This structure served the medical needs of Ways Station-Richmond Hill from 1930 until 1951. According to the Coastal Bryan Heritage Trail, it was established by Mrs. Allethaire Ludlow Rotan as the Ways Health Association on 1 May 1930 and offered primary care to the community. It was first located near the present-day Community House, but was moved and expanded when the Fords assumed control in 1935. It played a central role in the eradication of malaria in the area. Dr. C. F. Holton, with nurses Constance Clark and Ella Reed Sams, served the clinic in the Ford era. And thanks to the generosity of the Fords, medical and dental services were free to all. The clinic ceased operation after the death of Clara Ford and was moved to its present location in the Bryan Neck-Keller area in 1951. Today, its home to a boutique known fittingly as “The Clinic”.
This chapel was built for Henry and Clara Ford in 1937 and named for their mothers. Mary was Henry’s mother and Martha was Clara’s mother. Pews and other church furnishings were constructed at the Ford Plantation carpentry shop. The Diocese of Savannah purchased the chapel in 1955 and it became St. Anne Catholic Church. Though St. Anne has a newer home, they still maintain this historic church.
Bailey Carpenter cut hair in this little building for over half a century. His most famous customer, Henry Ford, bought him a chair which he used for the rest of his career.
Bailey Carpenter (1910-2009) was Richmond Hill’s best known barber for over 50 years, and is still remembered today. When he died in 2009, just a few weeks shy of his 99th birthday, he had cut the hair of generations of local men.
His barber shop, now located on the grounds of the Richmond Hill History Museum, has stood at several sites over the years. Shirley Hiers wrote the definitive history of Carpenter’s Barber Shop, “A Mayberry state of mind” for the Bryan County News in 22 Sep 2010, and her article is the source for most of the facts shared here. She noted that Mr. Carpenter learned barbering during his time in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and began cutting hair around 1938.
Extensive conversations with long-time Richmond Hill citizens revealed that Annie Miner, who owned a small grocery store near US Highway 17, built a barbershop for Carpenter’s use between her grocery and a neighboring grocery store owned by Bennie Warsaw. And he did well, as he was the only barber in town. This is how he came to first cut Henry Ford’s hair, circa 1938. It was reported that Ford paid $3 for a 35-cent haircut, unheard of during the Great Depression. He even tipped Carpenter $10 on a couple of occasions. He was obviously pleased with his work.
Shirley Hiers wrote that Ford suggested Carpenter move his business into the back room of a two-story building at the corner of Ford Avenue and Constitution Way, but newer sources suggest Ford actually bought the shop and moved it to that location. (I can’t confirm either version). At this time Ford bought Carpenter a new barber chair, which he treasured for the rest of his life. For the next decade, Carpenter worked on the Ford Plantation while continuing his barbering. In the 1970s, the shop was moved across Georgia Highway 144, and moved down the road a few years later. In the 1980s Mr. Carpenter moved it to his backyard. After his death, it landed on the grounds of the Historical Museum.
The Richmond Hill History Museum, in the old Kindergarten Building, is located at the corner of Ford Avenue and Timber Trail.
The Kindergarten Building was constructed in 1940 at the behest of Henry Ford to serve the white children (ages three to six) of Ways Station-Richmond Hill. It featured a kitchen and two classrooms. Dr. Margaret Mustin was the first director of the facility.
The Bakery was built by Henry Ford in 1941 to supplement the adjacent Commissary and was a source of pride for the community. Ira C. Womble, Sr., managed the Bakery during the Ford years.
1929 Ford Model A Coupe, Ford Plantation Bakery
Ford was an early advocate of healthy eating and his friend, George Washington Carver, provided soybean flour to the bakery for experimental purposes.
1926 Ford interior, Ford Plantation Bakery
The parking lot of the Bakery is like a mini vintage automobile museum and even if you’re not an enthusiast, I believe you’ll be amazed.
This modern commissary was built by Henry Ford in 1941 to provide groceries, fresh meat, vegetables, and general merchandise to the employees of Richmond Hill Plantation. It also served as the market for the local community.
This large building appears to be in the process of restoration, hence the perspective view. According to the Coastal Bryan Heritage Trail, it is known as the Community House and was the largest public structure built by Henry and Clara Ford during their time in Richmond Hill (1926-1951). Local labor was employed in the construction of the Community House, which served a number of purposes. It was situated near the Ways Station School (no longer extant) and offered cooking, sewing, and home economics courses for adults and children, all free of charge. It also hosted dances and other social activities, many of which were personally attended by the Fords.
This structure has never been an annex as best I can tell, but it was known as “the Courthouse” for generations, likely due to the fact it was a polling place. Rural precincts are still known as “court houses” in many Georgia communities. Richmond Hill is a rapidly growing suburb of Savannah today, but its population didn’t surpass 1000 until the 1970s.
1931 Ford Model A Tudor, one of several pristine automobiles parked in front of buildings associated with Henry Ford, along Ford Avenue in downtown Richmond Hill
A historic marker placed by the Coastal Bryan Heritage Trail in 2012 reads: “This wood-frame structure, situated on a site known since the creation of Bryan County in 1793 as “the Crossroads”, was built in 1939 with funding provided by Henry Ford. The building came to be familiarly called “the Courthouse” by local citizens. For many years it was used for civic meetings and as the official Richmond Hill voting site. The local Masonic Lodge and Order of the Eastern Star organizations held their meetings in this facility. Later, city and county governmental offices were housed here.”
Zion Baptist Church was established in 1899 and was an important part of the African-American community of lower Bryan County for half of the 20th century. It originated as a wood frame prayer house. Prayer houses, [also known as praise houses], which first appeared on plantations, were characteristic landmarks of the Gullah-Geechee communities that dominated the Georgia Coast before the Great Migration. Few have survived.
According to Eugene Harris, who attended this church in his youth, the present structure was built circa 1950. Church members who worked in the cement business chose to rebuild with cinderblock for the longevity the material would provide. By this time, however, the congregation was dwindling. This quaint little building was abandoned in the early 1960s. In 2019, Mr. Harris, who returned to Richmond Hill after service in the Air Force, decided to restore the prayer house, which was overgrown with weeds and brush and in deteriorating condition. He took on the project as a one-man job but soon got assistance from the community, who raised nearly $5000 and contributed countless hours and materials to the effort. It is a living monument to the culture it represents, ultimately a place for prayer and quite reflection. And it’s proof that one man’s vision can save a piece of overlooked history for everyone to appreciate.
Due to the response to my feature on Jekyll Island postcards, I’m sharing a small sampling of my St. Simons Island cards. I will likely update and add more views in the future. I have several older cards that aren’t scanning well but will work on those.
St. Simons was named for a refugee community known as San Simón, associated with the Catholic missions located on the northern [Santo Domingo de Asao, or Asajo] and southern [San Buenaventura de Guadalquini] ends of the island in the 1600s. These missions and villages were abandoned after pirate raids in 1684. (Though the island is formally named “Saint Simons”, and some locals prefer the spelled out version, the abbreviated “St. Simons“ iswidely acceptedand much more commonly used).
Gascoigne Bluff, “The Gateway to St. Simons”
Gascoigne Bluff, St. Simons Island, Ga., Where Spaniards First Landed to Attack Gen. Oglethorpe. Albertype Postcard Published by Bryant’s Bookstore, Brunswick, Ga.
Gascoigne Bluff was named for Capt. James Gascoigne, who brought the first settlers to Frederica. The Spaniards landed here during their ill-fated 1742 invasion of the island. Long considered the gateway to Saint Simons, Gascoigne Bluff has been home to a plantation, timber mills, and most recently, the United Methodist retreat known as Epworth-by-the-Sea.
Drawbridge across Frederica River. Lusterchrome postcard published by South Georgia News Agency. Collection of Brian Brown.
The original causeway, built in 1924, terminated at Gascoigne Bluff. Several replacements and upgrades have followed. This drawbridge was part of the second generation causeway, constructed circa 1950. I’m old enough to remember this drawbridge and waiting (and waiting…) for passing boat traffic to get on the island.
Frederica Area
Tropical Foliage on Road to Frederica, St. Simons Island, Brunswick, Ga. Curt Teich Postcard. Collection of Brian Brown.
The road to Frederica was a narrow dirt path in the early 20th century. It is now a busy paved highway.
Fort Oglethorpe, St. Simons Island, Ga. Litho-Chrome Postcard. Collection of Brian Brown.
Fort Frederica is the most important surviving relic of the early settlement of St. Simons Island. Some of the early postcards identified Fort Frederica as Fort Oglethorpe, though this was never its name.
Fort Frederica, near Sea Island, Georgia. Hand-colored Albertype Postcard. Collection of Brian Brown.
It was named Frederica by Oglethorpe to honor Frederick Lewis, the prince of Wales, and was feminized to Frederica since there was already a Fort Frederick at Port Royal, South Carolina. The Kings’s Magazine, built circa 1740, is often represented as the fort itself, but was just a small part of the facility. It was the storehouse for powder and ammunition.
Barracks and Keep, erected by Gen. Oglethorpe. Frederica, Ga. Albertype Postcard published in 1910 by Fleming & Bryant, Brunswick, Ga. Collection of Brian Brown.
The only other surviving structure on the property is the barracks. The architecture is typical of other English forts of the era.
Old Vault in Spanish Burial Grounds, Frederica, Ga. Albertype Postcard published in 1910 by Fleming & Bryant, Brunswick, Ga. Collection of Brian Brown.
This card depicts an old mausoleum. It’s located in the cemetery [now known as the Frederica Old Burial Ground] adjacent to the village of Frederica and is misidentified as being Spanish. This was common when these postcards were produced in the 1910s-1930s.
Frederica Yacht Club, St. Simons Island, Ga. Collotype Postcard. Collection of Brian Brown.
The Frederica Yacht Club was located just south of the fort. It was established in the 1930s by Franklin Horne, who also opened the King and Prince in 1935. An early manager of the yacht club, Bennie Gentile, opened Bennie’s Red Barn in 1954. The club was closed by the 1970s and the clubhouse was demolished.
The Landing, Frederica, Saint Simons Island, Brunswick, Ga. Albertype Postcard published by . Collection of Brian Brown.
This landing on the Frederica River, predates the yacht club.
Bloody Marsh, where the battle of Bloody Marsh was fought July 12th, 1742. Albertype postcard published in 1910 by Fleming & Bryant, Brunswick, Ga. Collection of Brian Brown.
On 7 July 7 1742, English and Spanish forces skirmished on St. Simons Island, near this site. The event, which later came to be known as the Battle of Bloody Marsh, was the only attempted invasion of Georgia by the Spanish during the War of Jenkins’ Ear. The English victory put an end to the war along the Georgia-Florida border.
Oglethorpe Monument, St. Simons Island, Near Sea Island Beach, Georgia. Curt Teich Postcard. Collection of Brian Brown.
The Oglethorpe Monument marks the site of the Battle of Bloody Marsh. It was erected by the Society of Colonial Wars in 1904(?) and features a bronze plaque created by Tiffany & Co.
Christ Church, Frederica. St. Simons Island, Ga. Where the Wesleys Preached. Albertype Postcard published by Glover Bros., Brunswick, Ga. Collection of Brian Brown.
Christ Church has been integral to the history of St. Simons since its establishment in 1820 and is one of the best-loved historic sites on the island. Charles Wesley, brother of Methodism’s founder, John Wesley, was with Oglethorpe at the founding of Frederica in 1736.
Old Tomb at Frederica, St. Simons Island, Brunswick, Ga. Curt Teich Postcard. Collection of Brian Brown.
This old tomb is still a highlight of the cemetery at Christ Church. It is known as the Hazzard Tomb, and bears the inscription “Hazzard – A. D. 1813” on a bronze plaque. William Hazzard (1684-1757) was the owner of West Point Plantation, on St. Simons.
Plantations
Pink Chapel. Curt Teich Postcard published by Ward News Co. 1946. Collection of Brian Brown.
The mysterious Pink Chapel was located on West Point Plantation.
Litho-Chrome Postcard published by Vickers & Mann, Brunswick, Ga. Circa 1910. Collection of Brian Brown.
King’s Retreat was historically home to Retreat Plantation, originally owned by Major William Page beginning in 1804. His daughter, Anna Matilda, married Thomas Butler King, and was a later owner.
King & Prince Hotel, Saint Simons Island, Georgia. Curt Teich Postcard. Collection of Brian Brown.
The King & Prince, the most iconic hotel on St. Simons, was built on property of the old King’s Retreat.
The Jeep Train, St. Simons Island, Ga. Colorpicture Postcard. Photograph by Gil Tharp. Collection of Brian Brown.
Marvin L. Long operated this popular tourist attraction for many years. A series of two-wheeled carts, pulled first by mules, and later, by a Jeep, ferried visitors around some of the natural areas of St. Simons island.
Light House, Pier, and Beaches
Light House, St. Simons Island. Albertype Postcard published by Fleming & Bryant, Brunswick, Ga. Collection of Brian Brown.
Lighthouse, St. Simon’s Island, Brunswick, Ga. Postcard published by E. von Bardeleben. Collection of Brian Brown.
The 104′ beacon was built in 1872 to replace an earlier tower built in 1810.
“County Casino”, Saint Simons Island, Brunswick, Ga. Curt Teich Postcard. Collection of Brian Brown.
This structure was the first of four “county casino” buildings. Built in 1928, it was destroyed by fire in 1935. Casino in this context just means a public recreational facility.
The Casino, Neptune Park, St. Simons Island, Ga. Curt Teich Postcard published by Lau-Rhea Ward. Collection of Brian Brown.
A source online notes that this was the fourth St. Simons casino building but “mhanneld” writes: “…In 2006 the building identified as the second casino was extensively renovated and modified, but the core structure is still what is referred to as the second casino.” This was one of many cards published by Lau-Rhea Ward Smith (1899-1982) and Ward News Company.
Private Cottages and Beach, St. Simons Island, Brunswick, Ga. Curt Teich Postcard. Collection of Brian Brown.
Private cottages and boarding houses lined the beach, near the pier.
Spanish Canon, St. Simons Island, Brunswick, Ga. Curt Teich Postcard. Collection of Brian Brown.
The Spanish Cannon in front of this boarding house was obviously a well-regarded historical relic when this card was made.
Ocean Pier, St. Simons Island, Ga. Postcard published by Winston Studio, Copyright 1908 by G. M. Merrifield. Collection of Brian Brown.
This early view of the shows steamers, which brought early tourists to the island before the construction of a causeway.
St. Simons Pier, St. Simons, Georgia. Ward News Company Postcard. Collection of Brian Brown.
This 1930s card shows tourists dressed for a day on the island. Though the causeway was already constructed, not everyone owned cars at this time. A tourist boat is visible in the background.
Shopping Center. Lusterchrome Postcard published by South Georgia News Agency. Collection of Brian Brown.
This 1950s view looks out to the pier from “downtown” St. Simons, better known as “The Village”.
On the Beach, St. Simons Island, Ga. Albertype Postcard published by Fleming & Bryant. Collection of Brian Brown.
Dress for the beach circa 1908 was quite different than today.
U. S. Coast Guard Station, East Beach, St. Simons Island, Near Brunswick Ga. Ward News Company Postcard. Collection of Brian Brown.
At the time of its construction in 1937, the East Beach Coast Guard Station was the only such facility in Georgia. It serves as a museum today.
Hotels
New St. Simons Hotel, St. Simons Island, Ga. Kress & Co. Postcard. Collection of Brian Brown.
This card was mailed from St. Simons Island to Los Angeles in 1911. My understanding is that this grand hotel was built circa 1910 and was destroyed by fire circa 1916.
Saint Simons Hotel, Saint Simon Island, Ga. Albertype Postcard published by Saint Simons Hotel. Collection of Brian Brown.
This is one of at least two hotels by this name. The card was mailed in 1924.
Ocean View House, St. Simons Island, Ga. Curt Teich Postcard. Collection of Brian Brown.
This property, a boarding house, was owned by W. Arnold and rented rooms for $3 per day. It was also known as the Arnold House.
Santa Maria Inn, St. Simons Island, Ga. (Brunswick, Ga.). Unattributed postcard. Collection of Brian Brown.
Privately owned tourist cottages were the primary form of lodging on St. Simons throughout the early 20th century.
The Stanton Inn, St. Simons Island, Georgia. Louisville Courier Journal Job Printing Co. Postcard. Collection of Brian Brown.
The Stanton Inn was another boarding house that seems quite small by today’s tourist standards.
Sea Haven Inn, St. Simons Island, Ga. Eagle View Postcard View Company Postcard. Collection of Brian Brown.
The Sea Haven had a great reputation, a step up from some of the simpler boarding houses popular from the 1910s-1950s.
Surf Side Motel. Lusterchrome Postcard. Collection of Brian Brown.
The Surf-Side represented an evolution from the tourist homes and boarding houses to a more modern property.
Craft’s Ocean Court. Brown Printing Company Postcard. Collection of Brian Brown.
Like the Surf-Side, Crafts Ocean Court was a new property. It was quintessentially Mid-Century Modern.
Greetings from Saint Simons Island Georgia. Curt Teich Large-Letter Postcard. Collection of Brian Brown.
