Tag Archives: Georgia Streamline/Art Moderne Architecture

Automobile Dealership + Elberton Arts Center, 1948, Elberton

This former automobile dealership (I haven’t tracked down which one) was restored in 2014 and now serves as the Elberton Arts Center. It’s an architectural style known as Streamline Moderne, which was popular with automobile dealers after World War II for its modern appearance. Many Streamline Moderne structures have been demolished, so it’s nice to see Elberton put this one to good use. It’s located next door to another modern landmark in Elberton, the old health clinic featured in the previous post.

Savannah’s Last Historic African-American Theater Faces Uncertain Future

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East Side Theater, at the corner of East Broad and East Gwinnett

The old East Side Theater is the last survivor among several historic venues which once catered to African-Americans in Jim Crow-era Savannah. Others, including the Star and the Dunbar, have been lost to history, while the nearby Melody Theater was repurposed as the St. James AME Church. The 675-seat Streamline Moderne structure was designed by local architect Oscar M. Hansen and opened on 14 March 1946. It cost its owner, the Bailey Company, $100,000 to build, which was quite extravagant at the time. Over the years, it also hosted live performers, including James Brown. It closed in 1969, and other than housing Hungry World Missionary and a storage warehouse for a few years, has been empty ever since.

In recent years, there has been some talk of saving the structure but many references about that effort have mysteriously disappeared as development of the immediate area appears to be going forward. Possible renovation and re-use could come with a new residential development slated to be constructed around it, this is dependent on zoning issues involving height variances. Who knows what the future holds.

Carver Theater, 1946, Waycross

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Before desegregation in the 1950s and 1960s, Black citizens of the Jim Crow South were resigned to sitting in the balconies of public theatres, if they were allowed to attend them at all. In response to this, Black entrepreneurs in larger towns built their own theatres and public event spaces to provide an alternative for their communities. Waycross had at least two such theatres.

The first, known as the Rainbow Theatre, opened in 1939 and was described by an industry journal as a “colored house, seating 400”. I have been unable to determine where it was located. Perhaps it was a forerunner to the Carver. If anyone knows more, please share.

The second Black movie house, the Carver, was located on Oak Street, and opened in 1946. It remained in business until the early 1970s. It was primarily a movie house, but may have also hosted occasional live performances. A rare example of Streamline Moderne Art Deco architecture, it has been empty for years, but appears to be in good condition overall. It would certainly be an interesting candidate for restoration and adaptive re-use.

Cold Storage Facility, 1943, Swainsboro

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This has been identified as a cold storage facility and one source says it was owned by the Swainsboro Ice Fuel Company and built circa 1930. I believe that date is incorrect, since this style didn’t even emerge until the mid-1930s. I’m not sure about the ownership. Charles T. Elliott, Jr., thinks it may have been owned by Otis Price. All of the examples I’ve previously documented date to the 1940s. For some reason, this was one of the most popular designs for cold storage facilities, often referred to as meat lockers or freezer lockers.

Cold storage facilities were important resources before the 1950s, when home freezers rendered them largely unnecessary.

The Streamline Moderne style is derivative of Art Deco, and represented a radical, even futuristic, style for its day. Surviving examples are relatively rare in Georgia and should be preserved. This structure has had many tenants over the years, including a wholesale company, beauty salon, pool hall and bar. It is presently used for storage.

Miller Theater, 1940, Augusta

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The Miller Theater, a landmark of the Art Moderne style, opened in 1940 and was one of Augusta’s busiest entertainment venues. It was the work of architect Roy A. Benjamin, who also designed the San Marco and Florida [with R. E. Hall] Theatres in Jacksonville, the Marion Theatre in Ocala, and the Sarasota Opera House, among others. The Three Faces of Eve, a popular movie starring Georgia native Joanne Woodward, and based on the bestselling book by Augusta psychiatrists Corbett H. Thigpen and Hervey M. Cleckley, premiered at the Miller in 1957. Years of decline followed its closure as a first-run movie house in 1984, but community involvement and a $25 million renovation made its reopening in 2018 possible.

Broad Street Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Streamline Moderne Apartment Building, Albany

Calhoun County Frozen Foods, Edison

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Fred Bailey writes: I grew up in Edison, across the street from Mr. Joe and “Miss” Lynnette Jackson. They owned this business that we called “the freezer locker”. I believe the formal name of it was Calhoun County Frozen Foods…I was born in Edison in 1950. I worked for the Jacksons for a couple of months back then to earn money for college. Cows and hogs were slaughtered and processed there. Monday was “hog killing day”- also custom deer processing was done, as well as cold storage for the public. Horace Shepard, Jr, as well as a great man- a black man named “Sam” who taught me a lot about life, worked there along with the Jackson’s two son: Tom, who is my age, along with the older brother Joe, Jr, and of course Mr. Joe as well as “Miss” Lynnette also worked there. Life was much simpler back then- but though I like to look back on it- I really don’t miss it.

Martha Davis Collins recalls: Joe Jackson, who built and operating this business, and his family was our next-door neighbor. Everyone referred to it as “the freezer locker.”

Don King writes: I used to deliver meat to that place in the early to late 70’s from Lykes Brothers packing company. I also worked as a police officer in Edison 2000-2004.

Streamline Moderne House, Cordele

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Though not Streamline Moderne (or Art Moderne) in the purest sense, this house, whether built this way or modified to this appearance, exhibits strong elements of the style. It’s quite rare in residential examples, especially rural ones.

O’Neal School Neighborhood Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Streamline Moderne Storefront, Lincolnton

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Tag Archives: Georgia Streamline/Art Moderne Architecture

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