Old Country Store (then and now)

[Stagecoach]

Thank you all for responding to my inquiry. I have heard of Google Earth; however I am not very familiar with it.
The location of the building is on the northeast corner of Highway 113, and McKenzie Bridge Road just outside of Carrollton, Georgia 30117. I hope this helps.


Bruce

That information makes it too easy for us





Isn't technology great

[Digital]

This morning I ventured over to the Carroll Co. Clerk's office again. This time the clerk did not ask for the store's name and/or address.
She showed me where to start my search. Since I had the name of Mr. Caldwell, and an approximate date of where to start I began my quest.
If I am reading these deeds correctly (since I am not an attorney), a Mr. Caldwell was the "Grantor" in both of the transactions I located. Well, your dumb sleuth mixed up the terms "Grantor" (seller), and "Grantee" (buyer). In other words I should have been searching the books that had information on land that Mr. Caldwell purchased, not sold. In any case, I found one transaction in July, 1922 where a Mr. Caldwell sold some land to a bank. I thought that banks sold land to individuals (such as in a foreclosure), not the other way around. In any case I am pretty sure I have the right Caldwell since his two initials matched to the ones I have located in my research.
In short, I need to take another trip to the Carroll Co. Clerk's office. This trip will not be so bad since I am now know the first name of the nice clerk who assisted me today. This time I will search the "Grantee" records.
Also to make sure that I have located the correct deed(s), I will match the lot, and district numbers assigned to the deed(s) to the lot/district numbers from the information I found on the property tax records.
Later, in response to a phone message from my contact at the University of West Georgia's history department, I contacted my source there. She informed me that a graduate student had indeed been researching the Caldwell store; however this student had dropped out of their graduate studies before finishing their degree, and the research paper- this is beginning to sound like a bad mystery novel. I did not ask for the student's name since the school is bound by laws of confidentiality. A while later I had a brainstorm - I get these at times when my brain, for some reason, decides to function. Suppose I gave my contact information to my source at the college, and see if she would contact the said student, and request that he/she contact me. I really want to talk to that student.
Lastly, I met with an old friend (at the bar at Applebee's Restaurant, where I was consoling myself with a sweet tea. After today I may change to a much stronger drink), whose advice I value a lot. Filled him in on my exploits. He offered some good leads that hopefully I will follow up on tomorrow.
Will keep you posted.

Bruce ("Ex-Ex" Sleuth)

[Digital]

Grahame, thanks for responding. Is it possible you can convert the metric to US standards, I believe a meter is 39 inches; however my math is shaky at best.


Bruce

[Mike Buckley]

Bruce,

You could use this website for lots and lots of conversions. It indicates that 8.78 meters is 28.8 feet. It also indicates that 0.8 feet is 9.6 inches (without you having to do the math).

[Mike Buckley]

Mr. Caldwell sold some land to a bank. I thought that banks sold land to individuals (such as in a foreclosure), not the other way around.

Assume you own a building on Main Street and that a bank wants to buy it so they can open up a branch in it without having to lease the space. If the bank offers you enough money, you're gonna sell it to them.

[Stagecoach]

Grahame, thanks for responding. Is it possible you can convert the metric to US standards, I believe a meter is 39 inches; however my math is shaky at best.


Bruce

Of course Bruce, these are estimated building size not including the overhang of the trimdeck roofing.

Length : 8.78 m = 28 ft 9 inches

Width : 5.0 m = 16 ft 5 inches

[Digital]

Here is a quick update: contacted the History Department at the University of West Georgia today. My contact there will attempt to contact the graduate student, who dropped out of the program. If she is able to reach this person, she will give said person my contact information, and will request they email and/or phone me.

Worked on a couple more leads- one lead had a grandmother who owned a store; however it was not in the location I am seeking information about.
Another lead supplied me with the name of a person who lives on the road (McKenzie Bridge Road) that runs besides the "object" store. Will attempt to follow up on this lead tomorrow.

A BIG thanks to all who responded to my inquiry about the dimensions of the Caldwell store. There is a method to my madness-even though I am mad, I do have a method. In the very near future I will reveal why I asked about the dimensions of the store.

Bruce ("Recovering" Sleuth)

[Digital]

I have a confession to reveal: I did not attempt to contact the source, who lives on McKenzie Bridge Road today. I stated in post #147 that I would. However, hopefully to make up for my transgression, I am going to reveal the following: I have been studying, very closely I might add, the Carroll Co. Tax office information regarding the land that the old Caldwell store sits on.
This is what I discovered. There are two photos attached to this particular website- one of the old Caldwell residence, and one of the store. Both photos are time stamped - 2/1/16. The photo taken on 2/1/16 of the old store clearly indicated the repairs that had been made to the store, at least the roof. The photographer was to the left (as you face the store), and as a result the Coca-Cola advertisement was not shown. One can conclude the repairs were made on or before 2/1/16. Om closer examination of the tax website, the information revealed (in tax language jargon) that the repairs were made in 2015.
As stated in previous posts, in all appearances the repairs were made to preserve the building, and for that reason only. Although this information contradicts information given by what I consider two reliable sources, it is a "possibility" that the decision maker that initiated these repairs changed his/her mind at some point in time. The fact of Ian's analysis (refer to post #116) coupled with the fact that the left side, and rear of the building was not repaired has led me to this conclusion. This conclusion was also backed up by two other sources.
The website (I believe this was mentioned in an earlier post) also indicated that the Caldwell residence was built in 1934.
I have concluded from the information on this website that for tax purposes the old country grocery is now called a "utility building/shed". The dimensions of this structure are given as 22x30. I admit being an obsessive compulsive type (OCD) at times. This is why I wanted independent verification of the dimensions so I involved you guys/gals. All who responded were close to what the tax people related on their website. I wanted to make sure that I was gathering information on the store, and not some structure that I had yet to come across. Please forgive my compulsiveness - I do not suffer from insanity, the fact is that I enjoy my insanity everyday.
You all may wonder what I am leading up to, or not leading up to, or whatever. The one item that the Carroll Co. Tax office revealed, and to me became the most significant piece of information I have gathered since starting this thread was the year that this "utility building/shed" or what was the old country store was built-1920.
This date has given me parameters of when this store opened - I am not saying that it was opened in 1920. However it gives me a time frame to find out when it did open. I am pretty sure the store closed in the 1970's. It is my belief that finding the date of when it did open will be much harder than when it ceased operation because so much time has lapsed since it became operational.
My source for most of what was written in this post is the Carroll Co. Tax office. I also want to give another thanks to the source who first put me on to the Carroll Co. Tax office's website in the first place. You know who you are.

I do want to mention that, in response to a query made on their website, that the Carroll Co. Historical Society does not have any information on a store at that location. They did relate that they would keep looking.
It is kind of ironic that I have easily found more information on the Caldwell family than the store. What is more ironic is that the history of the store is what this thread is about, and getting information about it is like trying to get gold out of Fort Knox.
Along this same line, one of my "operatives" today told me that she has not learned anything; however, much to her credit, she will keep looking.

Bruce ("Reinstated again" Sleuth)

[Mike Buckley]

in all appearances the repairs were made to preserve the building, and for that reason only.

Keep in mind that painting the Coca Cola sign didn't do anything to preserve the building.

[Digital]

Keep in mind that painting the Coca Cola sign didn't do anything to preserve the building.

Mike, I totally agree. I believe that, as stated by a friend of mine whose background was in advertising, that the family "may" have been compensated for allowing Coca-Cola to repaint their advertisement on the structure. To take it one step further, it may be that Coca-Cola paid for the repairs to the building in order to reestablish a "mechanism" to advertise their product. I am speculating at this point on what actually happened - does the chicken come before the egg?
I do know two things: that in this part of the country Coca-Cola is a big thing, and Highway 113 from Carrollton to Temple, although a two lane road, is very well traveled.
This thing with the signage needs further investigation; however like everything else concerning this store, information, as you have read, is very hard to come by.
I will contact my source(s) that told me that the building was repaired just to keep it standing, and pose the question about why the Coca-Cola sign was repainted.
Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

Bruce

[Cantab]

Mike, I totally agree. I believe that, as stated by a friend of mine whose background was in advertising, that the family "may" have been compensated for allowing Coca-Cola to repaint their advertisement on the structure. To take it one step further, it may be that Coca-Cola paid for the repairs to the building in order to reestablish a "mechanism" to advertise their product. I am speculating at this point on what actually happened - does the chicken come before the egg?
I do know two things: that in this part of the country Coca-Cola is a big thing, and Highway 113 from Carrollton to Temple, although a two lane road, is very well traveled.
This thing with the signage needs further investigation; however like everything else concerning this store, information, as you have read, is very hard to come by.
I will contact my source(s) that told me that the building was repaired just to keep it standing, and pose the question about why the Coca-Cola sign was repainted.
Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

Bruce

Bruce, first of all, I've thoroughly enjoyed reading your posts in this thread.

It's just dawned on me to ask whether it might be worth taking the bull by the horns and contacting the marketing department at the Coca-Cola Company– and ask them why this old sign on a derelict building was suddenly repainted. It's very much a long shot but there wouldn't be a lot to lose by doing so.

I had a look at the Coca-Cola corporate webpage: http://http://www.coca-colacompany.com/our-company and saw that there is an image of an old advertising mural which they've recently repainted!

[Dave Humphries]

I was wondering whether the location of the sign benefits from 'grandfather rights'?
IOW you can't put up a new sign or hoarding due to planning restrictions, but maintaining an existing one is OK.

If you do contact Coca Cola marketing department Bruce, I wouldn't describe it as "this old sign on a derelict building" as that probably won't do the current owners any favours.

[Mike Buckley]

I think Bruce (Cantab) is probably onto something. The piece he posted includes a link to this piece explaining that many old murals are being renovated by Coca Cola in southern areas of America.

[joebranko]

Amazing job! You certainly exhibit the ' sticktoitivness' required for journalism!

[Digital]

I want to thank all of you people (Mike, the other Bruce, Dave, and Joe) for your suggestions, and very kind comments. Because of your suggestions, I will attempt to reach the marketing department at Coca-Cola, and ask about what their policy is on repainting the Coca-Cola advertisement on structures such as mom & pop stores. What I hope to find out is whether the store owner initiates the request or whether the Coca-Cola company sees a need, and they in turn make the first move. Maybe it can be initiated both ways. In regards to Dave's comment about not mentioning to the Coke-Cola company that it is a "derelict" store, I will attempt to refrain from such adjective, or anything similar to it for that matter.
I did call my source that told me that the store was renovated (so to speak), for the purpose of keeping it from falling down. When the question was posed about why the sign was repainted, he related that they wanted to make it look like an old store.
I would have pressed on, asking him further questions; however he did not seem to eager to talk to me- maybe I was "reading" him wrong. In any case, I seem to get that a lot lately.
Also, I contacted a source that I was planning to contact yesterday. I got a recording. Left a message for someone to return my call. I did not say what the call was about. So far, I have not heard anything. I could digress on why I think that my call was not returned; however it would be pure speculation.

To Joe's comment, I have never had a journalism class. My career was in another field all together, although my career called for really good people skills. It is a possible that if I had at least Journalism 101, I would have concluded this thread along time ago. It is my stubbornness, and you guys/gals that encourage me that keeps me pressing on. In addition, I hope that I can at least allow this store to tell its story because one day it will no longer exist, and even the memories of this store will slowly fade away. This is one of the reasons that I believe I have had such a hard time finding information- a lot of the main principals are now deceased, and they have taken the story of this old country store with them.

Bruce ("Sleuth")

[Digital]

Quick update: using the link that Bruce (Cantab) so graciously supplied, I emailed the Coca-Cola company requesting information on their policy about repainting their advertisement on old country stores. Specifically I asked who initiates the action (owner or company) or is it a two way street. Also, I asked whether the store owner can hire someone not connected to the Coca-Cola company to repaint the sign. Finally, I requested any other information that they could supply me with.
As soon as I hear something from them, I will convey this information to you all.

Bruce (Sleuth)

[Digital]

On Friday I received an email from the Coca-Cola company. The representative who responded to my query, apparently misunderstood my question. I was informed that if I wish to apply for a Coca-Cola advertisement, I should file for an application.
Will email them again asking what their company's policy is in regards to repainting faded Coca-Cola's advertisements on stores where I am not the said owner of said store, and in no way am I going to be the potential owner of said store. In addition, I want to know what party initiates the action or does it matter.

This coming week, my plans are to re-visit the Carroll Co. Clerk's office to look through the "Grantee" (buyer) books starting circa (around) 1920, and visit the Carroll Co. Library to begin looking through the Times-Georgian archives, also starting circa 1920. Regarding the clerk's office, I can match the district/lot number cited on the property tax records with any deed I may locate at the clerk's office. This will assure I have found the correct deed for the land the store is located on.

Remember Ralph? He is my pool playing friend at the Carrollton Senior Citizens Center. His sister is married to one of the Caldwell's grandsons. I sent the two photos of the Caldwell store (refer to photos #1, #2) to this particular grandson, He emailed me back, and (this is something that I do not believe I have revealed to you) gave me some history of the store, especially about some of his grandparent's activities at the time the store was in operation. I purposefully did not give you this information since I wanted to give you all, for the most part, a comprehensive history of the Caldwell store all at once. Not in bits, and pieces. I emailed him back asking general question (e.g. when did the store open?). I never received a response. It was a short time later that Ralph (incidentally, not his real name), had some medical issues in his family. As a result I decided, for obvious reasons, not to seek information from him until the health issues were resolved. Shortly after this, the grandson had health issues in his family.
I may be repeating myself from earlier posts; however in a round about way I want to let you know that I have not forgotten or abandoned the idea that this path, although closed for now, may come open the future. If so, I have devised a plan on how to approach the grandson, using Ralph as an intermediary. This approach, with Ralph as the go -between, has a lot more positives than negatives.

Finally, this thread needs some additional photos, supplied by yours truly. You will know what they are, when I present them on this thread.

Bruce (Sleuth)

[Donald]

On Friday I received an email from the Coca-Cola company. The representative who responded to my query, apparently misunderstood my question. I was informed that if I wish to apply for a Coca-Cola advertisement, I should file for an application.

That rings so many bells with experiences I've had. It must be the corporate training programme they send them on.

[gregj1763]

Stay the path Bruce the sleuth, you're getting closer and entertaining us all

[Mike Buckley]

Consider using a different approach with Coca Cola. I recommend explaining that the building and newly repainted advertisement are being discussed with great interest in a worldwide forum. Ask them for anything they know about the history of the advertisement on the side of the building, the building itself, its owners, etc., etc. Ask them for anything they know about how the newly painted advertisement came to be, who they hired to paint it, when it was painted, why it was painted without the rest of the building being painted, etc., etc. Ask them for contact information about the painter they hired and their contact relating to the building. Advise them that if policy prevents them from providing that information, ask them to pass along your contact information to those people with the hope that they will reach out to you.