Category Archives: Stillwell GA

Jim & Lottie Simmons House, Circa 1889, Stillwell

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Anyone who’s ever passed through the idyllic Stillwell community has inevitably noticed two places: the old Gnann store & post office, and this stately Folk Victorian home. Situated at the center of what remains of this historic community, this well-shaded house seems just about perfect. The Simmons family has ties to the earliest days of Stillwell.

As to locating a date for the house, that has proven more complicated than finding a name for it. One source dates it to 1889, another to 1901, and yet another to 1919. For now, I’m going with the 1889 date, but I could be wrong. Folk Victorians actually came into prominence around 1900-1910 and maybe the different dates signify changes made to the structure. Whatever its year of origin, it’s definitely a landmark in this part of Effingham County.

Alvin & Lena Gnann House, Circa 1889, Stillwell

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This is of the style commonly called “Plantation Plain”. This particular house has been stabilized and is a very nice example of this popular 19th-century design. It’s possibly of antebellum origin.

The History of Effingham County states: Bertie and Effie Gnann are considered the “First Family” of Stillwell, having staked their future in the town and being life long residents. The Gnann’s built the first house in town, which was a one-story frame residence with a gingerbread porch. Bertie opened a small store with his brother Alvin in 1892. The store was located along the railroad tracks next to the present Post Office building. In addition to being a grocery store, the building served as the headquarters for the freight agent and served as the location of the first post office. Bertie, along with his brothers Henry and Willie, operated the first saw mill in the town. The brothers later added a grist mill, planing mill, stave mill, and cotton gin. Bertie Gnann also served as Stillwell’s first post master, remaining in that capacity for 47 years. The original house was replaced with the present two-story house in the 1930s.

 

Henry & Carrie Gnann House, Circa 1894, Stillwell

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This house is in really nice condition and a favorite of mine in the area. The History of Effingham County notes: Henry Gnann, the oldest of the Gnann brothers in Stillwell, operated a sawmill along with his brothers Bertie and Willie. His wife Carrie died in 1907. Gnann raised his 5 children in the house

Bertie & Effie Gnann House, 1932, Stillwell

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Brick Foursquare House Aermotor Windmill White Picket Fence Stillwell GA Effingham County Photograph Copyright Brian Brown Vanishing South Georgia USA 2014

A 1990 Georgia Historic Resources survey notes: Bertie and Effie Gnann are considered the “First Family” of Stillwell, having staked their future in the town and being life long residents. The Gnann’s built the first house in town, which was a one-story frame residence with a gingerbread porch. Bertie opened a small store with his brother Alvin in 1892. The store was located along the railroad tracks next to the present Post Office building. In addition to being a grocery store, the building served as the headquarters for the freight agent and served as the location of the first post office. Bertie, along with his brothers Henry and Willie, operated the first saw mill in the town. The brothers later added a grist mill, planing mill, stave mill, and cotton gin. Bertie Gnann also served as Stillwell’s first post master, remaining in that capacity for 47 years. The original house was replaced with the present two-story house in the 1930s.

The present house is an eclectic American Foursquare, with Mediterranean Revival elements, quite a progressive architecture for this small settlement. The sunroom is a nice feature, unusual for this form.

Barn with Vintage Signs, Stillwell

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Joey Smith writes: This is my barn…I have a huge passion for historic preservation. The property pictured was in desperate need of repair when I purchased it, this barn had almost falling to the ground, I also restored the 2-story low country house (not pictured) to the right of this barn. Recently I moved a 1 bedroom home, that was built in the early 1800’s to the same property that I’m in the process of restoring.

 

Gnann Store & Post Office, Circa 1904, Stillwell

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This is one of my favorite places in Effingham County. It was very typical in the early 20th century to find post offices located inside general stores. A resource survey dates the building to 1904 . Joey Smith writes: The Stillwell Post Office was established in 1892. Cletus Gnann served as its postmaster until 1940. Members of his family, Mrs. Frances Gnann and Miss Ethel Gnann, served as postmistresses until 1986, when the Stillwell Post Office was closed. The building was built around 1920. It was a residence, then a general store ( note the old gas pump under the porch on the left), and lastly a post office.

C. B. Gnann writes: I am, 82 years, the last Gnann that lived in Stillwell. The second floor was used for living while the the original house, which was about 1700 feet to the west, was removed and replaced with brick…It was a general store, and used a residence. Not reverse. I’m not sure which dates is correct.