This general store was built by E. M. Davis, Sr., and D. V. Childs, Sr. Various members of the Childs family owned it over the years. Jack Childs leased it to Laymond Watson, whose name is discernible on the sign, during the 1970s. The Wayside post office was located here from the 1970s until the early 1980s.

Wayside may have seen better days, but a historical marker placed in 1956 notes its early importance: “The Farmer’s Academy (later Planter’s Academy) was incorporated December 19, 1822 by Act of Legislature signed by Governor John Clark. Trustees included Bailey Bell, Adam Carson, Kinchen P. Thweatt, James Lockett, Cyrus Cotton, Samuel Barron and William Cowan. Early teachers were Wilson Whatley, William Whatley, Joe Carson, J. R. Jenkins, J. A. Bowers, James F. Barron. Family names on the school rolls were Barron, Hunt, Brown, Jones, Green, Hascall, Henseley, Whatley and Walker. The academy building was burned by Sherman’s forces in November 1864 and was never rebuilt.”