Author | Lightnews

Stephanyyk @stephanyyk.bsky.social · Jul 31

Vanna, Hart County. #ruralgeorgia #ruralsouth #hartcountyga

Stephanyyk @stephanyyk.bsky.social · Jul 27

The old Hart County jail. This was the fourth jail for the county and it was built in the mid 1890s. It continued to be used as a jail through the 1980s. #hartcountyga #oldjail #jailhouse #hartwellga

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Stephanyyk @stephanyyk.bsky.social · Jul 25

But the windows and roof still look good so hopefully it has a lot of life left.#georgiachurch #ruralchurch #ruralgeorgia

Stephanyyk @stephanyyk.bsky.social · Jul 25

New Harmony Methodist. Hart County. Circa 1890. This is of the first old churches I remember visiting, years ago. We stopped by for a visit recently. There used to be a hand painted sign above the door but it’s gone now.

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Stephanyyk @stephanyyk.bsky.social · Jul 25

#colbertga #schoolhouse #georgiaschool

Stephanyyk @stephanyyk.bsky.social · Jul 25

The 1914 Colbert School. Madison County. I’m not sure how long the school was in use. By the mid 1920s another brick school was built nearby and that school was in use until the 1960s. Today the brick school is used for city offices and this 1914 one seems to used for storage.

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Stephanyyk @stephanyyk.bsky.social · Jul 22

Doorway in Royston. This is actually the back of some storefronts along Main St. The color caught my eye. #roystonga #smalltowngeorgia #archeddoorway

Stephanyyk @stephanyyk.bsky.social · Jul 22

They’ve shared photos of the store’s interior and it’s like a time capsule from 1976 - fully stocked shelves, and a calendar on the wall.#paoliga #oldstore #ruralgeorgia #madisoncountyga

Stephanyyk @stephanyyk.bsky.social · Jul 22

The current owners of the property have a Facebook page detailing their renovation of the home which is just to the right of the store, and they have hopes of preserving the store as well.

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Stephanyyk @stephanyyk.bsky.social · Jul 22

Threlkeld Grocery in Paoli. Madison County. Ran by longtime proprietors Louise and Sut Threlkeld. The store was open until 1976. This building is circa 1910.

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Stephanyyk @stephanyyk.bsky.social · Jul 21

#schoolhouseruins #ruralgeorgia #madisoncountyga

Stephanyyk @stephanyyk.bsky.social · Jul 21

Ruins of the old Harrison School. Madison County. This was a school for white children built circa 1932 in the Harrison community outside of Royston. I’m not sure when the school closed, but there is a Harrison Community Facebook page where former students share memories and photos of the school.

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Stephanyyk @stephanyyk.bsky.social · Jul 20

Their Facebook page says that they have been a Hartwell breakfast spot for over 20 years, but it seems like they’ve only been at this location for a few years. And I’m still sad I missed out on a biscuit.#hartwellga #smalltowngeorgia #biscuits #georgiarestaurant

Stephanyyk @stephanyyk.bsky.social · Jul 20

Tammy’s Biscuit Barn in Hartwell. You need to get here early if you want some biscuits. They are only open 5:30am until 11am, Monday through Saturday.

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Stephanyyk @stephanyyk.bsky.social · Jul 19

#elbertonga #jamesmhuntarchitect #1950sarchitecture #georgiaarchitect

Stephanyyk @stephanyyk.bsky.social · Jul 19

Hunt was also very active in Elbert County and Georgia politics, assisting with Jimmy Carter’s campaigns for both governor and president. James Hunt is buried in Elberton’s Elmhurst Cemetery. His papers are held at UGA’s special collections.

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Stephanyyk @stephanyyk.bsky.social · Jul 19

Hunt served in World War II then returned to Elberton to begin his architecture practice in 1948. He went on to design numerous homes, commercial buildings, and civic structures. He was eventually made an AIA Fellow, one of the highest honors an architect can receive. Mr.

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Stephanyyk @stephanyyk.bsky.social · Jul 19

The former Elbert County Health Center in Elberton. I’m used to seeing buildings in various states of deterioration, but this one really makes me sad. It was built in 1950. Designed by architect James M. Hunt (1915-1993). Mr.

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Stephanyyk @stephanyyk.bsky.social · Jul 17

#vannaga #georgiaschool #ruralgeorgia

Stephanyyk @stephanyyk.bsky.social · Jul 17

The Hartwell Sun has references to a “flourishing Vanna School” dating from 1907. The town was incorporated in 1912. I found one article that said the school continued until its students were moved to the Eagle Grove School (also now abandoned) in 1963, so it’s possible it was in use until then.

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Stephanyyk @stephanyyk.bsky.social · Jul 17

The Vanna School lunchroom. Hart County. The school is no longer, but the lunchroom remains. It’s located in what seems to be the backyard of an occupied house, so this photo from a distance was the best I could do without creeping into someone’s yard. I’m not sure when the school opened.

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Stephanyyk @stephanyyk.bsky.social · Jul 17

An old store in the community of Vanna. Hart County. #vannaga #oldstore #ruralgeorgia #ruralsouth

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Stephanyyk @stephanyyk.bsky.social · Jul 16

The Elberton 12 County Fair. The fair has been in existence for 92 years. This year’s fair will be October 16 thru the 26th. It’s called the 12 county fair because it serves 10 Georgia counties plus two counties in South Carolina. #elbertonga #countyfair #fairgrounds

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Stephanyyk @stephanyyk.bsky.social · Jul 15

The archives at UGA hold church records for Rock Branch dating back to 1845, so the congregation has been around for at least that long. This building is circa 1904.#georgiachurch #ruralgeorgia #elbertcountyga

Stephanyyk @stephanyyk.bsky.social · Jul 15

Rock Branch Baptist. Elbert County. This is one of the older church buildings. There is still an active Rock Branch congregation in a new building about a mile away.

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