Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Every Now and Then was a column featuring a little piece of Douglas County history Douglasville Patch ran every week, beginning when we launched, more than a year ago. The articles were always well received and we've decided to revive them.
Editor's note: Lisa Cooper's newest work can be found at douglascountyhistory.blogspot.com. Over the past three weeks I’ve taken a look at the New South philosophy that our town fathers adhered to as they developed Douglasville. I first focused on the railroad here and here, and last week I provided a few details about Joseph S. James, Douglasville’s first mayor and the number one cheerleader for New South ideals, here. The Georgia General Assembly approved Douglasville as our county seat about the same time New South ideals were gaining momentum across the South, so business and political leaders had a unique opportunity to set up each facet of the town to fit the New South image. The main commercial district was positioned to run …
Monday, August 29, 2011
Farmers and Merchants Bank was once there, and many people remember Douglasville Printing Company being in the building.
You can’t help but notice the building if you get caught by the red light at the intersection of Campbellton and Broad Streets in downtown Douglasville. The tile work showcasing the business name, the little architectural flourishes that make the building so unique and the exquisite round and fan windows all boasting imported German glass takes you back to another time. I’m speaking of the beautiful Farmers and Merchants Bank building, of course. The location happens to be the original home to the second bank organized in Douglasville. As the South moved from Reconstruction into the New South era there was a sudden spike in the number of applications for new national banking charters by business men who had taken over as the new leading …
Monday, August 8, 2011
Prior to the Civil War and for years afterwood cotton was the major ingredient to the southern economy.
Over the past three weeks I’ve taken a look at the New South philosophy that our town fathers adhered to as they developed Douglasville. I first focused on the railroad here and here, and last week I provided a few details about Joseph S. James, Douglasville’s first mayor and the number one cheerleader for New South ideals, here. The Georgia General Assembly approved Douglasville as our county seat about the same time New South ideals were gaining momentum across the South, so business and political leaders had a unique opportunity to set up each facet of the town to fit the New South image. The main commercial district was positioned to run parallel along the railroad track so that it could be seen by travelers who might be looking to …
Monday, August 1, 2011
The City of Douglasville’s walking tour brochure correctly refers to Joseph S. James as Douglasville’s prominent booster and visionary, but I have to wonder–have we let him down?
My last two columns here and here have mentioned the New South philosophy that built Douglasville. Town leaders knew that the railroad was the key to revitalizing the economy in this area after the Civil War as well as insuring the survival of their brand new town. Another part of the philosophy was the development of cotton-related industry and support businesses in the commercial district. If the term “New South” is new to you I encourage you read the previous columns I link to above as well as my article, New South: Railroads and Mill Towns at History Is Elementary. The website for the City of Douglasville describes our town as an outstanding example of a turn-of-the-century railroad town." Douglasville's Main Street Manager, Stephanie…
Sandra Barber Rabern
8:10 pm on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
I worked in the mill there in Douglasville for a few years in the seventies.My Daddy worked there for many years.I would go upstairs to see him sometimes and I remember how shiny those oil floors were.My Daddy was a fixer there and I think he enjoyed his work,mainly because he had lots of friends that he had made through the years.His co-workers called him "Barber",this being his last name.He was… more ›