This building sits about a block behind the old Patterson High School. It could have been anything from a vocational annex to an elementary school building. The whole area at the corner of Williams Street and Hyers Street is one large educational campus. I will update as soon as I know more and would be grateful for any information.
The old Patterson High School has been nicely restored and is great example of a community saving an important element of its past. It’s now known as Eagle Station and is home to city offices and public use spaces, as well. For a small town, this is a big win. My best guess is that it was built in the 1920s or 1930s. The Spanish Mission Revival influence in the architecture was commonly used in school architecture during that time.
This is the old Patterson High School gymnasium. It’s in better shape than most of the surviving wooden gymnasiums built before World War II. Basketball was usually the biggest sport in rural communities in the first half of the 20th century and this was the home of the Patterson High Eagles. I believe it was built in the 1930s [early 1940s at the latest].
I used to pass by this building often when I was driving between Surrency and New Lacy and always presumed it was a general store. I imagine it also sold gasoline. It’s in the “middle of nowhere” at the intersection of Georgia Highways 203 & 15.
Larry Dixon writes: This gas/grocery store, with a vehicle repair garage in the rear, was owned and operated by Bill & Willie Pierce. It was in operation in the 50s and 60s. They lived in a separate home, on the property just behind the store. The house has been refreshed, and has tenants still residing there. The property is still owned by the Pierce families daughter-in-law.
The Clermont town seal carries the motto Where The Beautiful Mountains Begin. That’s an apt description of this area in the high foothills of the Blue Ridge; to me it’s the gateway to Dahlonega and other favorite parts of Northeast Georgia. Originally known as Dip, a post office by that name opened here in 1892. That dubious moniker was changed to Clermont, which means “Clear Mountain”, in 1905. According to Ken Krakow’s Georgia Place Names it was suggested by the local high school principal, “Professor” Will Johnson.
I made this shot several years ago but Clermont hasn’t changed too much, I hope. It’s just outside the Atlanta exurbs and here’s hoping it stays that way. It’s a great little town to walk around with your camera and when I’ve been here, the people have been very friendly.
Georgia Highway 60, also known as the Morganton Highway, winds its way through some of the most beautiful countryside in the state, passing places like Wilscot and Suches, much of it in the Chattahoochee National Forest, before it connects with US 19 and runs into Dahlonega. There are some high spots along the highway, and some beautiful valleys like this one near Morganton. I think it’s one of the most scenic drives in the state.
Morganton was established circa 1853 and became the seat of the newly established Fannin County in 1854; the first courthouse was built here in 1855. When Blue Ridge was established at the terminus of the Marietta & North Georgia Railroad in 1887, it became increasingly impractical for lawyers and judges to travel to the courthouse in Morganton. The county seat was moved to Blue Ridge in 1895.
The cedar in front of this great little house is so big that I had to get a shot from the side.
I’m not sure how old this building is, but I love that it has J & J Jewelers & Rock Shop and Allen’s Taxidermy under one roof.
I believe this historic African-American church was originally wood-sided and that the bricks were added later. The shingle-sided Gothic steeple is a very distinct feature, especially for a small church. I’m not sure if this congregation is still using this building.
