Old Country Store (then and now)

[Digital]

Grist Mill (#3)



This story is rapidly coming together. When I got home this afternoon, I discovered an email from the grandson. He gave me further information about his grandparents. He also identified the structure directly behind the store as the Grist Mill(pictured above). I had just returned home from taking this photo when I received his email. A side note: mentioned in last night's post that I was planning to photograph this structure on Saturday. I learned today that it may rain, so I thought I would take the photo today.
I plan to email him back later this evening, and ask him further questions that I have. Will pass them on to you faithful readers (including Mike) when I receive them. I had planned to talk via phone to the grandson to gather information; however I think email is better since the information is recorded, other than in my brain (which on occasion malfunctions).

Bruce ("Excellent" Sleuth)

[Digital]

Photo of Grist Mill in relation to Store (#4)


In this photo you can see the Grist Mill in relation to the store. If you look closely, you can see a small cinder block building directly behind the store, and to the left of the Grist Mill. This is the actual Ice House. Your "Excellent Sleuth" did not see the actual Ice House when he photographed what he THOUGHT was the Ice House. This boo-boo was not discovered until I examined the above photo more closely, and discovered the cinder block building (actual Ice House), and read the grandson's email again.
He described the Ice House as a small structure. In relation to the Ice House, the Grist Mill is not small.
I hoped I have explained everything clearly. My brain can not take this. This is all so confusing.
On a more positive note, I have emailed the grandson thanking him for his initial response, and asking him some more questions about the store's history. I am awaiting his response.

Bruce (ex-"Excellent" Sleuth)

[IzzieK]

Very interesting read with your commentaries and images. Is that road a sort of a usual road where people and vehicles passes by everyday? What was the purpose of 'fixing' that building? I googled Grist Mill, what it means. Tell us more...

[Digital]

Very interesting read with your commentaries and images. Is that road a sort of a usual road where people and vehicles passes by everyday? What was the purpose of 'fixing' that building? I googled Grist Mill, what it means. Tell us more...

Izzie, thanks for commenting. To answer your questions, the road you see is just an ordinary road. From my vantage point, I was beside my truck when I made the second photo, I was in a church's parking lot. The road is pretty well traveled.
The question of why the building was renovated is a question that I posed to the grandson yesterday in my email to him. (I have not heard from him since I emailed him). On Thursday evening when I talked to his wife, she indicated to me why the repairs were made; however I want to get a response from her husband before sharing this information with CiC. A grist mill is where corn is ground to make cornmeal.
Today, I am going out to the old store (without my camera) to see if I can get in front of the Ice House to take a decent photo.
I plan to take my trekking poles (use to be a hiker) since I have difficulty ambulating, especially in rough terrain. It looks like it may rain.
Will keep you all posted.

Bruce (ex-Sleuth)

[Digital]

Well, I did my scouting of the Ice House. I only used one of my trekking poles, and am happy to announce it still functions. What you see in the second photograph is the side of the Ice House. The front of the ice house faces the road you see in the photo. I was unable to access the front due to too much rubbish; however by traversing between the back of the old country store, and the side of the ice house, I believe I found a vantage point for a photo of what it looks like up close.
When I was in the back of the ice house, I discovered two structures a little distance away. They were surrounded by trees, and weeds. They were to my right, and left as you view them from the back of the ice house. I believe I know what the structure to my left was: however I do not want to say without confirmation. Directly behind this structure was another building. It appeared smaller in size than the structure in front. I have no idea what this structure was used for. However I plan to find out.
I need to explain something about the layout of the land where the old country store is located. It is on the N.E. corner of two intersecting roads. The road you see in the photo runs beside the store, as you can see. There is another road running north to south directly in front of the store-I have not photographed this road in relation to the store; however I plan to. This road (two lanes) takes you to Temple, Ga. about 8 miles north of Carrollton. It is well traveled.
Now, as you face the front of the store, the structure (that I think I can identify) is to my left. The structure (that I can not identify) is directly behind the first structure from this vantage point. You fellow sleuths out there, can probably guess what the first structure was used for. I can tell you this, this building has not been used for its intended purpose in a long time.
When I left, instead of turning left to go back to Carrollton, I turned right towards Temple. I wanted to see the front of this building. I could barely see it. It should be noted that I use to travel this road to Temple a lot-for awhile almost daily. I have never seen this building until today.
I still have not heard from the grandson- will keep you informed.

Bruce (reinstated Sleuth)

[Digital]

Grist Mill (another view) #5

In photo #5 you will see a small portion of the Ice House directly to the left of the Grist Mill. As you can see, the front is overgrown with bushes. In fact the bushes almost completely obscure the front entrance to the ice house. Besides the bushes, there is a stack of old lumber (not shown) that blocks the entrance to the Ice House.

Bruce (Sleuth)

[IzzieK]

'Wish I was with you when you inspected that property...I am getting more curious-er and curious-er...but the only time we went to Georgia was when Bill was invited to build a chook house at the back of his friend's property. I was a tag-along. Strange place, Georgia...the part of a road where Bill's friend lives has a castle at the end (private property but still in use...as a residence.) The side of his street are all poshed properties. Across the road where we parked our cars, (Yes, they park their car on the street too...) you can see the YUGE! difference -- poverty like almost a third world country and all blacks living there, but they are all nice people, would you believe? They greeted you like an Aussie would on a regular day, saying good morning or how are you, etc. The hotel we stayed in about 3 or 4 blocks away was fenced in but there are big holes on them on strategic sides. On the way to Bill's friend house, supermarkets and stores all have iron structures at the front of doors and windows. May be it is a different culture...I am telling you this because that was when I decided I am going to be a semi-sleuth too... I question everything, looked at two sides of the why...and I am waffling again like an old woman...sorry.

I will await the next installment of your sleuth-ing.

[Mike Buckley]

I was traveling while Super Sleuth was wearing out his gumshoes. Now that I am back home, I look forward to following the thread with normal frequency.

I have really bad luck when it comes to thinking.

I'm gonna try that comment on my wife the next time she questions my cerebral capabilities. Wish me luck.

We're hanging in there to...find out 'who done it'!

The whole thing about portable backgrounds has clearly got Donald all flustered. The point of the thread isn't so much about who done it; it's about why they done it.

[Digital]

Old Country House #6


This photo probably will not come as surprise to you. This is the structure (if you can see it) to the left of the old country store.
I need to find out who lived in it, for how long, and how long has it been without residents. I have a lot more digging to do.

Mailbox #7


This is the mailbox that set in front of the old house. If you look closely at it, it has a caution tape wrapped around the pole supporting it. The tape is probably there to warn photographers from taking pictures of the mailbox-it did not work
The road to the left of the mailbox is looking north towards Temple.

Well (?) #8


I believe this is an old well. If you look closely at the photo, there is an concrete cap covering it. This well is just to the right of the old house very close to the road to Temple. From where this photo was taken, the road to Temple was just to my left.

Old Country Store (another view) #9


This is a view of the other side of the store. As you can see this side appears to be unfinished.

[Digital]

The above photos were not taken in the best of light; however I was afraid that if I waited to the "Golden Hour" the light would not be suitable for hand held. Although I did take a monopod I did not use it.
In case you are wondering, I have not (as of this writing) heard from the grandson. I hope my last email to him did not deter him from giving more information. Since it is the weekend, I will give him more time. I do not think I mentioned this to you all: gave him this website link so he could view the website as a whole, and this thread in particular. One of the purposes of doing this was to resolve any doubt he may have had about me, and what I was attempting to do. To his credit he gave me - a total stranger - information about his family. This I was grateful for. He is a valuable source, and I do not want to discourage him from giving me more information about the store, and his family.
This brings up a wider perspective of why I am doing this. When places like this store close their doors for business, for whatever reason, we lose a part of our culture, and a way of life that in all likelihood will never be regained . I realize I am writing this from the perspective of a senior citizen, and maybe that is what keeps me following this story.
Enough of the soapbox.

Bruce (Sleuth)

[Digital]

I was traveling while Super Sleuth was wearing out his gumshoes. Now that I am back home, I look forward to following the thread with normal frequency.



I'm gonna try that comment on my wife the next time she questions my cerebral capabilities. Wish me luck.



The whole thing about portable backgrounds has clearly got Donald all flustered. The point of the thread isn't so much about who done it; it's about why they done it.

Mike, thanks for your comments. I do wish you luck with your wife - you are going to need it.

[IzzieK]

I read your response yesterday with great enthusiasm for what ensues during your sleuthing but I was just so darn busy, I can't sign in. Your shots are interesting coupled with your commentary. If these people you are in contact will read the exchanges here, perhaps they will have contacted you by now? If not, what will you do? --Maybe go to the newspaper and submit your photos and ask the public about it. Somewhere, someone, might know some answers to your question...just as suggestion, what do you think?

[Donald]

This brings up a wider perspective of why I am doing this. When places like this store close their doors for business, for whatever reason, we lose a part of our culture, and a way of life that in all likelihood will never be regained .

That is so true. In our village we have, at various times, had campaigns and community buy-out efforts to save both our village shop and the one hotel/bar that was (we lost that one) in our community.

In rural communities like ours, these sorts of places take on an importance that is way beyond just their everyday function. They become the hubs of the community and important social centres. And like you say, Bruce, once they're gone, you don't get them back.

[Digital]

I read your response yesterday with great enthusiasm for what ensues during your sleuthing but I was just so darn busy, I can't sign in. Your shots are interesting coupled with your commentary. If these people you are in contact will read the exchanges here, perhaps they will have contacted you by now? If not, what will you do? --Maybe go to the newspaper and submit your photos and ask the public about it. Somewhere, someone, might know some answers to your question...just as suggestion, what do you think?

Izzie, I talked to the grandson's brother-in-law (remember Ralph) today. I told him I had emailed the grandson. Ralph believes the grandson will get back in touch with me. Yesterday, I emailed the grandson, attached was a photo of the old country house.
Ralph told me the house was the residence of the man, and his wife who owned, and operated the store. I will seek confirmation of this from a second source; however I believe this information is accurate.
Quite unexpectedly today, I received a lead on another source. If, for some reason the current source (grandson) does not work out, I will pursue this other lead.
Do not worry. I am committed to get this story no matter what it takes.

Bruce (Sleuth)

[Digital]

That is so true. In our village we have, at various times, had campaigns and community buy-out efforts to save both our village shop and the one hotel/bar that was (we lost that one) in our community.

In rural communities like ours, these sorts of places take on an importance that is way beyond just their everyday function. They become the hubs of the community and important social centres. And like you say, Bruce, once they're gone, you don't get them back.

Donald, recently someone emailed me a series of pictures (I believe they may have been photos, or paintings - I believe it was photos) depicting life in the South (here in the states) of a bygone era. One of these pictures showed two men playing checkers in a country store. In this day, and time it is hard to imagine a game of checkers being played in a Kroger (large grocery chain in the states).
On a more personal note, I worked in Hazard, Ky. for 11 years. This is located in Eastern Kentucky - coal mining area. In downtown Hazard, there was a hardware store owned, and operated by two brothers (if memory serves me correctly). I remember they were both elderly- this was back in the 70's or possibly up to the mid 80's. This hardware store had everything imaginable in the way of tools, nails, screws etc. If you could not find an item, just ask of the brothers. Chances are he would locate it for you. One night a fire broke out in the business next door (I think it was a restaurant), and subsequently the fire spread to the hardware store. Unfortunately, the damage to the hardware store was quite extensive, and it never reopened. I remember thinking to myself that we had not only lost a hardware store, we lost part of the culture in that area.
I believe (at whatever forum) that the story of this old country store (and others like it) need to be told.

Bruce

[IzzieK]

I will await for your next sleuthing results enthusiastically. Thank you for the further update...

[Donald]

I believe (at whatever forum) that the story of this old country store (and others like it) need to be told.

Absolutely. Needs to be told, but also needs to be recorded for historical reasons. History is good at capturing the big stuff (what goes on at state or federal level). It is very variable in terms of ensuring that our local, community stories are held onto for future generations. That requires local enthusiasts on the ground with sufficient interest to research and record; i.e. exactly what you are doing. Which is why I salute what you are doing. It is an invaluable contribution to history.

[tbob]

I agree. Part of the reason I photograph old barns and homesteads is to make some attempt to document them before they are gone. Since I started, in about 2009, ten out of twenty of the old structures within a thirty km radius, are gone. I have not made it further afield in the last three years due to work constraints but I hope the same ratio does not hold.

[Digital]

Izzie, thank you for hanging in there with me.

Donald, thank you so much for you kind words, and your encouragement. I really am passionate about this type of work.

Trevor, I know exactly where you are coming from. Once these structures are gone, they are gone. Since they are no longer there most people would not know that there was history to be sorted out since there is no longer a basis (evidence) that exists, that would cause people to ask questions. I almost confused myself with this sentence.

I talked to Ralph today. He related that the grandson may be camping - apparently he camps a lot. Did email Ralph today, and supplied him with the CiC web address so he would know what I am up to.

Bruce (Sleuth)

[IzzieK]

I'm still here...will wait for the next episode, like others...with others.