In the historically African-American communities that dominate the coastal region, utilitarian vernacular forms, such as this gable front example, are the rule.
Tag Archives: –CAMDEN COUNTY GA–
Brown’s Chapel A. M. E. Church, Tarboro
Like the other Tarboro churches, this one has a White Oak address due to the post office location. This congregation was established on 7 July 1900 by Reverend T. N. M. Smith, Reverend S. W. Wood, and L. Fatio; the present structure was dedicated in 1979 and has been remodeled since.
Filed under --CAMDEN COUNTY GA--, Tarboro GA
Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Tarboro
From dates on the cornerstones, I understand that this congregation was originally organized as the First Baptist Church in 1899, with Reverend J. Delk serving as first pastor. Dates also indicate that the congregation changed its name to Oak Grove Missionary Baptist around 1947. The present remodel likely dates to 1991, when a new cornerstone was placed. (Though the church has a White Oak address, it’s located in Tarboro. There’s no post office in Tarboro).
Filed under --CAMDEN COUNTY GA--, Tarboro GA
Bachlott-Peeples-Merrow House, Circa 1890, St. Marys
This is now the office for Cumberland Island National Seashore.
St. Marys Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Filed under --CAMDEN COUNTY GA--, St. Marys GA
Arnow House, Circa 1834, St. Marys
This house was constructed by Joseph Sabastion Montiano of St. Augustine. Subsequent owners have been the Arnows, Millers, McClendons, Calhouns, and Registers.
St. Marys Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Filed under --CAMDEN COUNTY GA--, St. Marys GA
Orange Hall, Circa 1830, St. Marys
Though the specific date for construction has been lost, Orange Hall is believed to have had its origins as a much smaller structure (possibly incorporated into the present one) in the late 1820s. [I’m only using the 1830 date because that’s the present “accepted date” settled on by St. Marys. As a matter of full disclosure, I don’t believe it can be accurately assigned]. It was named for the sour orange trees which were once planted around the lawn. Oral tradition suggests it was built for Jane Wood Pratt (first wife of the Reverend Horace Pratt), by her father, John Wood. Mr. Wood was a Loyalist who fled Savannah during the Revolution and likely began building the house upon his return to America, circa 1826. John Wood and his daughter both died in 1829, which is why the date for the house is fixed around the time, according to research completed in 1973 for the nomination of the property to the National Register of Historic Places. The key to the history of the house as it is known today, however, can be traced to its purchase by James Smith from the Pratt estate in 1846. By 1856 when Smith sold it to Francis Adams, its tax value had risen sharply, indicating improvements which likely gave Orange Hall its present appearance.
One other note of historical significance: the house is said to have been the headquarters of the 9th Maine Regiment during raids in the area in early 1863. A regimental history of Company H of the 9th Maine by Lieutenant Aaron H. Chase mentions St. Marys but not Orange Hall. As many of the raids in this area were clandestine in nature, it is unclear what role the house actually played in these exercises. Like the date of the house, this bears further research.
Orange Hall is now a house museum and event space.
National Register of Historic Places
Filed under --CAMDEN COUNTY GA--, St. Marys GA