Category Archives: Sycamore GA

Sycamore, Georgia

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Named for, you guessed it, the trees, Sycamore is the smaller cousin of neighboring Ashburn, and though the lines are somewhat blurred today, is still a town in its own right. Just under 700 people call it home, according to 2020 population estimates.

A typical rural town, Sycamore’s fortunes have always been dependent on the success of agriculture and still counts many farmers among its workforce. But for years, it was also a back-to-school shopping destination for people from Ashburn and other neighboring towns. Denham’s One-Stop was essentially a Walmart of its time, selling everything from overalls to farm equipment, and almost anything else people might need.

The railroad was also important to the town’s growth, and the two main streets, on either side of the tracks, are appropriately known as North and South Railroad Avenues. This scene is about as close as it gets to a view of “downtown Sycamore”.

Alva R. Denham Warehouse, Sycamore

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This old shotgun-style warehouse is located across the street from Denham’s One-Stop. Alva Ray Denham (1922-1983) was the son of Marcus N. Denham (1887-1965), who came to Sycamore from Upson County and married Beulah Ray (1892-1942), a local girl. The Denhams were very active in many aspects of the local economy and social life. This photo dates to 2014.

Denham’s One-Stop, Sycamore

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For much of the 20th century, Denham’s One-Stop was the busiest store in Turner County. Before anyone ever thought of Wal-Mart, there was Denham’s One-Stop. It had a regular storefront and warehouses, like the one seen above, and as a true general store sold almost anything one might need to run a household. Generations of South Georgia schoolchildren from this region made ritual trips to Sycamore to stock up for the year ahead. Nothing like it survives in the area today.

Wynn Peanut & Shelling, Sycamore

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This was one of the first places I photographed when I began the Vanishing Georgia project in 2007-2008. Nearly every small South Georgia town would have had a business like this at one time but many have been absorbed into more general agribusiness operations in the modern era.

Wynn’s Garage, Sycamore

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Wynn’s Garage was a Sycamore landmark for many years. Joy Jones Gregory writes: I remember going to Mr. Julius Wynn’s garage as a young child, with my father. The oil smell, the pot belly heater, an several men always sitting around the warmth. The one other thing I remember was the sign on the wall. It said” if you spit on the floor at home, go home and spit.”

This replaces a post originally published in 2009.

First Apostolic Pentecostal Church, Sycamore

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This image dates to circa 2011. The church is still standing but has been sided with metal and expanded from its original form.

Turner County Frozen Foods, 1947, Sycamore

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Grady Sconyers married Cortez Henderson in 1936 and they soon opened a general mercantile store, which they operated for about ten years. In 1947, he opened Turner County Frozen Foods, which served as the local “meat locker” and also sold frozen foods. They sold this business in 1950 and opened the Sycamore Gin, which served farmers for a 30-mile radius. Mr. Sconyers was one of the most successful entrepreneurs in Turner County. [This photograph dates to 2010. I’m unsure if the building is still standing].

Grady & Cortez Sconyers House, Sycamore

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This home was built by Sycamore Gin owner Grady Sconyers. Bill Adams recalls: [The house] came down through Cortez’s family. It was a large red brick home with a porch and steps facing East towards the church, and the South side (now the front) was rather plain. Grady had the changes made to model it after a house which he saw on the road between Palatka and St. Augustine. I don’t recall when it was remodeled…In the years after WWII, as that farm area got electricity, the farmers were able to prosper with tractors, etc. Many remodeled their homes, and often would put out on the porch furniture with marble tops (wash basins and such). If Grady saw one, he would stop and offer to buy it. He saved the marble and later had it converted and used in the house remodel.

First Apostolic Pentecostal Church, Sycamore

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This church appears to have been built around the turn of the last century. The front vestibule looks like a later addition. James Dean notes that it was formerly the Pleasant Hill Primitive Baptist Church.

Edwin Smith House, 1888, Sycamore

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I received sad news this morning (2 May 2016) that this house, a longtime favorite of mine and a Sycamore landmark, burned last night.

Bay Window (Detail), Edwin Smith House

According to owner Chris NeSmith, it was built in 1888 by Edwin and Marianna Smith.

Entryway, Edwin Smith House

They came to Sycamore from Somerton, Virginia,  when the railroad was connecting here.

sycamore ga edwin smith family home vintage photo courtesy chris nesmith
Vintage photograph Courtesy Chris NeSmith

The house was built from timbers harvested nearby to resemble their home in Virginia. The modifications to the front were made in the late 1950s or early 1960s. The photo above is the Smith family in front of the house as it originally appeared.  Below are the ruins of the house as of this morning. Both photos are courtesy of Chris NeSmith.

sycamore ga ruins of edwin smith house photograph copyright chris nesmith 2016
Ruins of Edwin Smith House after fire, Courtesy Chris NeSmith

For more about the fire, click here.