There’s a nice variety of commercial architecture in downtown Thomaston. I’m really surprised the downtown historic district isn’t on the National Register.
As in most Georgia towns today, restaurants and thrift shops are the norm.
Category Archives: –UPSON COUNTY GA–
Auchumpkee Creek Covered Bridge, 1892, Upson County
Originally known as the Zorn’s Mill or Hootenville Bridge, this historic 96-foot covered bridge was built in 1892 by the firm of Herring & Alford at a cost of $1,199. Dr. Herring was a well-known bridge builder in central Georgia until his death in 1911. After years of being in disrepair, it was reconstructed in 1985.
National Register of Historic Places
Filed under --UPSON COUNTY GA--
Dr. David Lane Kendall, Pioneer Georgia Physician
Driving into Yatesville, this headstone caught my attention, but I figured it would be like so many others I’ve found: a small family plot long forgotten by the passage of time. And though that was true to some extent, what I learned about the man who was buried here was quite fascinating. It turns out that this was the cemetery of Bellwood Hall, an early plantation owned by one of Georgia’s earliest rural physicians, Dr. David Lane Kendall, Sr. (17 January 1790-28 July 1860) Dr. Kendall was born in Washington County in 1790 and moved to Upson County in 1830 where he built Bellwood, a grand plantation house complete with formal gardens. It was destroyed by fire sometime in the late 1800s, but thanks to the foresight of his daughter, Loula, much of its history survives in special collections at Emory University.
Filed under --UPSON COUNTY GA--
A. D. Wiliams’s Lighthouse, Upson County
From Anne McDaniel, here’s a history of this curious landmark: “Mr. A. D. Williams was a peach farmer. We think he was the first peach farmer to ship peaches out of Georgia. He had no children and the people who worked for him were treated like family. He built a dance pavilion in the middle of the lake across from his home and once or twice a month would have picnics for the workers and they would dance until the wee hours. He enjoyed bowling and he had a two Lane bowling alley in his basement.
In the back of his home were formal gardens which was his life’s passion. There was an open fireplace there. There is a glass peach mounted on it. The city of Yatesville recently tried to buy the peach but the family would not sell it to them. On the side of his house he built a small pond where the lighthouse was built. It was on the side of a huge playground and a three hole golf course. The lighthouse was built as a novelty for people to enjoy. He provided entertainment for not only his guests but their children. When he died, the house and all the property was left to a nephew and they moved from Florida to Yatesville. His daughter, Lisa Williams, won the Georgia Junior Miss title. They sold the house to a family and the property and the house is in complete disrepair. Such a shame that this once grand place is in such a mess.”
Filed under --UPSON COUNTY GA--, Yatesville GA
Herron’s Grocery, Yatesville
This local landmark has been closed for many years.
Filed under --UPSON COUNTY GA--, Yatesville GA
John’s Cross Factory, Yatesville
In front of this converted old store are white wooden crosses, left outside and given freely to those who want to display them as symbols of their faith.
Filed under --UPSON COUNTY GA--, Yatesville GA
Sanders House, Yatesville
I believe this was built around the turn of the last century and was once used as a hotel or boarding house.
Filed under --UPSON COUNTY GA--, Yatesville GA
Yatesville United Methodist Church, 1919, Upson County
Established as Friendship Methodist Church in 1853, the first home to this congregation was a simple frame structure. A more formal structure was constructed in 1885. It was razed and the present structure built in 1919.
Filed under --UPSON COUNTY GA--, Yatesville GA
Yatesville Baptist Church
This congregation dates to 20 September 1896, though I’m unsure when the present building was constructed. It’s a nice style, somewhat unusual in Georgia.
Filed under --UPSON COUNTY GA--, Yatesville GA
