Farewell to the Dairy Ranch: Jesup Landmark Demolished

5 Replies

The Dairy Ranch, a Jesup institution known locally as the “Eat Now” for its famous red-lettered sign, closed in 2017 and has stood abandoned since then. I got a message this afternoon that it was being torn down.

I passed by earlier and it was still there, but the sender of the message shared photos. (I’ll add an updated image later; I’m traveling at the moment).

Dink NeSmith wrote of the landmark in 2018, “…when Homer Johnson opened the Dairy Ranch in 1952, it was an immediate hit. Over the years, the establishment has had four owners…Several generations of teenagers grew up under the Dairy Ranch’s neon glow. The Dairy Queen was a phenomenon, too. Cruising around the DQ on Friday and Saturday nights was a must. But the “Eat Now” had a jukebox inside. You could listen to Elvis and chomp on a foot-long hot dog and a bag of those irresistible French fries.“

The photos above were made in 2018. The ones that follow were made this morning (10 September 2024).

While it’s not quite down yet, it will soon be a memory.

The sign is gone, too. I’m sure it’s being saved for posterity.

Gone But Not Forgotten: Ware County’s Ezekiel Church

Leave a reply

I’ve learned that the historic Ezekiel New Congregational Methodist Church, a landmark with locals and a favorite with photographers, has collapsed in recent months. I’ve not been able to find out when, but it’s been at least a couple of months. In October of 2023, per Google Maps, the steeple was leaning backward and it was probably a matter of time before it all fell. (I don’t know if it fell or was bulldozed). The church was established in the 1870s and active until the 1970s. It fell into disrepair after the congregation disbanded and has been in derelict condition for many years. A lightning strike a few years ago did further damage.

Winged-Gable Farmhouse, Terrell County

1 Reply

As my entire re-edit of the website progresses, I continue locating unpublished images. This one dates to 2009, and as best I can tell, was located somewhere in the Herod vicinity.

Precinct House, Graves

Leave a reply

I made the above photograph in 2010. It’s the interior of a simple frame structure which stood in front of the Dismuke building. The overgrowth around the building was such that an exterior photograph wasn’t possible. My guess is that it was a precinct house, or courthouse as they’re often referred to in this section of the state. The photo below was made in October 2024.

Post Office & Barber Shop, Bronwood

3 Replies

This building was one of the anchors of the commercial row of Bronwood that was demolished in 2016. Richard Stott wrote of the above building: “When I lived there, the far end of this building was the post office, and next to it was Floyd Herrington’s barber shop.” It was a substantial commercial block, perhaps originally a bank or office space.


This photograph was made in 2010.

Barn & Silo, Macon County

1 Reply

I made this photograph in the Garden Valley area in 2009.

Shed, Macon County

4 Replies

This curious structure has been a landmark to me when traveling from Marshallville toward Talbot County for many years. It’s in the Garden Valley community. I’d love to know its purpose. I made the photograph a few years ago but I believe it’s still standing.

Directional Signpost, Oglethorpe

1 Reply

Multi-directional signposts like this one are usually found in tourist locations, so I was surprised to see this one in a yard in Oglethorpe.

Sandwiched between the far-flung locations of Kennebunkport, Maine, and Key West, Florida, is the Piggly Wiggly, 3/10ths of a mile distant.

General Store, Oglethorpe

3 Replies

I made this photo a few years ago. I think it was near the old New York Store just outside Oglethorpe. I’m identifying it as a general store, thought it looks like it may have been something else more recently. Some of my Brown relatives in Macon County (maiden name in this case) once owned a store in the country, according my father and aunt, and I’ve been looking through a lot of photographs trying to find out if it’s still standing. I have no idea of the name, or even a precise location. Places like this were once landmarks in the areas they served, so no matter how simple they are I try to document them when I see them.

Shotgun Store, Oglethorpe

1 Reply

The first time I photographed this building, about 15 years ago, it was painted yellow and known as the Court House Deli. It’s located across the street from the Macon County Courthouse. It’s now known as the Bowlegged Grill and was still open the last time I was in the area. I believe it was a originally a store or office and is typical of the shotgun form buildings that were once common as commercial and office spaces.