Founded in 1993 by Cornelia Walker Bailey and other residents and descendants of Sapelo Island natives , the Sapelo Island Cultural & Revitalization Society (SICARS) has been at the forefront of a movement to bring attention to the last intact Gullah-Geechee settlement on the Georgia coast.
Pioneer Cabin in Winter, Tulip Road, Ben Hill County, 2002 – © Brian Brown
In preparation for an upcoming documentary, I’ve been reviewing my archive of over 2,000 photographs made on various film cameras before I made the switch to digital in 2007. I’m sharing some of them here and hope they are of interest. Amazingly, most of these structures are gone now and remind me why I do what I do. The image above, of a wintry landscape adorned with a crude pioneer cabin with a fieldstone chimney, was among my first favorites. I had 8x10s printed and looked at them with a sense of awe at the loss that was accelerating around me. As with many of the places I shoot, I’ve wished many times that I’d returned to this quaint little cabin for more photographs. I’m not quite sure when it was demolished but it was gone before 2010. Such stories of loss motivate me to photograph nearly everything I can that I believe to be of cultural or historical value and I hope my work inspires others to pick up their cameras and do the same in their neck of the woods.
Hunter’s Bar-B-Que, Irwin County, 2002 – © Brian Brown
Hunter’s was a local favorite and welcome stop for travelers along Highway 32 for years. They even had parking for semi-trucks. Their goat sandwich, with chips & Coca-Cola was my favorite. Though Hunter’s closed not too long after this photo was made, it’s legendary barbeque sauce has been resurrected by the Hutto family, who now operate the location as Hutto’s Barbeque. It’s just as good!
Craftsman Farmhouse, Irwin County, 2001 – © Brian Brown
This house was demolished by 2010.
Pigs in Winter, Starling Road, Ben Hill County, 2001 – © Brian Brown
Loony Layton’s Store, Waterloo, Irwin County, 2002 – © Brian Brown
I can’t count how many times I passed this store traveling between Fitzgerald and Tifton over the years, though I honestly don’t remember it ever being open. It was razed in early 2012. (I’m not sure of the spelling of the owner’s name, but thanks to Dale Bledsoe for the information.)
Thompson Road Farmhouse, Irwin County, 2002 – © Brian Brown
This house was also an early favorite of mine. It was razed in 2007.
Griffin House, Irwin County, 2003 – © Brian Brown
This Folk Victorian, long a landmark in the area, was demolished before 2007. Thanks to a recent (2016) message from Daphne Griffin, I now know a bit more about the place: My father grew up in that house beginning around 1941. His name is Charlie Jesse Griffin, known as C.J. He grew up there with his mother, Osteen Roberts Griffin, his grandfather, Charlie Roberts, and his three brothers, Denzil, Herman, and Therman Griffin. My grandmother Osteen lived there until around 1960. The house was owned by Otto Griner at the time they lived there.
Player Cemetery Road Tobacco Barn, Ben Hill County, 2002 – © Brian Brown
This barn was razed in 2009.
Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Ben Hill County, 2003 – © Brian Brown
Union Baptist Church, Ben Hill County, 2002 – © Brian Brown
The two churches pictured above are among Ben Hill County’s most historic African-American congregations.
Snow Shower, Dogwood Lane, Fitzgerald, 1989 – © Brian Brown
Wooden Shingle Farmhouse, Ben Hill County, 2001 – © Brian Brown
Burning Beaver Dam, Irwin County, 2002 – © Brian Brown
Originally a dry goods store, and bank, this structure has been known for years as the Swampland Opera House. In 1975, the late Joe Boone, Jr., started the business as a weekend venue for musicians and each Saturday until 2000, a country, gospel & bluegrass music hoedown was held here.
Please read all the wonderful comments from people who have great memories of this place.
This iconic dogtrot is located just north of Dublin on US 441 and has been in the same family for generations. They’ve done a wonderful job maintaining it and it’s one of the best examples of its kind in the state.
These are generally put up to attract Purple Martins (Progne subis), which are thought to be a mosquito deterrent. Many companies now sell plastic martin gourds, but I prefer the natural versions.
To commemorate Kingsland’s centennial Folkston artist Tim Bass, aka Signsmith, painted this beautiful mural in 2008.
Kingsland Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
I knew I’d like Thora Adams when she greeted me at the front door. She told me to remember her name by thinking “goddess of thunder”, and later related that as the mother of five sons, she had to be.
Thora met her late husband Cornelius in her native England while he was stationed there in the military and they opened this store in the 1970s. An earlier store had operated at the same site.
All their sons still live nearby, and people in the neighborhood are glad to have a neighborhood store and gathering place. I certainly enjoyed talking with her about country stores and everything else.
Thora is open every day except Sundays. Stop by and see her on Georgia Highway 158, about 12 miles south of Douglas, between the 17 Mile River and the Ware County Line. Just bring cash. She doesn’t take debit or credit cards.
David Adams writes: “My father Cornelius Adams owned the store before leaving it to my twin Paul Adams. We love this old store and hope it stays open forever. I had a lot of memories there as a child as did my three girls and all four of my brothers’ children. Stop by and see Michelle now and buy something. It is hard to compete with all of the chain stores. Old Country stores are becoming obsolete.“
I was really impressed at how well-stocked and practical the store was. Thora even sells cane poles.
And finally, the RC sign. What would a Southern country store be without one?
Update: I was very saddened to learn of Thora’s passing in 2015, but I will never forget her. She was one of my favorite “discoveries” in all my years of photographing rural Georgia and her infectious good spirit remains with me to this day.
McNatt Falls is an area along the Altamaha featuring numerous fishing cabins, mostly second homes, characterized by their elevation on stilts to protect from flooding.
While many of the structures are recycled mobile homes, many newer, more modern cabins are being built.
Water is usually at dock level here, but the 2011 drought has had a major impact on water levels on the Altamaha.
