Tag Archives: Great Depression in Georgia

Cloudland Canyon, Dade County

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Through the acquisition of private lands beginning in 1938, Cloudland Canyon State Park was established in 1939, with much of the initial work being done by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) as part of FDR’s New Deal. Until this time, the only access to most of Dade County was through Alabama or Tennessee so the State of Georgia and the CCC built Georgia Highway 136 to connect the park and the county seat of Trenton to U. S. 41 and the rest of the state.

Before you explore, check out the interpretive center. The architecture could be described as a modern chalet meets something from outer space. If you’re a fan of architecture, you’ll probably intrigued. I’m going to try to find out more about it.

The park is located on the Cumberland Plateau atop Lookout Mountain, where Daniel Creek and Bear Creek converge to form Sitton Gulch Creek. The site was historically known as Sitton Gulch. Characterized by a dramatic gorge cut by Sitton Gulch Creek, Cloudland Canyon is over a thousand feet in overall depth, with elevations ranging from 800 to 1980 feet.

One of the most-visited state parks in Georgia, Cloudland Canyon offers something for everyone. Primitive campers, as well as “glampers” utilizing one of the well-appointed yurts or cottages, can spend days hiking the canyon, accessing waterfalls, caves and other amazing features.

I highly recommend adding this to your Georgia “bucket list” if you’ve never visited.

Even if you’re not an “experienced” hiker, the the Overlook Trail adjacent to the main parking lot is relatively easy. The views at the main overlook are well worth the effort.

Overlook #2 is a short hike from the interpretive center and affords wonderful views of Bear Creek Gorge. It’s usually quite shaded and a bit difficult to photograph.

From the Overlook Trail, follow signs to the Waterfalls Trail. A quick descent and strenuous steps characterize this hike, which I didn’t complete due to time constraints.

Even if you can’t make it all the way to the falls, enjoy the geologic formations, including this well-known rock overhang.

North Georgia College Library, 1939, Dahlonega

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Typical of New Deal architecture, the old North Georgia College (now the University of North Georgia) library was built by the Federal Works Agency and is now used for classrooms, I believe.

Maggie L. Page Clubhouse, 1937, Byromville

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This was originally a residence, but the Byromville Woman’s Club purchased it for $75  in 1936 and utilized WPA labor to renovate it for use as their clubhouse. They held their first meeting here the day after Thanksgiving, 1937. A bit of history from  the 2010 Byromville Woman’s Club Yearbook: In October 1918 a group of ladies met at the school auditorium to organize a club to promote a more friendly relationship between parents and teacher and to work for the upbuiding of the school and community. Mrs. Minnie McDonald was the organizer and suggested the name School Improvement Club, which was adopted by the club.

They changed their name to Byromville Woman’s Club in 1970.

Taylor County Courthouse, 1935, Butler

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Taylor County’s  Neoclassical/Colonial Revival courthouse was funded by the Civil Works Administration, part of Roosevelt’s New Deal. Significantly, it was designed by Frederick Roy Duncan (1864-1947) an architect from nearby Columbus, known for work on the Gatun Power Plant on the Panama Canal in 1910, as well as public buildings in Columbus and various structures at Fort Benning.  This courthouse replaced Taylor County’s first courthouse, on the same location. It was built in 1852 and stood until 1934, when it was torn down using convict labor.

National Register of Historic Places

Carver Farm, Irwinville Farms, 1936

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This home was built for the Carver family by the Irwinville Farms Project, an initiative of the Farm Security Administration. Because the houses were utilitarian and therefore quite small, most families outgrew them. A variety of expansions can be seen on most of the surviving Irwinville Farms houses today; the Carver house has a minimal addition at the rear but it’s still one of the best examples of the way houses were originally built on the project.

I’ve photographed the tobacco barn on the farm many times over the years, and it remains one of my favorites. It’s an iconic symbol of Irwinville Farms.

Walasi-Yi Interpretive Center, 1937, Union County

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Though it’s evolved over the years, the focal point of the center remains the old Walasi-Yi Inn (pronounced Wa La See Yee) built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) between 1934-37 on the site of an old tea room and inn previously owned by the Pfister-Vogel Land Company.

This site on Blood Mountain (elevation 4458) was known as Frogtown Gap until the completion of the highway around 1924, when it was changed to Neel (or Neel’s) Gap to honor the highway engineer. It’s been suggested that Walasi was a great mythical frog in Cherokee lore who was the chief of the animal council and made his home high on this gap. The CCC inn and restaurant operated until the 1960s and the structure fell into disrepair. Slated for demolition in the 1970s, it was saved by locals. The Walasi-Yi Interpretive Center building is also significant as the only place the Appalachian Trail passes through a structure over its 2100+ miles.

These days, you’re likely to be greeted by one of the center’s famous tabby cats, who seem to have no care in the world and don’t mind the hoardes of tourists and hikers passing through. Since 1983, the center has been an outfitter and store known as Mountain Crossings at Neel Gap.

Appalachian Trail stickers and kitsch are evident everywhere here. One of my favorites is the “Cell Phone Booth”, an old pay telephone booth minus the telephone, that was left behind to afford hikers a covered spot to use their cell phones in this often wet locale.

Hikers who have done 30 miles on the trail leave their worn out boots and shoes in an old tree at the center. Those who have completed at least 500 miles can hang their shoes and packs inside to inspire other hikers.

 

New Era School, 1929, Sumter County

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Beverly Burk writes: This brick building was built in 1929 and was called New Era School. It operated until the early 1970,s and was closed. Grades 1 -9 attended. It was renovated in the late 1980s and is now a beautiful home.

Greensboro Post Office, 1936

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This New Deal Post Office is still in use and features murals by artist Carson Davenport (1908-1972).  Davenport served as director of the WPA Art School & Gallery in Big Stone Gap, Virginia and was Chairman of the Art Department at Averett College from 1943-1969.

“The Burning of Greensborough” (Detail)

“Cotton Picking in Georgia” (Detail)

“Cotton Picking in Georgia” (Detail)

Greensboro Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

 

Burke County Courthouse, 1857, Waynesboro

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Burke County’s historic antebellum courthouse is actually the fourth to serve the county. A log cabin built in 1773 first served this purpose, followed by a wooden courthouse built in 1777. After it burned in 1825, temporary facilities were used until a third courthouse was built in 1856. It burned soon thereafter and was replaced by this structure in 1857. Expansions in 1899 by architect L. F. Goodrich gave the courthouse its present appearance. To accommodate population growth, an annex (pictured below)  was completed by the Public Works Administration in 1940.

Waynesboro Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Troup County Courthouse, 1939, LaGrange

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Now replaced by a newer facility, William J. J. Chase‘s Stripped Classical New Deal courthouse is still used for county business and is adjacent to the new courthouse. Chase also designed the Seminole, Mitchell, and Cook County courthouses.

National Register of Historic Places