Tag Archives: Georgia Landmarks

Oden Memorials in Bone Cemetery, 1981, Milledgeville

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Bone Cemetery was established by Russel G. Bone in the 1940s, in one of Milledgeville’s historic Black neighborhoods. The most notable memorials are these moving tributes to the Oden family. They are part of the larger Collier-Oden plot, and are located at the feet of commercially manufactured granite slabs. William T. Collier, was an Army veteran of World War I, the organizer and first commander of American Legion Post 523, and a prominent brick mason.

This 6-foot anchor may be the most impressive of the three concrete memorials.

Ralph Oden (1951-1969)

It identifies Ralph and Ruth Oden.

Ruth Oden (1908-1955)

I’m not sure what the “S” indicates.

“Son”, on this point of the anchor, may be another reference to Ruth’s son, Ralph.

This is one of two five-pointed stars. The lower points of both are buried slightly into the concrete within the plot. Considering that family members were brick masons, one of them was likely the maker of these memorials. The inscription reads: Memory – Marguerite – Ruth – Builder – Bro. Lo. Ruth’s name appears again, but I can’t connect the others.

Lorenzo William Oden (1909-1988)

The stars are about 3 or 4 feet tall, much larger than any others I’ve encountered. This one bears the inscription: 1981 – Warren Honor Clyde – Grant General – Lorenzo. I believe 1981 is the year that these were made. Lorenzo Oden was married to Gladys Collier, daughter of William T. Collier. He was a Carpenter’s Mate Third Class in World War II, and was also a master brick mason. He was a life member of Bricklayers Union #3 and American Legion Post 523.

Johnston House Demolished in Ludowici

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This house, which has been identified as the Allen Johnston House, was razed in the past few days. Debate continues as to the date and early ownership of the house, which local sources cite as circa 1858. While a few hand-hewn beams were visible in the ruins, most of the carpentry appears to be later than 1858. Even if the house as it appeared before demolition dated to the 1890s, as some have suggested, it would be one of the oldest in Ludowici.

The chimneys are all that remain.

Sandy Grove AME Church, 1911 + Sandy Grove School, Warren County

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Sandy Grove AME is of the “two-tower” style, once common among Black churches in Georgia.

Sandy Grove AME was organized by freedmen circa 1875, and as its name would imply, held its first meetings in a grove, or brush arbor as it is more commonly referred to in Georgia. They had an early association with Johnson Grove Methodist Church but acquired this property in 1875 and established their own congregation. They eventually built a small frame church, which was replaced with this structure in 1911.

Church interior

The church was a symbol of pride for the Black community in Warren County and architecturally, is perhaps the most significant remnant of a history that hasn’t yet been fully documented. The congregation held on for as long as it could but faced the same challenges affecting rural churches all over the country.

Sandy Grove School

Sandy Grove believed in the power of literacy and education, and like many rural Black congregations, they built their own school to educate as many children as they could. County-operated schools for African-Americans at the time were substandard at best and churches took up the slack.

Schoolhouse interior

These resources are among the most endangered in Georgia and it is sad to see them forgotten.

Church and school

Roof damage has created a permanent threat to the church building and its impacts may be irreparable. It is a real shame to see this important structure in this condition.

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, Hancock County

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Mt. Zion’s historic cemetery is quite large and situated on hilly terrain. There is a nice variety of memorials, including many modern commercial types, but mixed among them are quite a few vernacular types, including these local granite stones. The names of the decedents are long lost.

Jeff Mapp (1900-1973)

This is one of several markers by Eldren Bailey found in Mt. Zion. This one has been painted white and was purchased through the Houston Funeral Home.

Willis James

I believe this is a child’s grave, since it identifies the decedent as “Master”. This term is commonly used with children. Like many memorials by Eldren Bailey, this one has been “buried” a few inches into the ground.

Louise Hillman

This Elden Bailey-produced memorial was sold through Atlanta’s Haugabrooks Funeral Home.

Deacon Lueagon Elbert Moss (1873-1958) and Mariah Moss (1872-1959) + Arthur Moss

The memorial for Deacon & Mrs. Moss is typical of the stenciled concrete markers found in the older sections of the cemetery. Arthur Moss may have been one of their children. His memorial is hand made.

Caroline Barrow ((1850?-1901)

This one of several older commercial marble memorials in the cemetery.

Robert Lee Bennett (1950-1970)

This handmade memorial is bordered with small rocks or pebbles. I believe there was something attached where the hole is now.

Cyrus Howell (1878-1956) Findagrave lists 1874 as the birthdate, but I think that is an error.

Mr. Howell was the oldest deacon at Mt. Zion at the time of his death.

Addie Lawrence (Dates undetermined; Findagrave records it as 1874-1961)

This is another nice example of a vernacular memorial using stencils that adds an extra touch with the impression of a dove. Mrs. Lawrence was a well-loved member of the Mt. Zion community and worked as a midwife for many years. In 1930, with M. C. Lawrence, Mattie Lawrence, M. F. Hillman, A. F. Tucker, R. B. Glover, Cyrus Howell and Lucy Kendrick, she formed a benevolent institution known as the “Band of Faithful Workers”. According to their legal petition filed with the county, the purpose of their institution was “caring for the sick and burial of the dead”.

Mt. Zion Schoolhouse + Precinct House, Hancock County

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This little pyramidal building in the churchyard of historic Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church originally served as a schoolhouse but more recently was used as a voting precinct. The community is known as Mt. Zion for the nearby Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church and its long vanished academy. It is an early area of settlement in Hancock County.

Sign for older voters

The structure appears to be primarily used for the disposal of old cemetery flowers today, inside and outside. It’s a better idea than throwing them in the woods, which I see at a lot of churches.

I hope this amazing resource will survive. Though it looks to be very endangered, it’s been here for many years and would have already been razed had the congregation not appreciated its historical importance.

General Store, Culverton

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This false front store building was likely a general store. Tax records date it to 1930, which seems a bit early, but the cinderblock may have been a later addition.

Brown Chapel AME Church, 1927, Hancock County

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Brown Chapel AME was established by freedmen on 18 February 1875. I’m unsure as to the early history, but a G. Brown was listed among the trustees when the cornerstone was placed for this structure in 1927. There are just a few Browns in the cemetery, but there are also many unmarked graves. The oldest identifiable Brown was Roann Brown (1862-1916). I don’t know if they have a connection to the name or not.

The church is one of my favorites and definitely one of the most architecturally notable in Hancock County. I call this steeple style a “wedding cake” for lack of a better term. Black Rock AME in Wilkes County is another “wedding cake” church, but its “layers” are narrower and taller. The front porch of Brown Chapel was added in 1971, but otherwise the church is largely original.

Springfield-Log Cabin Cooperative Store, 1930, Hancock County

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A small cooperative store, built from local stone, was constructed in the Springfield-Log Cabin community in 1930. It was the first store in this area, other than a commissary on the Zack Hubert farm, and a popular gathering place. The covered pavilion out front encouraged outdoor visits .

A cafeteria used by students of the nearby school was located adjacent to the store. It was also built of local stone but has been gone for many years.

Camilla-Zack Community Center District, National Register of Historic Places

Springfield Baptist Church, 1879, Hancock County

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Springfield Baptist Church took its name from the community of freedmen that grew up around the Black-owned farms of the three Hubert brothers, Zack, David, and Floyd. When clearing land in the mid 1870s, one of the brothers discovered a large spring across the road from the present location, and services were first held in a brush arbor near the spring.

In the November 2002 issue of Reflections, the newsletter of the Georgia African-American Historic Preservation Network, Jeanne Cyriaque indicates that by 1877 Zach Hubert had already implemented a church building program for the burgeoning congregation. She also notes that the church was built the next year. I believe it was formally dedicated on 12 July 1879. If this is the original church building, it was obviously sided with brick later in its history. The congregation remains active today.

Camilla-Zack Community Center District, National Register of Historic Places

Holt Chapel + Holt School & Sunlight Brothers and Sisters Society Lodge, 1930s, Jones County

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Holt Chapel was an historic Black congregation located north of Haddock. Its establishment dates to the late 19th century. Though no longer active, a foundation maintains the property to some extent.

The church building, which replaced an earlier wood frame structure, is typical of second generation structures for rural Black congregations.

Of much greater architectural significance is the Holt School building, adjacent to the church. It is of a common style once found throughout this section of Middle Georgia of which few survive. [I have personally documented examples in Hancock, Baldwin, and Jones Counties]. Upon its construction in the 1930s it served a dual purpose. The first floor was an elementary school for children of the church and surrounding community while the second floor was home to the Sunlight Brothers and Sisters Society, a church-based benevolent society.

Thanks to the Holt School Foundation and Jones County History and Heritage, Inc., it was saved about 20 years ago and appears to be well-maintained.