Gable Front Cottage, Glennville

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I’ve admired this simple house for years, always concerned that its days were numbered. I made this photograph a few years ago, and probably have a better shot somewhere in my archive, but I think this one will do for now. I was surprised I’d never published it here before, but I couldn’t find it on the website. It’s not an exaggeration to say that houses of this style (technically, form) provided shelter to the masses before modern techniques and materials were widely available. In a way, they were the “cookie-cutter” types of their day, but I’m guessing this house is at least 80 or 90 years old and can’t imagine today’s prefab versions lasting nearly as long.

Gabled-Ell Cottage, Tattnall County

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Front elevation

This board-and-batten gabled-ell cottage was a landmark in my travels to Red Earth Farm for many years. It’s now a heap of boards, finished off by Hurricane Helene.

Interior view, looking to the rear wing (ell).

It was likely a tenant home, perhaps connected to the nearby John Pearson House and related to the naval stores industry.

Rear wing (ell), with porch

It was a humble house but must have been loved in its time. I know I will miss seeing it.

Perspective view, showing location of chimney (removed)

Dr. Collins House, Circa 1900, Collins

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This unusual vernacular house in Collins is a bit difficult to classify architecturally. A marker identifies it as the Dr. Collins House, built circa 1900. I’m not sure if it was just a home or also the doctor’s office.

Folk Victorian House, Tattnall County

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This substantial farmhouse is set among pecan trees and looks as it probably did fifty years ago. I believe it’s in the southern part of the county. I made this photograph in 2018 but as far as I know it is still standing.

Folk Victorian Cottage, Tattnall County

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This is a perfect example of the Folk Victorian style. It is out in the country and beautifully maintained.

Double Shotgun House, Tattnall County

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The more aware I’ve become of the rarity of double-shotgun houses, the more intrigued I am by the form. This cottage in Tattnall County is clearly a double-shotgun, but it is also pyramidal. It’s a great illustration of the overlap in vernacular forms. These structures were almost always associated with tenant farming but many were modified for later use as one-family residences or cabins. This example is a favorite and truly one of the nicest I’ve found.

Note: This updates and replaces a post originally published on 26 October 2014.

Shiloh Methodist Church, 1899, Tattnall County

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William Eason organized Shiloh Methodist Church circa 1810, making it the second oldest congregation in Tattnall County after Mt. Carmel (1808). Tattnall County was established in 1801, from Montgomery County, which begs the question as to why no congregation formed before 1808. Perhaps earlier churches with Montgomery County associations already existed. The original Shiloh Church was a log frame structure located at the site of the Old Shiloh Cemetery, about a mile away from the present church. A newer frame structure was built at this site in 1858 and was replaced by this building in 1899. The windows are replacements but otherwise, it is largely true to its original appearance. Though Shiloh is no longer active, it is still used for special events.

Reidsville High School, Circa 1926

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Reidsville High School was built circa 1926 to replace an earlier facility (pictured below), which was lost to fire in 1925.

Reidsville High School, from Educational Survey of Tattnall County, Georgia, M. L. Duggan, Atlanta. 1918. Public domain.

The earlier school was a 6-teacher school and was considered the best such facility in Tattnall County. The educational survey noted that it was valued at $16,000, was surrounded by five acres and school gardens, and featured indoor “sanitary toilets”. In addition to classrooms, there was an auditorium, a domestic science room, and a music room. Though the Reidsville school was lost to fire, the Glennville High School, of the same era, still survives.

Reidsville High School was quite typical of schools built from the late 1910s until World War II. The original brick siding was covered with stucco during a restoration. [Stuccoing was seen as an affordable way to “modernize” buildings at one time, but is actually an unfortunate choice. The stucco is non-historic and greatly detracts from the intended architectural presence.] The facility remains in use, though not as a high school.

Wright Farm Tobacco Barn, Long County

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I made this photo in 2013 and thought the barn might be gone, but Eddie Roberson and wrote to say that it is still standing. And Beverly R. Armstrong noted, “It’s my Grandma Mrs Emma Lee Wright’s homestead property.” Also, I identified it as being in Tattnall County but instead it is northern Long County.

Collins United Methodist Church, Circa 1902, Tattnall County

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Recent divisions within the United Methodist Church have made it difficult to locate the histories for many congregations, including the Collins church, but Judy and Jimmy Duke shared the following history: “From History of the South Georgia Conference, 1866-1984, p.303:: Collins Methodist Church, Organized by 8 people in 1902 in Baptist Church which was used until new church built. Rev. Thomas Williams of the Quince (Cobbtown) Circuit preached. First Building frame, gift from ‘Uncle Luda” Walling, Collins lumber man. Extensive repairs, 1950. 1956-7, 2 story educational building constructed. Sanctuary remodeled, 1964-65.”