Ramah Primitive Baptist Church, 1861, Gordon

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Ramah Primitive Baptist Church is the most historic congregation in Wilkinson County ad remains one of its most active. According to local history, Union soldiers encamped in the churchyard in November 1864, during Sherman’s March to the Sea.

A Georgia Historical Commission marker places in 1955 reads: “Ramah Primitive Baptist Church on South Fork of Commissioner’s Creek was constituted June 10, 1809 by the Brethren Gaylord and McGinty with ten members. Educational, social, and cultural affairs of the community centered around the church for years before the town of Gordon was established. The Ramah Guards, Volunteer Infantry, C.S.A. left for Virginia from the church after impressive ceremonies and a flag presentation. Many descendants of people prominent in Ramah District still reside nearby. The Sanders Association sponsored this marker as a memorial to the Christian spirit of Ramah’s founders.”

One notable modern burial is that of Jim Williams, of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil fame, who is buried beside his mother.

Buena Vista, 1893, Milledgeville

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This Queen Anne townhouse was built by J. B. Pound in 1893. Identifying J. B. Pound is more difficult than dating the house. There’s a J. P. Pound buried in Memory Hill with no birth or death dates given on the headstone, but I think J. B. Pound was more likely Jerome Balaam Pound (1863-1952). Pound was a native of Dooly County who went on to become a prominent newspaper publisher and hotelier. He owned the DeSoto Hotel in Savannah, as well as two hotels on Tybee Island, the Hotel Seminole in Jacksonville, and the Hotel Patten in Chattanooga. He began his work in newspapers as a printer in Macon in 1887, and by 1888 had launched a newspaper in Chattanooga. Considering his Georgia connections, having a home in Milledgeville in 1893 doesn’t seem far-fetched, though certainly bears further research. Whatever the case, his association with the property was short-lived. He spent most of his life in Knoxville and Miami Beach.

Edgar Jefferson Flemister (1858-1930) and Ida Callaway Flemister (1858-1936) purchased the home circa 1902 and it remained in the family until 1993. I believe the name “Buena Vista” was assigned the house to honor the wife of owner Malcolm McKay Flemister (1890-1960), Buena Vista Barrett Flemister (1893-1992).

Milledgeville Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Harrisburg School, 1956, Baldwin County

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This building was the last school to serve the historically Black community of Harrisburg, south of Milledgeville. I’m unsure if it was just a part of the school or if it was the whole entity.

Prior to construction of this facility, there was at least one earlier school in Harrisburg, which operated from 1871-1952. The present structure was almost certainly an Equalization School, and as a result, was probably only open for a couple of decades at most.

In 2021, the building was initially slated to be revived as a library, but now serves a broader purpose as the Collins P. Lee Harrisburg Community Center. Collins P. Lee (1937-2008) was the first African-American city councilman in Milledgeville and later served as a county commissioner. He had a 30-year career as an educator, working as a teacher and an assistant principal.

Update: The Georgia High School Basketball Project, which researches these forgotten schools more than any other entity I know of, notes that Harrisburg was open, in one form or another, from 1956-1988. They also found that Harrisburg had around 15 teachers for all of its existence. Historic Aerials confirmed this was only the front section and that it looks like a cafetorium on the side. A long wing stood behind it.

Do-Drop-In, 1940s, Harrisburg

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Located in the historic Harrisburg community south of Milledgeville, this was originally the home of the Do-Drop-In, a legendary local juke joint established by Sam and Iola Finney in the late 1940s. “The Soul of Georgia” notes that many famous acts graced the club’s stage, including Otis Redding, James Brown, Piano Red, Little Richard, and Red Foxx. James, and later Alma Finney, were subsequent owners. This survivor of the Chitlin’ Circuit is now home to Co-op de Ville, a non-profit bicycle transportation and repair service.

Diner’s Club, 1955, Milledgeville

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According to “The Soul of Georgia”, an fascinating digital exhibit curated by Evan Leavitt for Georgia College Special Collections, Lillie Adam Bell opened this location as a juke joint known as the Diner’s Club in 1955.Since her death in 1971, the club has been owned by Clifford Holsey. The original structure has been expanded by additions throughout the years, but retains its roots. The business is now known as Soulmaster’s BBQ Lounge, but locals still refer to it as “The Diner”.

Blue Note, 1960s, Milledgeville

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This cinderblock building, originally home to a neighborhood store operated by Bill Renfroe in the 1940s, became a jazz club known as the Blue Note, in the 1960s. According to Evan Leavitt, it was operated by Barry Jarrett, and by the late 1960s, hosted local bands such as Gloria Walker and the Chevelles. It was still operating as a night spot into the late 1970s, operated by Jesse Barnett, and lastly became a beauty shop in the 1980s.

Railroad Overpass, Milledgeville

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This historic overpass on North Wilkinson Street was likely built for the Central of Georgia Railway in the 1920s or thereabouts. The Central of Georgia was later absorbed by Norfolk Southern, but since there were numerous lines running through Milledgeville at one time, I haven’t been able to confirm. This one was obviously built with local materials; the red clay so famous in Middle Georgia is shining through. The line which this overpass serviced is now abandoned.

Trinity CME Church, 1921, Milledgeville

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Trinity CME is one of Milledgeville’s most historic Black congregations. Some of the founding members attended the Methodist Episcopal Church with their enslavers, but newly freed, they soon formed their own congregation, in the mid-1860s. They built their first church at the corner of Liberty and Franklin Streets, beside Memory Hill Cemetery. A grand renovation took place in 1883 and the work was done by Charlie and Frank Steele and William Brooks; some sources even note that it had the largest steeple in Milledgeville. The Rev. Gideon Hill was prominent in the church during this period.

After the old church burned down, the present church, itself a Milledgeville landmark, was built in 1921 during the pastorate of George L. Word. It’s located at the corner of North Wilkinson Street and West Thomas Street.

Milledgeville Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Storefront, Stevens Pottery

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I am identifying this building, near Stevens Pottery, as a storefront, but that said, it could have been a restaurant, or even a night spot. The large window near the front door makes me think it had some sort of commercial purpose.

Stevens Pottery School, Baldwin County

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This building, adjacent to Scotts Chapel AME, was the Stevens Pottery School. I believe it’s now used as a social hall and Sunday School building.