remember fondly. By researching postcards of the restaurant I’ve discovered that a smaller sign preceded this one and was still in use until at least the early 1960s. I’m not sure when this sign was placed, but my guess would be sometime in the 1960s. A comment from Jerry Levy on a previous post about the sign indicates that the restaurant was open as late as 1982.
I recently got a message from Melissa Birmingham stating that the sign would be removed and relocated to the business that she and her husband Greg operate across the highway, the Cooperville Caboose restaurant. I was sad to hear that it would be removed but less so after talking to Melissa. She invited me to come up and document the removal of the sign.
Dollar General bought the property on the corner that includes the historic sign and their plans were to scrap it.
Melissa and Greg knew that the loss of the sign would be a blow to the community and saving it isn’t a publicity stunt.
It’s where preservation and community involvement come together for good results. The Sylvania Telephone (newspaper) and Screven County Chamber of Commerce were present to witness the event.
It looks like the volunteers enjoyed the day, as did I. Melissa sent me packing with great barbecue and slaw.
Log Tenant Farmhouse, Screven County
This amazing survivor is located just outside Sylvania on US 301.
Pyramidal Roof Tenant Farmhouse, Screven County
Few examples of this form survive today. It’s located just outside Sylvania on US 301.
Board-and-Batten Tenant Farmhouse, Screven County
Oak Grove Methodist Church, 1919, Screven County
Oak Grove stands at the end of a lonely dirt road in rural Screven County, not far from the Savannah River and the South Carolina state line. It’s as perfect a setting for such a place as one could imagine. Established in the first generation after slavery, the congregation dates to 1876. The first church built here is now lost to history, but was likely of crude construction. The present structure, which is critically endangered and probably beyond saving, was built in 1919. It was in use until the 1970s or early 1980s. The congregation survives at another location today.
Nothing remains inside the church but the ruins of a York Player Piano. I would advise strongly against entering due to the instability of the structure.
Fishing Camp, Ogeechee River
This private fishing camp is one of a few that still remain on the Ogeechee River.
I hope these sorts of places survive well into the future, but with increasing pollution on our rivers, it seems a challenge.
Just downstream from this camp, illegal chemical discharges at King America Finishing led to the largest fish kill in Georgia history in May 2011, essentially sanctioned by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.
Abandoned Wooden Bridge, Screven County
Near the ghost town of Ogeechee on the Ogeechee River this wooden bridge still stands alongside a newer bridge, built in 1970. I imagine it was a scary trip on the Old Ogeechee Road back in the day, especially during flood stage.
Trinity Church, Screven County
This is located just west of Hiltonia. It appears that some of the lumber has been salvaged.
The front gable features shingles at the corners.
The interior, which must have been a lovely space at one time, is merely a shell of its former self today.
Thanks to Rita Howard for the identification.
Single-Pen Farmhouse, Screven County
This common utilitarian form, once widespread throughout South Georgia, is rapidly disappearing from the landscape.