A local gentleman and two others have identified this as the old calaboose. Dale Reddick confirms: It is known as the “Caliboose,” per both Larry Waters and Rabun Alex Lee – who know Sylvania and Screven County better than most.
As discussed on the website before, calabooses were essentially holding cells/drunk tanks. The structure is in poor condition and the roof has collapsed on one side.
This was one of the most popular restaurants in Sylvania in its day, with locals and with tourists passing through on U. S. 301. It was a much busier road in those days and the stretch from Sylvania to the South Carolina state line still harbors many of these forlorn structures. The interstates ended the glory days of roadside travel and it took a lot of the economy of towns like Sylvania along with it. After Treado’s closed, it was home to at least two more restaurants, Ray’s and Honey’s. Thanks to Dale Reddick and others on my social media platforms for identifying it and sharing their memories.
Alan McIlveen writes: I so much enjoyed your post about Treado’s restaurant. I grew up in Sylvania and had countless meals there. Truly nothing like it anywhere now.
Their cinnamon rolls were world famous. (Really mean it.) I’ve eaten a half dozen at one sitting with fresh milk many times. I have tried to find the recipe but no success. Always a mix of farmers, business men, families, and Yankees -no disrespect intended -sharing an exceptional meal. Always buffet and menu offered. Sylvania was a wonderful place to grow up in the 50’s. If you got in trouble your folks knew about it before you got home.
Thanks to Tricia Self for the identification. She wrote, in part, that the house was moved in the early 1900s from another site about 500 yards away. It was done with the chimneys still attached and rolled on log rollers guided by a man driving mules. Nothing was packed up, and the plan was to replace anything they needed to, but they say not a thing was broken! Stuart Bragg also relayed the same story, so it must be a well-known local legend.
These beautifully restored storefronts are part of Sylvania’s historic Town Square area. Georgia Wilderness Outfitters occupies the building on the left and is part of a vibrant downtown, a rarity these days.
Positioned across from the location of the old courthouse, this imposing structure can be seen from most anywhere in downtown Sylvania.
This is one of a pair of Civil War-era Napoleon cannons occupying a position of honor in Sylvania’s Old Courthouse Park. They were given to the city in 1913 and are in better shape than most I’ve seen.
The taller building on the left may have first been known as the Dixie Theatre but by 1952 was operating as the Sylvia Theatre.