In his book, Architecture of Middle Georgia: The Oconee Area, John Linley wrote: (Allentown’s) outstanding building is the Allentown Methodist Church. Though built in 1956, it is Colonial in style, but was designed with a degree of skill and sensitivity that is rare in any period. W. Elliot Dunwoody, Jr., was the architect.
Erected on 12 October 1934 by the Georgia Society and John Ball Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, this marker is located on the lawn of the beautiful Allentown Methodist Church. It glorifies early white settlers who helped run Native Americans off land that was rightfully theirs, so I’m glad that such a commemoration would likely not be considered today. Nonetheless, its integral to the history of the area. It reads: Intersection of Carolina, West Florida, and Savannah Lower Creek Trails. Traditional Indian Village Site and Burial Grounds. Early White Settlement and Haven for Refugee Families in 1812 Indian Alarms. Though I can’t find a reference to the “Indian Alarms” in a quick scan of the literature, I’m sure the term “haven for refugee families” suggests that Allentown was an early outpost in the westward expansion of Georgia.
As the modern sign on this nicely restored structure notes: John T. Land sold anything that might be needed in a small farming community like Allentown: Dry Goods. Groceries. Plantation Supplies. Elizabeth Copeman writes: John T. Land lived from 1846-1918. He built the store pictured above in the early 1880s. The attic of the store served as the living quarters for Mr. Land until he built his residence in Allentown around 1888. The building was acquired on September 20, 1897 by the merchant firm of Wade and Meadows. Peter Meadows acquired sole ownership of the property in 1901 and continued operating it as a mercantile store. Peter Meadows gave the property as a security deed to Adams Brothers Company, a grocery supplier from Macon. In 1916, the Adams Brothers Company sold the property to Sarah Payne, wife of Joseph Dickens. In 1946, the property was included in a land parcel sold by the Dickens heirs to James Ellijah Davis and A.T. Land, Sr. In 1950, the building was being used as a mercantile store by Samuel Meredith King and his nephew John Oscar Adams. King and Adams operated a rolling store from this site. This building and the Allen house are the oldest remaining structures in Allentown.
Allentown has the unusual distinction of being located in four counties: Wilkinson, Laurens, Bleckley, and Twiggs.
Toomsboro was settled around 1851 (the year it first had a post office, known then as Toomsborough). It was named for Robert Toombs, a prominent politician of the antebellum and war eras, but I have no idea why Toombs is misspelled in the town name. A mile away was Emmitt, which had a post office from 1842 – 1857, but lost most of its rail business to Toomsboro. While the history may be a bit unclear, one thing for certain is that Toomsboro today is a beautiful village, a step back in time. Nestled among gently rolling hills carved by the nearby Oconee River, the town is as well-preserved of any of its era in Georgia. Kaolin is king in this area, so if you’re photographing in Toomsboro, watch out for the trucks, which come through quite regularly.
See Athens photographer Dagmar Nelson’s wonderful black-and-white shots of the town here.
In the early 1900s, this place would have been quite busy during the cotton harvest and was as important as the local bank in the economic life of this community. As the sign notes, it was owned by B. H. Jackson.
This antebellum structure began life as a whiskey store, but for most of its history was known as the Murray Hall General Store. It’s one of the oldest standing wooden general stores in Georgia, and though it’s been closed for years, it is well-maintained.
Originally a dry goods store, and bank, this structure has been known for years as the Swampland Opera House. In 1975, the late Joe Boone, Jr., started the business as a weekend venue for musicians and each Saturday until 2000, a country, gospel & bluegrass music hoedown was held here.
Please read all the wonderful comments from people who have great memories of this place.