This type saddlebag house, with the chimney in the front slope of the roof as opposed to being located along the top seam, is more commonly found in the Piedmont region than elsewhere in the state. Surviving examples are increasingly rare.
An original workshop barn and well house remain on the property, as well.
This double-pen, or two-room cottage is a bit more “architectural” than most houses of this type, thanks to the addition of the dormer.
This is one of several historic stores in Toomsboro. The town has been “for sale” for many years and I’m not sure what the status is at this time. I plan on visiting again in the next day or so.
Toomsboro was settled around 1851 (the year it first had a post office, known then as Toomsborough). It was named for Robert Toombs, a prominent politician of the antebellum and war eras, but I have no idea why Toombs is misspelled in the town name. A mile away was Emmitt, which had a post office from 1842 – 1857, but lost most of its rail business to Toomsboro. While the history may be a bit unclear, one thing for certain is that Toomsboro today is a beautiful village, a step back in time. Nestled among gently rolling hills carved by the nearby Oconee River, the town is as well-preserved of any of its era in Georgia. Kaolin is king in this area, so if you’re photographing in Toomsboro, watch out for the trucks, which come through quite regularly.
See Athens photographer Dagmar Nelson’s wonderful black-and-white shots of the town here.
In the early 1900s, this place would have been quite busy during the cotton harvest and was as important as the local bank in the economic life of this community. As the sign notes, it was owned by B. H. Jackson.
This antebellum structure began life as a whiskey store, but for most of its history was known as the Murray Hall General Store. It’s one of the oldest standing wooden general stores in Georgia, and though it’s been closed for years, it is well-maintained.
Originally a dry goods store, and bank, this structure has been known for years as the Swampland Opera. In 1975, the late Joe Boone, Jr., started the business as a weekend venue for musicians and each Saturday until 2000, a country, gospel & bluegrass music hoedown was held here.
This house was built by Murray Hall, who owned the iconic general store in Toomsboro. Thanks to Dwayne Ussery for the historical background.
Vanishing Georgia: Photographs by Brian Brown 