The introduction of the automobile was a phenomenon of the early 1900s that transformed Georgia, from its small rural towns to its biggest cities. This trend came early to Dawson with the construction of the Dawson Motor Company on Main Street in 1914. I generally associate the Art Deco/Streamline Moderne style with automobile dealerships, so the Colonial Revival appearance of the Dawson Motor Company is unusual. The building has been restored and has most recently been home to a ceramics studio.
Dawson Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Oakville, like many places I photograph, has been forgotten by nearly everyone. It was likely named for a plantation of farm, since there was never a post office or railroad station named Oakville in Terrell or Randolph County. The only thing I could find, besides plenty of kudzu, was this abandoned farmhouse.
Historically, cotton and corn were the principal crops of Terrell County, with peanuts coming later. Oxen and mules were widely used in farming until they were replaced by machinery after World War II. This gin and warehouse complex, just south of Parrott, is one of at least three that served the needs of the community over the years. These old tin buildings might not be much to look at, so to speak, but are nonetheless important to local history. Farming has always been the anchor of the local economy and workforce and places like this represent the business end of farming.
Cotton gin
Parrott Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
This granite and bronze monument is located just south of Parrott, but you’d be hard-pressed to find it unless you were really looking. The bronze plaque is pockmarked with bullet holes and access is via a very small culvert off a busy highway. I had to pull a few weeds away just to get the photographs.
It was erected by the Stone Castle Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1936, which was 99 years after the date of 1827 given for the existence of the village.
Information on Chenube is scarce, but it is linked permanently with the history of Parrott. According to a genealogy page focused on the Parrott family, “In 1834 James purchased 815 acres of land in what was then Randolph County and was called by the Indian village name Chenube...” An 1887 issue of the Dawson News referred to the community as Chenubia.
The indigenous people of the area were under constant threat by the growing numbers of White settlers taking over their lands. On 27 July 1836, the Battle of Echowaynochaway Creek, the last known engagement between the Creek people and the Randolph County settlers took place nearby. Three White men and eighteen Creek died in the engagement.
Findagrave identifies the graveyard located at this church as the “Salem Methodist Church Cemetery”, indicating that to be the historical name of the congregation. The current sign identifies it as New Salem Church, so a change in affiliation may have taken place in recent years.
Unidentified/unreadable. Headstone appears to be the work of Eldren Bailey.
The well-maintained country church, near Muslim Farm Road on the outskirts of Bronwood, has its origins with freedmen. The earliest identified burial dates to 1885. There are doubtless many unmarked graves.
The steps of the outdoor baptismal are branded with the numbers “666”. I’m guessing it’s symbolic for leaving evil and misdeeds behind as you emerge from the ritual.
Located in the countryside near Bronwood, Enterprise Methodist Church was an historic congregation established in 1873. According to a granite marker on the front of the building, the church was rebuilt in 1948. It’s an unusual form and sadly, has been abandoned and is succumbing to the elements. There are holes in the back roof and the sanctuary sustained serious damage at some point An adjacent cemetery is maintained, so someone still cares about this place.
Mr. G’s has been abandoned for a long time. The first time I was in Bronwood, in 2009, it looked about the same as it does today. Much has been written about the importance of convenience stores as restaurant choices for people in small towns. I’m sure Mr. G’s served that purpose as long as it could.
Second Shiloh is of contemporary construction but the congregation has earlier origins. Per Findagrave, one of the earliest identified burials in Shiloh Cemetery in Bronwood [presumably connected to this church] is that of Steve Harris (1856-1914 or 1919), whose birthdate would indicate he was likely born enslaved. His parents were William and Ella Harris and he was a farmer.
There’s no information to be found about this church online. At least two obituaries of members of this church indicated burials at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church cemetery, so there could be a connection. It’s not something I can confirm. The building is a vernacular Gothic form most associated with Black congregations, but again, I have no information on the history. I would date it circa 1890-1920.
Jason writes: it was supposedly built in 1905, or at least that’s when the congregation first assembled. I’d imagine it would have been built within a year or two of that.
