Central Hallway Farmhouse, Telfair County
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Category Archives: –TELFAIR COUNTY GA–
Chevrolet Pickup, Telfair County
I took a different road and after heading down what turned out to be a dead end, I passed by this. I grew up around trucks like this and I like running across them, even when they look like this. This one looks to be from the early 1960s.
Mt. Dollaway A. M. E. Church, Telfair County
Abandoned Service Station, Lumber City
Tobacco Barn, Telfair County
This was one of a row of several identical tobacco barns. All are now gone.
Future Uncertain for Helena’s Hotel Willard
I recently updated my original post about the Hotel Willard, noting that it appeared work was being done on the property. When I shared this on social media, it was suggested that the property was being prepared for demolition.
It amazes me that communities can’t see the value in such properties, but owners are often reluctant to pour money into them and as a result they deteriorate over time to the point that repair is not feasible. We say we love our heritage but we have a really bad track record of saving it.
UPDATE: On 29 December 2017, we got the best possible news about the future of the hotel. Michelle Lowery writes that the owners have now decided to renovate it.
Helena, Georgia
Helena was formally established in 1890 and according to local history, the source of the name has been lost. Undoubtedly, it was named for a wife, daughter, sister or mother of a prominent local citizen, likely with ties to the railroad. These historic storefronts are the “downtown” area, located along busy US Highway 341.
Helena has always been a bedroom community of McRae, about a mile east of here, but in 2015, the two cities merged to consolidate services that were becoming too expensive for Helena to manage. Officially, it’s now known as Helena-McRae.
Southern Railway Depot, McRae
This may have been built in the 1890s but I can’t find an exact date. It’s been used for storage in recent years, I believe, but appears to be in deteriorating condition. It would be a great restoration project for McRae.
Telfair County Courthouse, 1934, McRae
McRae was designated the Telfair County seat in 1871 (replacing Jacksonville) and a courthouse was constructed in 1873. A more modern structure was completed in 1904 and served until it burned in the early 1930s.
The present structure was built in 1934, incorporating some of the brick walls from the 1904 structure. It was designed by the Macon firm of Dennis & Dennis.
National Register of Historic Places
Telfair County Jail, 1902, McRae
Few historic jails of this age are still in use but Telfair County’s is an exception. It’s been renovated in recent years and additions have been made. This was a common style for jails in the early 20th century.
National Register of Historic Places