Boston Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Pyramidal Cottage, 1902, Boston
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St. James C. M. E. Church, 1900s, Boston
There’s little information to be found on the history of St. James C. M. E. Church, but the Boston town website notes that the congregation was established in 1896. I believe the present structure was built in the early 1900s.
A 1909 broadside in the Hargrett Library in Athens advertises a gospel meeting for the week of October 12-17, and illustrates the progressive nature of the congregation. Rev. G. A. Thomas was pastor at the time. The broadside reads: “Behold a royal feast of mind and soul. This promises to be one of the best occasions of its kind. Together with the religious services there will be a literary feature attached. It is ours to seek the general welfare and uplift of our people irrespective of denominations. In all things let God have the uppermost place in our hearts.” Tuesday night, Professor L. S. Wingfield gave the introductory sermon, and Mrs. Lilla Robinson gave a speech entitled “Our Young Men”. Wednesday night’s sermon by Rev. A. R. Starling addressed “The Safety of the Young Men” and Mrs. L. S. Wingfield spoke of “Our Young Ladies”. Rev. Brookins of the A. M. E. Church gave the Thursday night sermon, while Mrs. Dr. Taylor talked about “The Moral and Intellectual Progress of the Negro”. On Friday, Professor Wingfield spoke of “The Demand for an Education, Ministry and the Idea of the Young Men becoming Christians”. Dr. Taylor addressed “Hygiene and the Laws of Health”. After music there was further discussion, this time by several speakers, suggesting that the Middle Class were more ardent supporters of the Church than the more wealthy. Saturday night attendees heard Mrs. M. M. Davis discuss “The Business Turn of the Negro”. Sunday was “High Day”, with preaching all day. Music was provided by: Adie Richardson, Maggie and Nellie Massey, Bessie Walton, Rosa L. Slater, Lessie L. Robinson, Bessie Slater, and Bertha Slater, Mrs. Wright Brooks, Mrs. James Zanders, Adeline Richards, Carrie Thomas, Mary Jane Richardson, and others. They were directed by Mrs. L. S. Wingfield.
Boston Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Historic Storefronts, Boston
Boston takes pride in its small downtown and most of the storefronts are in great condition and home to modern businesses.
Boston Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Warehouse Office, Boston
I’m not sure what the original use of this corner entrance structure was, but I remember there being a sign near the back section for Boston Feed & Seed at one time. I think it was probably an office for the warehouses located along the street behind it. Like many of the buildings in downtown Boston, it likely dates to the early 20th century.
Boston Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Garage + Ford Dealership, Circa 1920s, Boston
When this commercial garage was built, Jefferson Street (also known as the Old Boston Road) was the first east-west paved highway in southwest Georgia. It later became US Highway 84. This was the era when automobiles were first becoming widespread and entrepreneurs were first establishing businesses to serve this new mode of transportation. It has also been suggested that this building later served as a Ford dealership.
Boston Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Commercial Block, Boston
This historic Victorian storefront is one of the nicest still standing in downtown Boston. I imagine it housed several businesses in its early days and has been home to many more since. It was likely built around 1900-1910.
Boston Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Dillon Road Presbyterian Church, Circa 1900, Thomas County
This beautiful country church stands among some of Thomas County’s most idyllic farmland, surrounded by pecan trees. It’s northeast of Thomasville. I’ve only been able to locate an approximate date of construction (1900) for the church, and can locate nothing about the congregation. The earliest burial I could find in the small attached cemetery was in the early 1930s. Whatever the history, I’m glad to be able to share this landmark.
Queen Anne House, Circa 1886, Thomasville
This home may not be as grand or ornate as the Lapham-Patterson House, but it’s certainly an eclectic Queen Anne, one of the most unusual I’ve encountered. And it’s definitely worth a drive down Clay Street to see it. The central turret, or tower, is its most prominent feature, while the unusual floor plan is also notable. I hope to update with a name at some point.
Dawson Street Residential Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
The Old Cemetery, Circa 1842, Thomasville
Thomasville’s Old Cemetery dates to at least 1842, based on burial dates, and is a microcosm of 19th century funerary art, ranging from exceptional vernacular memorials to grand marble obelisks and monuments. It is said to be the oldest cemetery in Thomas County, incorrectly, but it may be the oldest in Thomasville proper. The deed conveying the cemetery to the city of Thomasville is dated 1858. Nearly 40 Confederate veterans, some in unmarked graves, are buried here, as well.
Isaac Mitchell was a prominent planter and large slaveholder in the area. In 1838, he sold a thousand-acre plantation with two miles of shoreline on Lake Iamonia, near Tallahassee. He died during the Civil War, and his son, who served in Co. F, 29th Georgia Regiment, died a few years later. Their monument, featuring ruined columns topped with wreaths, is one of the finest in the cemetery.
This beautiful Victorian monument is a bit of a mystery. I couldn’t find a name on it, but there’s an adjacent government-issued marker for Sgt. James A. McLendon, who served in Co. F., 50th Georgia Infantry.
The gate decoration here was a common design. There’s a very similar example at the Isaac Joseph House in Columbus. The name on that gate appears to be the name of the maker, so I wonder if this is not the maker’s name, as well. I’ve only been able to discern that it’s either Branner or Brannem, neither of which I find in the burial list for the Old Cemetery. Another mystery, at least for now.
This is one of two or three seashell graves in the Old Cemetery, this one being in the best state of preservation. In fact, it’s one of the nicest I’ve seen. There is a government-issued memorial at the foot of the grave that notes Captain Henderson served with Co. F, 29th Georgia Infantry.
This table grave is an interesting mix of vernacular and formal funerary art. The handmade bricks, likely made by enslaved laborers, are topped by a professionally made marble slab. The girls were both very young, and since they died around the same time, were likely afflicted with the same illness.
There are numerous brick crypts and slabs in the Old Cemetery.
Most of these are unidentified, and therefore I’m just showing them for the skill and craft involved in their production.
Some of the brick in the memorials appears to be handmade, and I would guess that some were made by enslaved people.
The gravestone below is made of slate, an uncommon material in Georgia. I’ve rarely found such memorials away from the coast.
The Seixas family were Thomas County pioneers. The Seixas House, circa 1835, is thought to be the oldest one-story house in Thomasville.
The gazebo is a prominent landmark in the Old Cemetery.
Southern Trim and Glass Company, Thomasville
I don’t know if this place is still open, but it’s the kind of business every town used to have, which did automotive upholstery and custom glass work. It appears to have originated as a mid-century (1940s-circa 1960) commercial garage and possibly was also a filling station. I just like the sign and the building.