Tag Archives: National Register of Historic Places

Shelly-Brazeal House, Circa 1886, Cuthbert

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This home was built for Dr. Thomas W. Shelly circa 1886. Its Victorian porch posts and railings are typical of the finer homes of the era and, in this case, have been beautifully maintained. It represents a link between the plainer forms of the early Victorian period and the more intricate ornamentation associated with the popular Queen Anne style. James F. Sealy purchased the house in 1906 and his family lived here until the late 1970s.

Cuthbert Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Clarke-McDonald House, 1880s, Cuthbert

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For well over a century a pecan tree planted on this property in 1848 was memorialized as “The Mother of Georgia’s Pecan Industry”.

A house built for Judge William Taylor in 1842 originally stood on this lot. The seed nut for the historic pecan tree was brought from Texas by Mrs. Taylor’s mother. It was given to Judge John T. Clarke in 1863 and burned sometime between 1882-1884. It was rebuilt as one-story cottage by Judge Clarke, who sold it to George McDonald (1855-1923), a former mayor of Cuthbert, in 1889. McDonald added a second floor. One of his descendants, Annette McDonald Suarez, transferred it to Andrew College in 1974 for use as the college president’s home.

Cuthbert Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Kennedy House, 1911, Cuthbert

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This structure, located on the edge of Cuthbert, has always caught my eye, and if you’ve entered the town from the east, you’ve likely noticed it. A typical central hallway cottage, it was built by Harry Kennedy in 1911. His wife, Rosa Coleman Kennedy was a seamstress. According to a tour brochure for historic Cuthbert homes, the house was one of the first in Cuthbert to have a telephone. A separate kitchen and outhouse, as well as the front porch, have been lost, but the house retains much of its historic character. It was occupied by the Kennedy family until 1953 and remains a part of the estate.

Cuthbert Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Freight Warehouse, Baconton

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Its proximity to the railroad tracks would suggest this freight warehouse benefited from a railroad connection. In the smallest towns, businesses that took advantage of this connection were often among the most profitable in their communities and employed quite a few people. A barely visible Coca-Cola mural survives on the left side of the freight door. This photo dates to 2017.

Baconton Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Historic Storefronts, Baconton

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Railroad Avenue

Like so many other towns that thrived in the railroad era, Baconton has seen its historic commercial area deteriorate over the years. A few still seem to be in use, including those shown here, and it’s always hopeful when people try to keep them viable.

Railroad Avenue at Walton Street

The commercial historic district is centered around Railroad Avenue and Walton Street and features buildings typical of small towns in the early 20th century.

Walton Street

I made these photographs in 2017 and I believe several of these buildings have been restored or at least repainted since that time. I hope to get back to Baconton soon and rephotograph them.

Baconton Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Jackson Supply Company, 1902, Baconton

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This was the first major commercial structure built on East Walton Street and is in need of immediate preservation, if it’s even salvageable at this point. Grantham Harrell writes: My great grandfather built this and grandfather worked here for years living a few hundred yards away. Robert Dickens recalls: My dad worked here when it was Baconton Hardware.

Baconton Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Baconton M. E. Church, South, 1902

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The South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church notes: Organized at Raiford, now Lester, in 1870, this church was earlier known as Shiloh. Its first wooden building, lighted by beef tallow candles placed on wooden strips around the walls, also served as a school. In 1875, the site was moved and a large log church and school building was built. “Preacher Russell” was the first pastor. In 1882, the site was moved four miles west of the 1875 site and a wooden building was erected and furnished with long benches with solid backs and lighted by oil chandeliers. In 1902, the present gothic structure was erected. A fellowship hall was added in 1967.

This church is very similar in design to the Lumber City United Methodist Church.

Walton Street-Church Street Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Sharpe House, 1920, Baconton

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Real estate listings date this house to 1920, but its Queen Anne influences make me wonder if it’s not a bit earlier. Perhaps it was one of the first houses in the Walton Street-Church Street Historic District. The Neoclassical porch design is of another architectural era than the main part of the house.

Walton Street-Church Street Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Cross Gable Cottage, 1907, Baconton

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This cross gable cottage is a good example of the emerging transitional architectural styles that came into popularity in the early 20th century, often as a response to the high style, and expense, of the Victorian aesthetic. The South Railroad Historic District is centered along the railroad tracks, just a couple of blocks from the commercial center of this once bustling community. The first decade of the 20th century was a prosperous era in Baconton and most of its houses date from this time.

South Railroad Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

George W. Jackson House, 1898, Baconton

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George Washington Jackson came with his family to Dougherty County from Wilkinson County as a young boy. At the age of ten he moved with his widowed mother and brother and sister to the Mount Enon community, several miles from Baconton. He served as a lieutenant in the Confederate army and later as a county commissioner. He had farming operations all over what is today northern Mitchell County; he built this home in 1898 to replace a log farmhouse at this location. He and his wife, Eulelia Peacock Jackson, had nine children. Numerous other families lived here throughout the 20th century.

The city of Baconton saved this important historic home and transformed it into their city hall. It’s a great example of thinking outside the box. Perhaps it will serve as inspiration for other communities to pursue non-traditional avenues of preservation.

National Register of Historic Places