I Don't Think This Is a Smashing Visual Success - Do You?

To my eye it's interesting visual clutter, not my style. So on this gray Sunday morning I saw it on foot, walked all the way around. <br /><br />They tore down the <a href="http://architecturetourist.blogspot.com/2013/02/de-marbling-im-pei-on-ponce-and-baring.html">I. M. Pei designed Gulf Oil Building</a>. In fact they tore down the whole block except for <a href="http://www.stpaulsatlanta.com/">St. Paul's Presbyterian</a> to build <a href="http://www.live131ponce.com/">131 PONCE Apartment Homes</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgjur5iOXPhr3rTLLfCWvuaslX8qAWo20SIE0D8HG1vqir8JvdLyf90FJ43YaYSbE0z5n1CquBT-4Iqmk3YZdXiAoIyaGfG4wVl8dwhMpwA0a2eiLO7ec8RkoK26TLMUBA4j3M-pdRH9y/s1600/15942094618_e638b85f7b_k.jpg" i=""><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgjur5iOXPhr3rTLLfCWvuaslX8qAWo20SIE0D8HG1vqir8JvdLyf90FJ43YaYSbE0z5n1CquBT-4Iqmk3YZdXiAoIyaGfG4wVl8dwhMpwA0a2eiLO7ec8RkoK26TLMUBA4j3M-pdRH9y/s1600/15942094618_e638b85f7b_k.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />There are done now and this is what we got. View east on Ponce de Leon.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/16103746226" title="20141228_103550 2014-12-28 131 Ponce De Leon teardown formerly I M Pei Gulf Oil by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="20141228_103550 2014-12-28 131 Ponce De Leon teardown formerly I M Pei Gulf Oil" height="360" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8627/16103746226_3c08bc97ab_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />I'm not going to rehash all the controversy but you can rehash all you want. View south on Juniper.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/8362022883" title="P1150247-2013-01-08-Demolition-131-Ponce-de-Leon-by-I-M-Pei-Gulf-Oil-Building-1949 by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="P1150247-2013-01-08-Demolition-131-Ponce-de-Leon-by-I-M-Pei-Gulf-Oil-Building-1949" height="480" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8212/8362022883_80052a8d65_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />Not every angle of the old Gulf Building was magnificent; not everybody loved it.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15942863908" title="20141228_110132 2014-12-28 131 Ponce De Leon teardown formerly I M Pei Gulf Oil by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="20141228_110132 2014-12-28 131 Ponce De Leon teardown formerly I M Pei Gulf Oil" height="360" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7579/15942863908_2ea770037c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />The developers saved the marble and built an homage to the old building and put the pool on top. Bathers will have a great view of the Midtown skyline. View west on Ponce de Leon.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15507960414" title="20141228_105503 2014-12-28 131 Ponce De Leon teardown formerly I M Pei Gulf Oil building Atlanta St Pauls Presbyterian Church Atlanta by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="20141228_105503 2014-12-28 131 Ponce De Leon teardown formerly I M Pei Gulf Oil building Atlanta St Pauls Presbyterian Church Atlanta" height="360" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7569/15507960414_dc7ecb4627_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />I was most concerned about St. Paul's Presbyterian, a one-of-a-kind that I fear is a white elephant for which which we must hope. I don't think "131" leveraged St. Paul's beauty though. The block looks like a mess from this angle too.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/8609088304" title="P1170674-2013-03-16-Ponce-Apartment-Phoenix-Flies-APC-rooftop-view-east-Gulf-Oil-IM-Pei-lot-buffted-post-demolition-detail by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="P1170674-2013-03-16-Ponce-Apartment-Phoenix-Flies-APC-rooftop-view-east-Gulf-Oil-IM-Pei-lot-buffted-post-demolition-detail" height="263" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8385/8609088304_6090eef438_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />They scraped off the Gulf Oil Building, a former office furniture store, and parking lots, a little more than 2.5 acres. View east from the top of the Ponce Apartments.<br /><br />I give credit for building on one of our most road-isolated blocks. <b>Juniper</b> (bottom of picture, one-way right) has five one-way lanes south, <b>Piedmon</b>t (bottom of picture, one-way left) has four one-way lanes north. Six lanes each on <b>North</b> and <b>Ponce de Leon</b>. It's busy and fast on these streets. <br /><br />I walked counter-clockwise starting at Ponce then south on Juniper.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/8457835822" title="P1160248-2013-02-08-I-M-Pei-Gulf-Oil-Building-Demolition-removing-Marble-panels-West-facade by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="P1160248-2013-02-08-I-M-Pei-Gulf-Oil-Building-Demolition-removing-Marble-panels-West-facade" height="480" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8091/8457835822_dce167d7df_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />The Gulf Oil Building gave Juniper a cold shoulder. View south on Juniper.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/16129397861" title="IMG_5480 2014-12-28 131 Ponce De Leon teardown formerly I M Pei Gulf Oil by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5480 2014-12-28 131 Ponce De Leon teardown formerly I M Pei Gulf Oil" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7510/16129397861_dae357f98a_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />The Juniper side felt comfortable to me, from here it seemed like an apartment building. I felt safely buffered by a green strip and protected by a row of poles and trees. I wasn't expecting comfort. Walking here has never been so good. View south on Juniper.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/16129414861" title="IMG_5493 2014-12-28 131 Ponce De Leon teardown formerly I M Pei Gulf Oil by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5493 2014-12-28 131 Ponce De Leon teardown formerly I M Pei Gulf Oil" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7469/16129414861_6b70f6725e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />Emory's new Proton Therapy Building (the beached white whale) is a lot less inviting. View Northwest from North Avenue.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/16104469596" title="20141228_104033 2014-12-28 131 Ponce De Leon teardown formerly I M Pei Gulf Oil by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="20141228_104033 2014-12-28 131 Ponce De Leon teardown formerly I M Pei Gulf Oil" height="360" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7498/16104469596_5439d2d106_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />From the corner of North and Juniper I could see the whole new composition without the Pei homage or the church. It's what I imagine the Khumbu Icefall on Everest looks like. My eye couldn't get a grip on it but I did see balconies. View east on North Avenue.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/16129416731" title="IMG_5495 2014-12-28 131 Ponce De Leon teardown formerly I M Pei Gulf Oil by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5495 2014-12-28 131 Ponce De Leon teardown formerly I M Pei Gulf Oil" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7549/16129416731_12da41b3c1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />The North Avenue Side. <br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/16128363551" title="20141228_104804 2014-12-28 131 Ponce De Leon teardown formerly I M Pei Gulf Oil by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="20141228_104804 2014-12-28 131 Ponce De Leon teardown formerly I M Pei Gulf Oil" height="360" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7555/16128363551_717b3d2502_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />Here's the view from North and Piedmont. My eye didn't get it except for the balconies.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/16105536446" title="IMG_5499 2014-12-28 131 Ponce De Leon teardown formerly I M Pei Gulf Oil by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5499 2014-12-28 131 Ponce De Leon teardown formerly I M Pei Gulf Oil" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7544/16105536446_4c207cb449_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />It kind of woks as the foot hills protecting Peachtree Ridge and the Midtown skyscrapers. You might think of it as a fortified line. This could be the most picturesque building on Ponce between North Avenue Presbyterian and Highland School Lofts. View west on North Avenue.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15942963800" title="20141228_104817 2014-12-28 131 Ponce De Leon teardown formerly I M Pei Gulf Oil by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="20141228_104817 2014-12-28 131 Ponce De Leon teardown formerly I M Pei Gulf Oil" height="360" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7519/15942963800_1302f3a932_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />The Ivy Hall Apartments on the right are a bit more traditional.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15945254759" title="IMG_5504 2014-12-28 131 Ponce De Leon teardown formerly I M Pei Gulf Oil St Pauls Presbyterian Church Atlanta by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5504 2014-12-28 131 Ponce De Leon teardown formerly I M Pei Gulf Oil St Pauls Presbyterian Church Atlanta" height="480" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8561/15945254759_404b2a6a94_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />I'm most interested in the Church, in making sure it survives. I hoped the new apartment would leverage it, compliment it.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15507946524" title="20141228_105039 2014-12-28 131 Ponce De Leon teardown formerly I M Pei Gulf Oil St Pauls Presbyterian Church Atlanta by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="20141228_105039 2014-12-28 131 Ponce De Leon teardown formerly I M Pei Gulf Oil St Pauls Presbyterian Church Atlanta" height="360" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7463/15507946524_0eac725fec_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />I'm not sure it does.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/16130587122" title="IMG_5513 2014-12-28 131 Ponce De Leon teardown formerly I M Pei Gulf Oil St Pauls Presbyterian Church Atlanta stained glass window damage by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5513 2014-12-28 131 Ponce De Leon teardown formerly I M Pei Gulf Oil St Pauls Presbyterian Church Atlanta stained glass window damage" height="480" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8658/16130587122_a48aac509e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />It needs help.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/16104496996" title="20141228_105403 2014-12-28 131 Ponce De Leon teardown formerly I M Pei Gulf Oil building Atlanta St Pauls Presbyterian Church Atlanta by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="20141228_105403 2014-12-28 131 Ponce De Leon teardown formerly I M Pei Gulf Oil building Atlanta St Pauls Presbyterian Church Atlanta" height="360" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8563/16104496996_af4cdd9f89_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />The green corner makes a difference. Go have a look.<br /><br /><iframe frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d1392.7004080578836!2d-84.38265162833133!3d33.77176880979739!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0xee5da309380f8b86!2sSt+Paul's+Presbyterian+Church!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1419830871498" style="border: 0;" width="640"></iframe><br /><br />Happy New Year.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/16123384562" title="20141227_201925 2014-12-27 131 Ponce De Leon complete night by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="20141227_201925 2014-12-27 131 Ponce De Leon complete night" height="360" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7551/16123384562_60340c9df3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />

I Don't Think This Is a Smashing Visual Success - Do You?

To my eye it's interesting visual clutter, not my style. So on this gray Sunday morning I saw it on foot, walked all the way around. The...

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Road Trip 13: In the Middle of Midville Georgia

Highway 17 isn't main street in Midville, so we turned south on Jones Street to North Railroad, Trout, and Kilpatrick. But we were in a hurry to reach Sparta before dark.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDFkQtqae9zisoO1qEGd6BUco5od608p6iqWWlJ04QKrh06_Uan6OYz50oi4U1YPqsgGUR5hDgL5-6GzlXAZeJmLjiXMLxkyRUS05myONYZmMAiI38vCGifszRPAux5cA_FDa4_6fT2ye/s1600/midville.jpg"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDFkQtqae9zisoO1qEGd6BUco5od608p6iqWWlJ04QKrh06_Uan6OYz50oi4U1YPqsgGUR5hDgL5-6GzlXAZeJmLjiXMLxkyRUS05myONYZmMAiI38vCGifszRPAux5cA_FDa4_6fT2ye/s1600/midville.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />This was a good start but I can't find it on the map.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15218052838" title="20140929_165612 2014-09-29 Midville Georgia City Hall Jones at Troot Street Drive Home from Hilton Head by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="20140929_165612 2014-09-29 Midville Georgia City Hall Jones at Troot Street Drive Home from Hilton Head" height="360" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3931/15218052838_45cfd06a0c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />City hall or the once city hall.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15218135497" title="20140929_165621 2014-09-29 Midville Georgia City Hall Drive Home from Hilton Head by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="20140929_165621 2014-09-29 Midville Georgia City Hall Drive Home from Hilton Head" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3931/15218135497_05f32807b5_z.jpg" width="360" /></a><br />Nice cornice.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15404331232" title="20140929_165806 2014-09-29  Midville Georgia Trout Street Mansion Drive Home from Hilton Head by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="20140929_165806 2014-09-29  Midville Georgia Trout Street Mansion Drive Home from Hilton Head" height="360" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3929/15404331232_e723a928f3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />A beauty on Trout Street.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15217990140" title="20140929_165836 2014-09-29 Drive Home from Hilton Head by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="20140929_165836 2014-09-29 Drive Home from Hilton Head" height="360" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3931/15217990140_1803fd644a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />Also on Trout. This shape warms my heart. See the steeple of Midville United Methodist Church on the left?<br /><br />Wish we'd had more time.<br /><br /><iframe frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d1661.236556413787!2d-82.23500654025477!3d32.817847494799025!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x88f0aabf4944b441%3A0x670f74337ad39096!2sMidville%2C+GA+30441!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1414162201258" style="border: 0;" width="640"></iframe>

Road Trip 13: In the Middle of Midville Georgia

Highway 17 isn't main street in Midville, so we turned south on Jones Street to North Railroad, Trout, and Kilpatrick. But we were in a ...

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Road Trip 11: Scarboro, Georgia's Perfect Terminated Vista and Triangular Green

This tiny place is not to be missed. Fortunately you can't miss it so take an extra five minutes and stop in Scarboro. <br /><br />About 5 miles up Highway 17 north of Rocky Ford we found a near perfect terminated vista. It looks like you are going to drive smack into a building, a place that stops the eye.<br /><br />You put something pretty in a terminated vista. In Scarboro it's this little church.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-eEbdEfVznoaW-GbZc7o30Ln70KFHdyniPDxSvtyYVyjYOdPbjixjd9fb90QxuzNSQRv6LST_xpqSDlnw0Yw7J7mF8SsMYYlKLO0mMgO7ClQsvxmIcmsMx1_VRvQR2RqOdQA2L9S1mOO/s1600/20140929_160038+2014-09-29+Scarboro+Baptist+Church+Scarboro+Georgia+Marker+detail.jpg"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-eEbdEfVznoaW-GbZc7o30Ln70KFHdyniPDxSvtyYVyjYOdPbjixjd9fb90QxuzNSQRv6LST_xpqSDlnw0Yw7J7mF8SsMYYlKLO0mMgO7ClQsvxmIcmsMx1_VRvQR2RqOdQA2L9S1mOO/s1600/20140929_160038+2014-09-29+Scarboro+Baptist+Church+Scarboro+Georgia+Marker+detail.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />Scarboro Baptist is atop a tiny rise on a triangular green, grand red steps to the portico.<br /><br />"In 1839 (Scarboro) became Station No. 7 on the Central Rail Road and served this (sic) one of the very oldest rail roads in the United States...."<br /><br />On the green there's a white church, a blue house, and a gray house. Scarboro Road, a shortcut to the Ogeechee River, passes a ruin and the cemetery.<br /><br /><iframe frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m12!1m3!1d3837.813442238319!2d-81.87651226339231!3d32.712787398459994!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1413728467308" style="border: 0;" width="640"></iframe><br />The Scarboro triangle.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15394087871" title="20140929_160208 2014-09-29 big blue house Scarboro Georgia by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="20140929_160208 2014-09-29 big blue house Scarboro Georgia" height="360" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2947/15394087871_318abe7ba1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />The Blue House.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15416475302" title="IMG_3012 2014-09-29 Scarboro Georgia boat by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3012 2014-09-29 Scarboro Georgia boat" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2950/15416475302_9f25f0b8a2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>  <br />Boat cubby.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15210515189" title="20140929_160231 2014-09-29 Scarboro Landing Bait and Tackle Scarboro Georgia by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="20140929_160231 2014-09-29 Scarboro Landing Bait and Tackle Scarboro Georgia" height="360" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2950/15210515189_e9a1f62c07_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />The gray house seems to be a riverside store neither abandoned nor busy on this Monday afternoon.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15230131460" title="IMG_3015 2014-09-29 Ruin on Scarboro road near cemetery Scarboro Georgia by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3015 2014-09-29 Ruin on Scarboro road near cemetery Scarboro Georgia" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2945/15230131460_104719436f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />The ruin is on Scarboro Road where it starts sloping down to the Ogeechee.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=2325834">cemetery</a> is across the street from the ruin. We didn't have time to explore be we wanted to.<br /><br />Of course <a href="http://vanishingsouthgeorgia.com/tag/scarboro-ga/">Brian Brown has been there with Vanishing South Georgia</a>. <br /><br />That's about all there is, do stop.

Road Trip 11: Scarboro, Georgia's Perfect Terminated Vista and Triangular Green

This tiny place is not to be missed. Fortunately you can't miss it so take an extra five minutes and stop in Scarboro. About 5 miles up ...

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Road Trip 10: Rocky Ford, Georgia

Rocky Ford proper isn't on Highway 17. We turned southwest on Rocky Ford Road and drove just past the railroad tracks where we found City Hall. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6RpRX9NrJMDeNrbxR7yrag6hIW8phL8VQMwuf7LkEFC4zo8Us7BH12xVWSgZdmleVb92UwYmADbmkXlZFMZ9zIxoTdehFUZiFuZPEP3iJdpg0ZuQ0PhcbS2Tsr_BZLcs8YjE504JLYvH/s1600/RockyFord.jpg"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6RpRX9NrJMDeNrbxR7yrag6hIW8phL8VQMwuf7LkEFC4zo8Us7BH12xVWSgZdmleVb92UwYmADbmkXlZFMZ9zIxoTdehFUZiFuZPEP3iJdpg0ZuQ0PhcbS2Tsr_BZLcs8YjE504JLYvH/s1600/RockyFord.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />On Rocky Ford Road the buildings are close to the street.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15396917682" title="20140929_154603 2014-09-29 Rocky Ford Baptist Church Rocky Ford Georgia by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="20140929_154603 2014-09-29 Rocky Ford Baptist Church Rocky Ford Georgia" height="360" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2949/15396917682_c207307644_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.rockyfordbaptist.com/">Rocky Ford Baptist</a> is right on the sidewalk. It feels good.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15210502039" title="20140929_154650 2014-09-29 Rocky Ford Georgia white house by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="20140929_154650 2014-09-29 Rocky Ford Georgia white house" height="360" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3870/15210502039_79a0329be8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />This big old house is right out there for us to enjoy.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15210589240" title="20140929_155039 2014-09-29 Rocky Ford Georgia by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="20140929_155039 2014-09-29 Rocky Ford Georgia" height="360" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3931/15210589240_d46b562769_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />There's a handful of elegant small houses along the tracks.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15381596906" title="20140929_155006 2014-09-29 Drive Home from Hilton Head Rocky Ford Georgia Post Office by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="20140929_155006 2014-09-29 Drive Home from Hilton Head Rocky Ford Georgia Post Office" height="360" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3929/15381596906_ac35924321_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />The PO.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15218036708" title="20140929_155149 2014-09-29 Drive Home from Hilton Head Rocky Ford Georgia Policeman and Police Car by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="20140929_155149 2014-09-29 Drive Home from Hilton Head Rocky Ford Georgia Policeman and Police Car" height="281" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3927/15218036708_0efc237840.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />We spoke to the police officer. He could not have been nicer. <br /><br />Downtown Rocky Ford has been on HGTV's reZONED. Greta Newton bought downtown Rocky Ford.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/PloZkXeoHaM" width="480"></iframe><br /><br />Cool, huh?<br /><br /><a href="http://gretanewton.com/Downtown.html">Greta Newton has a blog</a> - best blog quality to town size ratio I've ever seen.<br /><br /><iframe frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d7968.690927267694!2d-81.8303603030876!3d32.66153803017787!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0x134f73c3fb77b788!2sRocky+Ford+Town+Hall!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1413574999205" style="border: 0;" width="640"></iframe> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

Road Trip 10: Rocky Ford, Georgia

Rocky Ford proper isn't on Highway 17. We turned southwest on Rocky Ford Road and drove just past the railroad tracks where we found Cit...

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Road Trip 9: Oliver, Georgia the Beautiful Speed Trap?

When you are flying up Highway 17, the speed limit signs come on fast. But that wasn't our particular problem.<br /><br />We could have gotten a ticket for going too slow in Oliver Georgia. It's a little gem about 20 miles east if Stateboro. We drove around Oliver in the rain. Glad we did.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkAfSDlTjoc_abNg3KbDx-a9nxPvKwRnLq60VOhR0XFuEUbt5gAIqO9zvFZ2TzxZcTvxgAcLssrH7tqUqO6XDwVRsfKQaNJ2OPiiAjKtKw5QCz860lshEhqcO3jUTAqzqHDfnZqbfNBJm/s1600/IMG_2984+2014-09-29+Oliver+Georgia+street+sign.jpg"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkAfSDlTjoc_abNg3KbDx-a9nxPvKwRnLq60VOhR0XFuEUbt5gAIqO9zvFZ2TzxZcTvxgAcLssrH7tqUqO6XDwVRsfKQaNJ2OPiiAjKtKw5QCz860lshEhqcO3jUTAqzqHDfnZqbfNBJm/s1600/IMG_2984+2014-09-29+Oliver+Georgia+street+sign.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />The only sign we saw directed us to municipal court.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15416468152" title="IMG_2994  2014-09-29 Oliver GA Police car and municipal court by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2994  2014-09-29 Oliver GA Police car and municipal court" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2941/15416468152_9e25ae5eb0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />Here it is on Schoolhouse Road.<br /><br />We turned up Clark Street and hit Railroad Avenue, Old Louisville Road and took a little jog to Kildare. We'd have gotten out of the car if it wasn't raining.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15352541279" title="IMG_2985 2014-09-29 Oliver Georgia by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2985 2014-09-29 Oliver Georgia" height="421" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3956/15352541279_3b6eda7ee9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15230261377" title="IMG_2987 2014-09-29 Oliver Georgia by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2987 2014-09-29 Oliver Georgia" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2941/15230261377_6a645b0c67_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15416808185" title="IMG_2988 2014-09-29 Oliver, Georgia by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2988 2014-09-29 Oliver, Georgia" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3929/15416808185_b6d4934b4b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15230120620" title="IMG_2989 2014-09-29 Oliver, Georgia by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2989 2014-09-29 Oliver, Georgia" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3927/15230120620_7344b750b2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15416808935" title="IMG_2990 2014-09-29 Guyton GA Little Ogeechee Baptist Church by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2990 2014-09-29 Guyton GA Little Ogeechee Baptist Church" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2946/15416808935_b936ff945c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />Little Ogeechee Baptist Church is on Old Louisville Road<br /><br /> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15230263697" title="IMG_2993  2014-09-29 Oliver GA Little Ogeechee Baptist Church by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2993  2014-09-29 Oliver GA Little Ogeechee Baptist Church" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3930/15230263697_2f56756b12_z.jpg" width="640" /> </a><br />Thanks to <a href="http://vanishingsouthgeorgia.com/2010/05/29/little-ogeechee-baptist-church-oliver/">Brian Brown at Vanishing South Georgia we have some good information on the Little Ogeechee Baptist Church</a>. I hope <a href="http://hrcga.org/">Historic Rural Churches of Georgia</a> is on the way.<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"Church was used in a movie in 1974 called 'Buster and Billie'”<br /><br />"The church was established 222 yrs ago. The present structure is the third in the history of the church and was build in 1912. There is a grave yard attached to the church property."</blockquote><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15404613015" title="20140929_150618   2014-09-29 Oliver GA Yellow house Drive Home from Hilton Head by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="20140929_150618   2014-09-29 Oliver GA Yellow house Drive Home from Hilton Head" height="360" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3929/15404613015_1641447fcd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />Corner of Railroad and Schoolhouse.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15217869399" title="20140929_150935 2014-09-29 Oliver GA  city hall Drive Home from Hilton Head by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="20140929_150935 2014-09-29 Oliver GA  city hall Drive Home from Hilton Head" height="360" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3928/15217869399_afd04b35ac_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />We found City Hall.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15218101587" title="20140929_150844  2014-09-29 Oliver GA  post office Drive Home from Hilton Head by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="20140929_150844  2014-09-29 Oliver GA  post office Drive Home from Hilton Head" height="360" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3927/15218101587_ee3862645a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />And the post office.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15416812955" title="IMG_3002 2014-09-29 Oliver GA Oliver's on 24 church by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3002 2014-09-29 Oliver GA Oliver's on 24 church" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3929/15416812955_944cde3eb3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />We took a little jog up Highway 24 and found Oliver on 24 which sure looked like a church.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15230267967" title="IMG_3005 2014-09-29 Oliver GA Oliver's on 24 church by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3005 2014-09-29 Oliver GA Oliver's on 24 church" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3930/15230267967_b3e5c8a420_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />Maybe a meeting place / wedding chapel now.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15416814975" title="IMG_3006 2014-09-29 Oliver GA Oliver's blue house by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3006 2014-09-29 Oliver GA Oliver's blue house" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3928/15416814975_d3feb4fcf2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />There's a pretty blue next door with some stabilizing columns, a good sign.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15381580116" title="20140929_150658   2014-09-29 Oliver GA sandy road near yellow house Drive Home from Hilton Head by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="20140929_150658   2014-09-29 Oliver GA sandy road near yellow house Drive Home from Hilton Head" height="360" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3930/15381580116_fd6015488a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />Hope to come back on a pretty day.<br /><br /><iframe frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d3990.6492741953853!2d-81.5328572731354!3d32.51985368190224!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x88fa34a14b114d3d%3A0xb80b1c90b373801!2s225+Old+Louisville+Rd%2C+Newington%2C+GA+30446!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1413383482125" style="border: 0;" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/15372368576" title="20140929_151613 2014-09-29 Oliver GA Oliver's on 24 church tk selfie by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="20140929_151613 2014-09-29 Oliver GA Oliver's on 24 church tk selfie" height="281" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3867/15372368576_000aac0bdb.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Next stop: Rocky Ford.

Road Trip 9: Oliver, Georgia the Beautiful Speed Trap?

When you are flying up Highway 17, the speed limit signs come on fast. But that wasn't our particular problem. We could have gotten a ti...

Read more »