Tag Archives: Georgia Houses

Dr. Leroy Dorminy House, Ocilla

This Tudor Revival landmark was the home of Dr. Arthur Leroy Dorminy (1923-2016) and is still owned by his family. Dr. Dorminy was a beloved veterinarian with many clients in the Ocilla area throughout his long career. My parents have fond memories of him from the time he took care of our German Shepherd, Lucky, in the 1970s. My mother still remembers what a kind man he was.

In addition to his practice, he founded the Christian Veterinary Mission (CVM) in 1976. The CVM provides care to communities generally not well-served by the veterinary profession, and trains and assists veterinarians in underdeveloped nations all over the world. The Dorminy House, which serves the CVM at the University of Georgia, is dedicated to Dr. Dorminy, himself a 1950 graduate of the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine.

Queen Anne Cottage, Circa 1900, Lumber City

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This fine Queen Anne cottage has been used as an insurance office for many years but retains its beautiful fretwork and overall appearance. Some would call it a “gingerbread” house. It’s one of the nicest surviving Victorian houses in Lumber City. It was possibly designed or built by the Scottish immigrant John Renwick, who was actively building in Lumber City at the time of its construction.

Gabled-Ell Cottage, Lumber City

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This was originally a saddlebag house, as the two front doors and remnant central chimney would suggest, but at some point a wing, or ell, was added.

Folk Victorian Cottage, Lumber City

Folk Victorian Cottage, Rochelle

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I’ve documented thousands of Folk Victorian houses over the years. Like Eclectic styles of the early 20th century, the Folk Victorian style was usually the marriage of different sensibilities. This house, ostensibly Queen Anne, and well executed to that end, is actually a central hallway cottage with applied Victorian details. They may be original to the house, or may have been added later, but the overall effect is achieved.

Colonial Revival Cottage, Rochelle

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Rochelle’s historic residential neighborhood is small but I think there are enough notable properties to warrant inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. This fine home is a nice example of the Eclecticism popular in the early 20th century. It has the form of a Georgian Cottage, with Neoclassical elements and Colonial Revival decorative accents.

Eclectic Craftsman Bungalow, Irwin County

Hall and Parlor Cottage, Irwinville

Goolsby House, 1909, Fitzgerald

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This Craftsman townhouse was home for nearly 50 years to Foster Goolsby (1922-2016) and Frances Taylor Goolsby (1920-2011) and their family, and I had many pleasurable visits on this porch, in the shade of the two big magnolia trees that dominate the front yard.

Foster Goolsby was a B-17 pilot in World War II who had a penchant for telling amazing stories, and he didn’t mind telling anyone how much he hated Fitzgerald’s wild chickens, for their habit of destroying his wife’s flower beds. A Talbot County native, he came to Fitzgerald while serving as headmaster of Irwin Academy, after being principal of at least seven schools prior to his move. He was also superintendent of the Valdosta City Schools for 10 years. In addition to this work, he served for over 40 years as chairman of the board of the Georgia Accrediting Commission.

Frances was born in Elberton and was a genteel Southern lady of another era. A consummate hostess and homemaker, she was well known for her award winning flower arrangements and her time with the Magnolia Garden Club.

I don’t have information on who built the house at the moment, but will update at some point. I’ve identified it as the Goolsby House for their long association with the property.

I made these photographs in 2016 at the invitation of Al Johnson and the house was staged for sale at the time. The beautiful interior design work was done by Lisa Davis Eldridge. The house now has new owners.

It was amazing to see the house restored. I know the Goolsbys would be proud to see what it has become.

It’s a great example of what can be done with historic properties. The Craftsman style endures as one of the most practical and adaptable forms of American architecure.

Winter Storm Enzo 2025: Long County

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Like all of South Georgia, Long County saw what was likely record snowfall from Winter Storm Enzo. Amazingly, similar snowfall occurred in the area in 2018. Some random landmarks from throughout the week are shared below, most of which are in Ludowici. I’ll also be sharing some nature-based images from Griffin Ridge.