TAYLOR COUNTY, GA - HISTORY ***************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm *********************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Volunteers Reynolds Reynolds was located on the direct line of the Central of Georgia Railroad between Macon and Columbus. Origin of Name There are several ideas about how Reynolds got its name. One source says "John Reynolds, one of Georgia's famous Governors"; another named "L.C. Reynolds, Esq"; yet another refers to the superintendent of the railroad at that time. Early Beginnings Governor George W. Towns owned land in this area and he (with H.H. Long) laid out the town with the streets running north and south, east and west. One block was given to the new railroad for a depot; a second was planned for the Courthouse site. [This is now "church park" near the Methodist Church] The county officials had made the decision to locate the county seat 9 miles west, at Muscogee Station on the railway line as a more central location. Settlers had moved into the area in the early 1800's...such families as Crowell , Corbin , Howard , Marshall , Carson , Hicks. Railroad brings first store buildings. After March 16, 1851 when the railroad arrived, a line of wooden store buildings were built on Talbot and Winston Street. The first brick building was in 1886 by J.N. Bryan and Co; followed by the Souder Building and the G.T. Ruffin building. Early Business Edward A. Goddard moved from Butler after the Civil War. The first bank was established in 1897...first school house and churches were built. Population had grown to 1000. Early Citizens Henry Hodges with his brother Wash Hodges had been in the area along the Flint River prior to the railroads and built a house that became a landmark. Dr. Christopher came along with the Paris family who established an early hotel called the Paris House. Mr. Paris was the dentist and also served as Mayor in 1890. A Columbus Enquirer article (1890) mentioned Souder and Son, Adams Store (owned and operated by J.A. Adams), Griffith and Frederick Warehouseman. Goddard's Store was described as carrying a full line of dry goods, groceries and notions and was an undertaker 'and takes care of the dead as well as the living'. Treat Hines built a nice home for his daughter, Mrs. Goddard in 1872. Governor John B. Gordon had a farm located near Reynolds. In the Coleman Institute Catalog of 1911-12 the town had a cotton mill employing 400 people, e larage guano factories; a canning factory and a factory for making doors and windows. Three banks (Reynolds Banking Company, the First National Bank and the Farmers and Merchants Bank) served the area, still primarily agricultural. Town Minutes - 1913 The earliest town minutes found in City Hall were dated Jan 10, 1913. Officials were: Mayor-J.A. Matthews; Aldermen - J.A. Ricks, J.G. Hill, C.H. Neisler, J.C. Newsome and J.E. Mangham. E.J. Poole was Marshal and J.T. Parks elected Nightwatchman. Early Streets Although the town had been laid out professionally (no doubt at the request of Gov. Towns), the wide streets of today were covered then with natural underbrush and narrow, crooked roads meandered through the trees. Adult males were required to pay a street Tasx of $5 or work on the streets for ten days. The original houses were not very close together and all had their own well. In the early 1900's Albert Carter began to supply the town with water pumped from Ruffin Springs, later Carter Springs, northeast of town. A water tank was erected at the intersection of Talbot and Winston Streets. Postmasters Early mail carriers were: Lester Carter, Bailey Jones, Cliff Windham, C.S. Sawyer, and J.J. Saylor. Postmasters included: W.I. Powell, E.A. Hollis, J.G. Hicks, W.M Hollis, Blanche M. Brunson. Reynolds Business Section ca 1945 Contributed by Thomas H. Gregory thgtwo@bellsouth.net 1940-1950 era Starting at the Easternmost corner and moving west: R.E. Aultman's grocery store, Joe Goodrow's appliance store C.B. Hick's hardware Jaime Barrow's store, Powell's Cafe Hill's grocery (later Virgil Powell (Harry's brother) Upholstery shop Lawrence Cook's "five and dime", a stairwell that led to a second floor hotel which burned in about 1947 Post Office Hick's Trussell's grocery and hamburger place, a small store that I do not remember very well, and last on the corner, Jacob Prager's clothing store. It was along the outside wall of the west side of Mr. Prager's store that contained all the names of those that were in the military during World Was II. If I haven't worn you out already, and you would like to know more about any of these stores, I remember them very well, as I spent a lot of time on this block. DETAILS ABOUT POWELL'S CAFE It was located in the middle of the block across the street from what is now the Reynolds City Hall. You might be interested in knowing about the other stores in this block. Now, more details about Powell's Cafe, as it was commonly referred to. It was rather narrow in the front, but very long in depth, from north to south. The floor was wooden, which we oiled occasionally to reduce dust. The ceiling was made of squares of embossed tin, as was the fashion at one time. Upon entering the store, on the left side was a short counter behind which was a gas fired grill. This grill was used to fry hamburgers, steaks and almost any meat desired. The short counter was located at the front of the store to serve sandwiches primarily to black people, who were not permitted normally to go further into the store and sit down. Next, on the left side, was the ice cream freezer, my favorite spot, followed by a soft drink cooler. Continuing on the left side was the cash register and then a very long counter with attendant revolving stools, which were a delight to young folks. Behind the counter on the walls were shelves for groceries At the rear was a desk where we did all the necessary paper work. On the right side of the store in the front there were pin ball machines, a "juke box", and enough open space that it was frequently used by teenagers for dancing. Following that there was a long meat counter set at an angle, since it was too long to sit straight across, behind which was an area for cutting meat, etc. To the rear of the meat market area were several set of tables and chairs for dining. Behind a small screen was a wash basin. At the very rear of the store, hidden behind a wall, was the kitchen, which was used to cook the noontime meal. If someone wanted a cooked meal, he ordered a "regular dinner". There were no choices, you took what was served you. Only fried meals were served in the evening, steaks, etc. A little personal background: my mother (Annie Laurie Whatley Gregory and William Harry Powell married in 1944 and mother and I moved to Reynolds. I was then thirteen years old and was immediately "introduced" to the store, that is, it was expected that I would work in the store, which I did all of my teenage life. The ice cream freezer was of much interest to me. Harry died in 1955, so there you have the time bracket of my knowledge of the store. I don't know exactly when Harry opened the store originally, but it was said that he had a store in Reynolds all of his grown life. He was fifty-four when he died.