Locals sometimes call this drive-thru branch of the Alma Exchange Bank the Jetsons Bank for its Space Age appearance. The architecture is actually a style, popular in the 1950s and 1960s, known as Googie. This bank had a twin in Sylvester that has since been demolished. Recently, there has been some concern that this facility could be demolished, but I can’t verify anything beyond rumor. It’s a real landmark that Alma should attempt to preserve. Photographers from all over the country have visited and photographed it.
Third Avenue is the main street of historic Glenwood. It’s essentially two streets, running along either side of the the railroad tracks. The commercial area is located on Northeast Third Avenue while Southeast Third Avenue is predominately residential. The two buildings at left in the photo above are both empty shells inside and will be lost if not stabilized. The exteriors are in relatively good shape, though. The structures seen below appear to be in better condition.
Valorie Phillips writes: Going from right to left in the bottom picture (my time as a child in the late 70’s through 80’s) the buildings were Rita Sue Chambers (McRae at the time) beauty shop, second was my daddy’s, Fred Clark, grocery store, Jimmy Sammon’s drug store, Mr. Tipton’s store, the restaurant was owned by different people at different times, the next building was a game room for a little while. The empty lot on the end was a department store until it burned down.Going from right to left in the bottom picture (my time as a child in the late 70’s through 80’s) the buildings were Rita Sue Chambers (McRae at the time) beauty shop, second was my daddy’s, Fred Clark, grocery store, Jimmy Sammon’s drug store, Mr. Tipton’s store, the restaurant was owned by different people at different times, the next building was a game room for a little while. The empty lot on the end was a department store until it burned down.
This structure is located next door to the Norwood Post Office. It once served as the bank in Norwood.
An interesting bit of trivia about Norwood and the post office can be found on a nearby 1955 Georgia Historical Commission marker titled “The Original RFD”: In 1868 at Norwood six men along a five mile rural route hired Jerry Parsons*, a Negro who could not read, to deliver and collect mail at their homes each day except Sundays and holidays for his food and clothing. The postmaster at Norwood each morning arranged the mail in correct order and “Uncle Jerry” began his ten mile walk covering, in all, 3,110 miles. Sen. Thomas Watson, then a boy clerking for Hon. T.E. Massengale, observed this perfect plan for Rural Free Delivery. In February 1893, Sen. Watson, then in Congress, sponsored the bill creating Rural Free Delivery, copying “Uncle Jerry’s” R.F.D. in Norwood.
*-Regarding Jerry Parsons, it is a shame that the stories of men like this have been lost. I would love to hear from anyone who knows more about him.
This is one of the most beautiful buildings in Buena Vista. I’m hoping some of these great old commercial buildings will someday be placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 2000, SunTrust Bank donated these two buildings to the group that would become the board of the McDuffie Museum. The First National Bank of Thomson (1899) and Thomson Drugs (1904), integral to the lives of McDuffie Countians for much of the 20th century, now serve as a model local history museum.
Thomson Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Located on Main Street, these nicely restored storefronts are a great example of local interest and investment in historic preservation. I believe the tallest building was a bank. The lion head ornament, the bank’s nicest decorative feature, is pictured below.
Thomson Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
I talked with a business owner here who remembered when Comer was a much busier place. He was also very concerned about a bypass that will soon carry traffic away from the dwindling downtown area.
He noted that with the coming of the bypass, few people besides locals would have any reason to come here and do business. I hope, however, that the well-preserved storefronts on North Avenue might serve as a catalyst to attract visitors. The two storefronts most recently known as Fields Auto Parts were built circa 1917.
Comer Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
