Tag Archives: Architecture of Edward Vason Jones

Martin Elementary School, 1956, Bronwood

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Martin Elementary School is an historic Equalization School in Bronwood, serving grades 1-7. It was named for local Black educator Walter Martin. The L-shaped 13-room International Style structure opened in 1956 and served the community until 1970, when schools were fully integrated in Terrell County. Notably, it was designed by the prominent Georgia Classicist, Edward Vason Jones, and represented a departure from the formal architecture for which he was best known. This was quite a bold move, as most White architects in the state would not work on projects for African-Americans at the time.

In 1955, according to the nomination form for the National Register of Historic Places, “one year after the Brown v. Board decision ruled racially segregated public services and accommodations as unconstitutional, the Dawson News—a newspaper published in Terrell County—reported that local whites were prepared to shut down the entire school system rather than submit to integration and that the local school board had moved forward with its plans to build several new schools for African-American students. The newspaper printed a statement released by Robert Pinkston—county school superintendent—that declared if the local schools were integrated that the county would respond by refusing to collect any further tax revenues. If implemented such an action would have effectively shut down the county’s entire public school system…The Georgia General Assembly considered a similar proposal. Fortunately, only two of its members—one of whom was future governor Zell Miller—supported the plan, thereby sparing the state’s school system from closure.”

Part of the building was used as a nightclub in the late 1980s, but has otherwise been abandoned. There have been suggestions of an effort to restore it for use as a community center but I don’t think that is currently the case.

National Register of Historic Places

Stately Oaks, Circa 1839, Jonesboro

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This house, built by Whitmill Phillips Allen (6 November 1811-January 1868), was once the center of a plantation located four miles north of Jonesboro on the Atlanta Road. Allen sold the property to Robert McCord in 1858; McCord answered the call to Confederate service not long after settling onto the property. During the Battle of Jonesboro, Union soldiers set up camp on the grounds. The house survived the Civil War and when McCord returned home, he resumed operations of the farm, selling the property in 1879. My understanding is that the next owner was John Columbus Orr. It remained in the Orr family until Emily Orr Haynie transferred it to Historical Jonesboro, Inc. In 1972 the house was moved to its present location and is operated as a museum today. Georgia architect Edward Vason Jones was responsible for the restoration and noted of Stately Oaks: The house is a simple but well-proportioned country house done in the Greek Revival style. From the provincial quality of the details, it appears to have been built, as well as designed, by a capable but untrained carpenter-builder about the year 1840…The mass of the house is pleasing and the plan basically good, being typical of the majority of the rural Greek Revival houses throughout Georgia…

Some contend that the house was the inspiration for Tara in Gone with the Wind, though this can’t be proved since Margaret Mitchell didn’t confirm it [to my knowledge]. She would have known this house, however, and it is certainly of the type she would have drawn inspiration from when writing the book.

National Register of Historic Places

Judge David A. Vason House, 1855, Albany

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This is the most important architectural landmark in Albany, and one of the most significant surviving Greek Revival homes in Southwest Georgia. It was built by Judge David Alexander Vason (12 February 1818-13 July 1891). Judge Vason, who was married three times, was the grandfather of one of Georgia’s most prominent architects, Edward Vason Jones. Edward grew up in the house [the Georgia Archives holds a photograph of the infant Edward with his African-American nurse, Leila Perkins] and later restored it to a state befitting its elegance.

Greek Revival Cottage, Circa 1860, Albany

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I understand that this circa 1860 Greek Revival cottage was moved to this location and remodeled by the prominent Albany architect Edward Vason Jones.

Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, 1960, Dawson

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This congregation was organized in 1957 and services were held in the Dawson Woman’s Clubhouse until the church was completed in 1960. It was designed by Edward Vason Jones, a prominent architect of his day.