Thompson’s Grocery is an iconic example of the shotgun stores that proliferated in Georgia in the first few decades of the 20th century.
Thompson’s Grocery, Circa 1920, McIntyre
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Tag Archives: Georgia Vernacular Architecture
Mt. Olive Primitive Baptist Church, Circa 1880s, Wilkinson County
This historic church, once known as Evergreen, is located at the Wilkinson-Laurens County line. According to Victor Davidson’s History of Wilkinson County, Mt. Olive Primitive Baptist Church was organized May 25, 1837, by William Payne, a minister, and his wife Sarah, Benjamin Fordham, Nathaniel Cannon, Miles Cannon and his wife Nancy Isler Cannon, John Holliman and his wife Prudence Hooks Holliman, Anna Burkhalts and Martha Payne, all former members of Big Sandy Church. The land was given to the church by Nathaniel Cannon, Revolutionary War veteran.
Plantation Plain Farmhouse, Circa 1840s, Wilkinson County
The only information I’ve been able to locate regarding this amazing house dates it to 1849; I believe it may have been built a bit earlier. Like similar historic homes in Wilkinson County, it may have originally been a “dogtrot” with an open hallway at the center.
Gothic Revival Farmhouse, Wilkinson County
This vernacular Gothic Revival [or Carpenter Gothic] farmhouse is amazingly original and includes a rear ell. It is of a style often referenced as Folk Victorian, but the Gothic Revival dormer is the dominant feature. An historic log barn is also present. An historic survey dates it to 1915, but I believe it to actually date to the late 19th century
W. A. Bell House, Wilkinson County
This is a wonderful example of a central hallway house with a rear wing. It is well-preserved and the center of the historic W. A. Bell Farm. It likely dates to the early 20th century.
Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, 1872, Wilkinson County
A group of thirty Methodists organized this congregation in 1870, which first met in a brush arbor, until the construction of this structure in 1872. There is a gap in the early records of the church; the first known pastor was Rev. Bascom Sentell, in 1883.
Farm Structure, Wilkinson County
I believe this neat structure, like the one in the previous post, was a working part of an historic farm.
Commissary, Wilkinson County
I’m identifying this farm-related dependency as a commissary, based on the design; it could just as likely have been an office or other functional structure. I’m always grateful to property owners who recognize the importance of these places, allowing others to see a real link to the past. In my estimation, the boxed cornice returns on the gables would suggest a relatively early construction date [likely, late 19th century].
Hall-and-Parlor Cottage, Circa 1895, Wilkinson County
This hall-and-parlor cottage, complete with a preacher’s room, is a wonderful example of this historic vernacular form. While the romantic notion of a preacher’s room would suggest it hosted traveling preachers, it was more likely just an added room to accommodate a growing family. Perhaps visiting family used it, as well.
A resource survey suggests that this house may have originally been a tenant house.
Central Hallway Cottage, Toomsboro
This double-pen, or two-room cottage is a bit more “architectural” than most houses of this type, thanks to the addition of the dormer.