This structure, clad in local marble, was built to replace the old Cherokee County Courthouse which burned in 1927. The upper floor served as the jail. A. Ten Eyck Brown was the architect. It has been replaced by a newer facility but remains an anchor of historic downtown Canton, serving the community as a local history museum and visitor center.
National Register of Historic Places
This has served as Bainbridge City Hall for many years, and was recently restored. It’s one of the most impressive marble structures in South Georgia.
Bainbridge Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Bainbridge has a relatively intact commercial core, unlike many small South Georgia towns who have seen significant losses due to neglect and deterioration in recent years. There is presently an active movement to restore buildings which have long been derelict, resulting in a vibrant downtown. It’s a process that doesn’t happen overnight, but they’re making great progress.
Corner of Broad and Water Streets
Marble Front Bank (1900), Broad Street
Corner of Broad and Broughton Streets
Corner of Broad and Broughton Streets
Broughton Street
Bainbridge Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
This marble-front commercial block is one of the nicest historic retail buildings remaining in downtown Cordele. Its condition is probably not good, but hopefully, it can be saved. Watt and Holmes was one of the most successful businesses in early-20th-century Cordele. It was last home to an Allied Department Store.
Cordele Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
I had a nice talk with the owner of this old bank, which was built by E. J. Fuler. He showed me around the interior, which is in a bit of a mess at the moment as he is presently restoring it. It still retains the fancy tilework and marble counters. He has added a section at the rear which will house an indoor shooting range. The building will not only retain its historic integrity but intrusive renovations made in the later days of its use as a bank will be removed.
Designed by William Edwards of the Atlanta firm of Edwards & Sayward, the Bank of Tifton is one of the most distinct commercial structures in the historic district. Several banks have occupied the site over the years and it is presently an Ameris Bank. The wing on the right side is an unfortunate later expansion, speaking solely in terms of architectural integrity.
Tifton Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
This former bank has been beautifully restored and is now home to a cafe known as, what else, The Vault.
The historic commercial storefronts that surround the Berrien County courthouse are the heart of Nashville. They’ve been undergoing restorations in recent years.
Harvey’s Supermarket, Nashville’s most famous export, maintains a presence downtown with their support center. The old headquarters south of town is something else now.
Most of the structures are typical of early-20th-century commercial design.
The standout, however, is the McLamb & Company building (1907).
Another notable storefront is the marble jewelry store.
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.
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