Tag Archives: Lost Structures & Landmarks of Georgia

Jordan Chapel School & Lodge, Haddock

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I’m honored to be able to share this photograph by Anne Chamlee; it will be one of several I plan on publishing here and on Vanishing Georgia. Earlier this year, Anne reached out to let me know that she appreciated the work I was doing documenting Georgia’s rural architecture and that she had some photographs of her own that I might enjoy seeing. After several back-and-forth emails and some phone conversations, I’m so glad we were able to make a connection. She’s just as intrigued by the architecture of rural Georgia as I am and by the late 1980s was wandering around the backroads of Middle Georgia, photographing the endangered examples that sparked her interest. She’s also a delightful conversationalist, which is a bit of vanishing thing itself these days.

A Sooner by birth, Anne came South with her family just as the Dust Bowl was coming to an end. They wound up in Florida and she eventually met and married a man with roots in Hancock County, Tilmon Chamlee. Tilmon was a rising architect who had a very successful career in the commercial sector. After many years in Florida and then Macon, Anne and Tilmon eventually settled at Lake Sinclair in Baldwin County, where he continued his practice and indulged in his love for flying. He was also a commercial and instrument-rated pilot. Tilmon passed away in 2015 but Anne remains active in the community. After talking with her on the phone a few times, I still cannot believe she’s 85.

Regarding the structure: This was the school and lodge associated with Jordan Chapel AME Church. It was located near Haddock and is no longer extant. The photo dates to July 1988.

Oliver School, Screven County

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Photo Courtesy John Aubrey Brown

I’m so excited to be able to share this photograph, which was shared by my friend John Brown. He made the shot circa 1995. It’s the old Oliver School and was lost to fire a few years after the photograph was made.

Oliver was one of about 40 white schools in Screven County surveyed by M. L. Duggan for the Georgia Department of Education in 1916. The steeple or bell tower was a design element present only in the larger schools of the county, including Capitola, Douglas Branch, Gilgal, Harmony, Rocky Ford, and Sylvania. At the time of the survey, W. S. Brown was teacher and principal, and Miss Fannie Ryon was his assistant. There were 10 grades and 62 students, with a 32-week school year. The school was valued at $3000 and was noted to be in very good condition.

Williamson House, Circa 1870s, Ben Hill County

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This historic home (seen here in 2014), was owned by the late George Horton Williamson (1928-2019). It was recently torn down. According to his granddaughter, Wendy Young, Mr. Williamson was born and raised in the house. I believe it was among the oldest houses remaining in Ben Hill County, possibly built in the 1870s by Mr. Williamson’s grandfather, Charles M. Williamson (1845-1920). This section of the county has long been known as Williamson’s Mill, for the family who operated a shingle mill in the area and founded Salem Baptist Church. The house was certainly an important link to the early history of this community.

Update: As of 2023 this house is no longer extant.

Louisville’s Little House Lost to Fire

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The news came yesterday that lightning had claimed the iconic Little House. The preservation community is devastated, with emotions ranging from sadness to disbelief. Cate Short summed it up: I still can’t believe that lightning missed her for 170 years and then struck her when she was finally being given the love she needed.

The J. C. Little House was perhaps the most famous in Louisville, and stood empty and neglected for many years. Known affectionately to some as “Louise”, it had recently become a symbol of perseverance in the preservation community.When it seemed all hope for its future was lost, Kevin and Laine Berry came to its rescue, determined to return it to its former glory. They regularly shared the progress on the Gothic Revival landmark on their various social media accounts. My heart goes out to them, and to all who have embraced this admirable project.

I drove up to Louisville today to see the ruins of the house myself. One of the second floor dormers was still visible.

That any of the house remains is a testament to the hard work done by the Louisville Fire Department and firefighters from all over Jefferson County.

Crystal Lake, Irwin County: July, 1940

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Pavilion

These snapshots were made by Frances Trammell McCormick in July 1940. The image quality is not the best, but they give you an idea of how popular this place was, even before World War II. This early pavilion (above) was quite different from the two that followed. It was an open-air shelter and likely held a concession stand.

The edge of the pavilion is visible at the extreme left of this photograph, made from the lake. A small wooden structure, likely a diving platform, is also visible. There are cars parked near the shoreline.

Boaters passing a wooden slide

Water skier

A couple walking on the beach, with the slide visible to the left

William Hardeman Paulk House, Irwin County

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This huge Folk Victorian was located at the corner of Orchid and Violet Roads, off the Lax Highway. The photographs date to 2001 and the house was gone before 2008, I believe. I hope to re-scan the originals one day. Thanks to Debbie Paulk Mixon, granddaughter of W. H. Paulk, for the identification. William Hardeman “Hard” Paulk was born in 1880 and died at the age of 100 in 1980.

Single-Pen Tenant House, Ben Hill County

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This simple vernacular farmhouse was located on Morning Glory Road. The photograph dates to 2002 and the house was razed not long after.

New Valley Grove Baptist Church, Irwin County

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This photograph dates to 2000. The church, located off Five Bridge Road, was razed by 2007. There is still a cemetery at the site.

Griffin Farmhouse, Irwin County

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This farmhouse was a landmark on Old Valley Grove Church Road. The photograph dates to 1996 and the house was razed by 2007. Owned by Otto Griner, it was home for many years to the Roberts and Griffin families.

Tindol Hotel, 1920s, Pembroke

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Thanks to Jan Deal Hendrix for her assistance with identifying this property, and many others in Pembroke. The Tindol family owned the hotel until the mid-1990s. Jan recalls that Mrs. Tindol lived here with her daughter Agnes, who had a beauty shop in downtown Pembroke.

Update: Pembroke’s director of economic and downtown development, Fernanda Camacho Hauser, writes that the Tindol was demolished in October 2023 due to severe structural issues.

Pembroke Historic District, National Register of Historic Places