Many empty buildings in downtown Dawson are being slowly renovated. There has been a serious effort by the Downtown Development Authority to bring the area back to life. Commercial blocks typical of the early 20th century make up the core of Dawson. It’s always a challenge to attract people to small towns, and an even bigger challenge to attract businesses, but Dawson is off to a good start.
Dawson Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
According to the National Register of Historic Places, the period from 1900-1920 was “the absolute height of prosperity in Dawson” and many of the commercial buildings that still define the town were built during this time. This three-story brick storefront is most associated with the Dawson Furniture Company, but may have had an earlier use. It’s located on East Lee Street across from the Terrell County Courthouse.
Dawson Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
The introduction of the automobile was a phenomenon of the early 1900s that transformed Georgia, from its small rural towns to its biggest cities. This trend came early to Dawson with the construction of the Dawson Motor Company on Main Street in 1914. I generally associate the Art Deco/Streamline Moderne style with automobile dealerships, so the Colonial Revival appearance of the Dawson Motor Company is unusual. The building has been restored and has most recently been home to a ceramics studio.
Dawson Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Oakville, like many places I photograph, has been forgotten by nearly everyone. It was likely named for a plantation of farm, since there was never a post office or railroad station named Oakville in Terrell or Randolph County. The only thing I could find, besides plenty of kudzu, was this abandoned farmhouse.
Historically, cotton and corn were the principal crops of Terrell County, with peanuts coming later. Oxen and mules were widely used in farming until they were replaced by machinery after World War II. This gin and warehouse complex, just south of Parrott, is one of at least three that served the needs of the community over the years. These old tin buildings might not be much to look at, so to speak, but are nonetheless important to local history. Farming has always been the anchor of the local economy and workforce and places like this represent the business end of farming.
Parrott Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Numerous national news sources are reporting that at least seven people have died following the collapse of the metal gangway structure at the Sapelo Island ferry dock on the island side. Eight people were taken to local hospitals on the mainland, and six were said to have serious injuries. Larger than normal crowds were gathered for the annual celebration of the island’s Gullah-Geechee heritage.
Per the Associated Press, “There were at least 20 people on the gangway when it collapsed, he said. The gangway connected an outer dock where people board the ferry to another dock onshore.”
As someone who has spent time on Sapelo over the years I have a great admiration for the place and the resiliency of the people. I am devastated for those lost and send my thoughts and prayers to their loved ones. I will update this story as information becomes available.
This granite and bronze monument is located just south of Parrott, but you’d be hard-pressed to find it unless you were really looking. The bronze plaque is pockmarked with bullet holes and access is via a very small culvert off a busy highway. I had to pull a few weeds away just to get the photographs.
It was erected by the Stone Castle Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1936, which was 99 years after the date of 1827 given for the existence of the village.
Information on Chenube is scarce, but it is linked permanently with the history of Parrott. According to a genealogy page focused on the Parrott family, “In 1834 James purchased 815 acres of land in what was then Randolph County and was called by the Indian village name Chenube...” An 1887 issue of the Dawson News referred to the community as Chenubia.
The indigenous people of the area were under constant threat by the growing numbers of White settlers taking over their lands. On 27 July 1836, the Battle of Echowaynochaway Creek, the last known engagement between the Creek people and the Randolph County settlers took place nearby. Three White men and eighteen Creek died in the engagement.
Findagrave identifies the graveyard located at this church as the “Salem Methodist Church Cemetery”, indicating that to be the historical name of the congregation. The current sign identifies it as New Salem Church, so a change in affiliation may have taken place in recent years.
The well-maintained country church, near Muslim Farm Road on the outskirts of Bronwood, has its origins with freedmen. The earliest identified burial dates to 1885. There are doubtless many unmarked graves.
The steps of the outdoor baptismal are branded with the numbers “666”. I’m guessing it’s symbolic for leaving evil and misdeeds behind as you emerge from the ritual.
Located in the countryside near Bronwood, Enterprise Methodist Church was an historic congregation established in 1873. According to a granite marker on the front of the building, the church was rebuilt in 1948. It’s an unusual form and sadly, has been abandoned and is succumbing to the elements. There are holes in the back roof and the sanctuary sustained serious damage at some point An adjacent cemetery is maintained, so someone still cares about this place.
Mr. G’s has been abandoned for a long time. The first time I was in Bronwood, in 2009, it looked about the same as it does today. Much has been written about the importance of convenience stores as restaurant choices for people in small towns. I’m sure Mr. G’s served that purpose as long as it could.
