Courthouse Annex, 1939, Richmond Hill

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Historic wood-frame structure known as 'the Courthouse' with white exterior, prominent columns, and parking area in Richmond Hill, Georgia.

This structure has never been an annex as best I can tell, but it was known as “the Courthouse” for generations, likely due to the fact it was a polling place. Rural precincts are still known as “court houses” in many Georgia communities. Richmond Hill is a rapidly growing suburb of Savannah today, but its population didn’t surpass 1000 until the 1970s.

A vintage car parked in front of a historic white wood-frame building with a triangular roof and columns, known as 'the Courthouse' in Richmond Hill, Georgia.
1931 Ford Model A Tudor, one of several pristine automobiles parked in front of buildings associated with Henry Ford, along Ford Avenue in downtown Richmond Hill

A historic marker placed by the Coastal Bryan Heritage Trail in 2012 reads: “This wood-frame structure, situated on a site known since the creation of Bryan County in 1793 as “the Crossroads”, was built in 1939 with funding provided by Henry Ford. The building came to be familiarly called “the Courthouse” by local citizens. For many years it was used for civic meetings and as the official Richmond Hill voting site. The local Masonic Lodge and Order of the Eastern Star organizations held their meetings in this facility. Later, city and county governmental offices were housed here.”

Zion Baptist Church Prayer House, Richmond Hill

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Exterior view of Zion Baptist Church, a small white cinderblock building surrounded by trees and grass, featuring potted plants and a cross in front.

Zion Baptist Church was established in 1899 and was an important part of the African-American community of lower Bryan County for half of the 20th century. It originated as a wood frame prayer house. Prayer houses, [also known as praise houses], which first appeared on plantations, were characteristic landmarks of the Gullah-Geechee communities that dominated the Georgia Coast before the Great Migration. Few have survived.

Exterior view of a small white church building with a corrugated metal roof, surrounded by greenery and flowering plants.

According to Eugene Harris, who attended this church in his youth, the present structure was built circa 1950. Church members who worked in the cement business chose to rebuild with cinderblock for the longevity the material would provide. By this time, however, the congregation was dwindling. This quaint little building was abandoned in the early 1960s. In 2019, Mr. Harris, who returned to Richmond Hill after service in the Air Force, decided to restore the prayer house, which was overgrown with weeds and brush and in deteriorating condition. He took on the project as a one-man job but soon got assistance from the community, who raised nearly $5000 and contributed countless hours and materials to the effort. It is a living monument to the culture it represents, ultimately a place for prayer and quite reflection. And it’s proof that one man’s vision can save a piece of overlooked history for everyone to appreciate.

Single-Pen Cottage, Gardi

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This is one of several important vernacular houses in Gardi. This example appears to have originated as a single-pen form, with an added small wing. The wing has the unusual convenience of its own door opening to the porch.

Smith Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Gardi

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I’ve noticed this neat handmade sign many times driving between Jesup and Brunswick over the years, but until recently had never seen the associated church. Thanks to Pastor Evelyn Jackson, the first woman to lead the congregation, for making me aware of this interesting place and for sharing its history.

Pastor Jackson writes: “The Smith Grove Baptist Church was…organized in…1923 and named after its founder, the Rev. Squire Q. Smith and his wife Hattie Smith. He served as Pastor from 1923-1928. He passed away in 1928. The church was originally a wood structure.“

“The [present] church building was constructed by two former Pastors who are now deceased. I became the first female pastor in May of 2003. Renovations have been done in the sanctuary and kitchen area since I became the Pastor. The church membership is small and the members are the descendants of Rev. Squire Q. Smith.”

“Additionally, there is a history of well-known singers who originated with this family. There was first The West Sisters. They were the granddaughters of Rev. Smith. Then The West Singers, which were a combination of the original sisters and nieces. They no longer sing together.”

“The Mighty Fives originated with the sons of the West Sisters. They started as youth singing all over the area. They are now in their fifties and still singing occasionally.”

The church has services on Second Sundays at 11AM.

Nancy Fore Ceramics, Gardi

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This little building was home to a ceramics studio known as the Nancy Fore Ceramics Cottage. Nancy Fore (1911-1994) was the wife of beekeeper Troy Fore, Sr. (1907-1976) who owned the Altamaha Apiaries and the iconic “Fancy Honey” building around the corner.

Fore House, Gardi

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This was the home of the Fore family who owned the beloved “Fancy Honey” building next door.

The core of this house is an outstanding example of what I believe to be a late-19th-century hall-and-parlor cottage. It has been expanded and modified as have other examples of vernacular houses in Gardi, but the original house is a representative example. It also includes a preacher room that appears to have been turned into a sleeping porch at some point.

Shotgun Store, Gardi

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This was a new discovery for me yesterday. It’s obviously a general store, judging by the form, and has long been closed. The middle of the building is sagging so badly that my initial though was that it won’t be around much longer, but it has likely looked like this for a long time. They don’t build them like this anymore.

Central Hallway Cottage, Gardi

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This expanded central hallway cottage features a vernacular Craftsman portico and shed garages on both sides.

Central Hallway Cottage, Long County

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I don’t recall the location of this house, but I found it in my Long County folders. I believe it was built in the late 1800s and is a great example of a central hallway cottage, expanded for a growing family.

Abandoned Trailer, Long County

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This trailer, along with a couple more, was located on an old farm I was invited to photograph about 15 years ago. I don’t think it was an Airstream, but it looked like one. It may have served as temporary housing.