Looking at our past 22 years ago

The Herald dated April 26, 1989, shows activity of Historic Effingham Society 22 years ago with no author on article:

Making butter back in the day

Many years ago the only way butter could be obtained was to make it. This required a cow to milk and physical effort in the churning. Butter was not available in stores and in days before refrigeration had a very short shelf life.

Looking back at 1935 businesses in Effingham

The Springfield Herald ran the following business reviews during 1935: Powers Drug Company There is probably not another business that is more essential to any community than the modern drug store and in this respect let us introduce the Powers Drug Company in Guyton. Many of our readers are already friends and patrons of this establishment for they have been serving Guyton and Effingham County for the past five years. Powers Drug Company was established ...

Perusing Effingham’s businesses, 1935-36

The May 15, 1935, issue of the Springfield Herald announced the opening on May 16 of "Bob's Tea Room," a new and attractive business on Laurel Street in Springfield. As written by the Herald, "This attractive Tea-Room is an invitation to the public, and Mr. Brogdon will give his patrons first class service, in eats, drinks and courtesy." According to my Great Aunt May Carter Exley, who worked there for a short time, "in the ...

Perusing the 1909 Sears and Roebuck Catalog

Back in 1909, the Sears and Roebuck and Co. Catalog advertised on the cover as being the cheapest supply house on earth with trading around the world. Practically anything was available on order from the company based in Chicago. In later years, even an entire house kit could be purchased in several different styles.

Remembering Bishop Marion Edwards

Retired United Methodist Bishop Marion Edwards, age 71, passed on to his heavenly home on Jan. 24, 2011, at Columbus Georgia Hospice House after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He had retired to Hamilton with his wife of 48 years, Linda Layfield Edwards, whom he met at Young Harris.

Five years, and a bit of quilting

This week makes five years that this column has been in print in the Effingham Herald. To be exact, that is 260 issues and one can only guess how quickly each week comes around. Over the years of compiling or writing the articles, I appreciate the suggestions, photos and ideas shared by you. I am grateful to the members, who have helped, especially Norman Turner who has provided so much historical data. The occasional guest columnists are very much appreciated also.

Rambling around old Rincon

Local author releases series on the Civil War

Barry Sheehy, an honored life member and financial benefactor of Historic Effingham Society, is releasing the first in a series of books being published to coincide with the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War. The first in the series, "Savannah: Immortal City," is available in early February in bookstores, including Historic Effingham Society's gift shop in the Effingham Museum on the north end of Pine Street just across from the old Effingham County Courthouse. You ...

What’s this historical mound of earth?

Many people today wonder about the original use of the mound of dirt that is located across the road from the American Legion Hall and Gnann's Fix It Shop in Springfield on the old section of Highway 21 (now known as Laurel Street south). This earthen mound is the only remains of the original sawmill dam used by the Springfield Manufacturing Company. It was constructed in 1907 by Mr. George Brinson, builder of the Brinson Railroad from Savannah to Springfield.

Making mayonnaise in the 1930s

A trip to the grocery store lately will tell you that one of the numerous items that's price has climbed is mayonnaise. Despite the perils of obesity and the ingredients not being favorable to our health, this is one condiment that is still in great demand.

Perusing Rincon School’s past

These photos were given to Historic Effingham by Billy Rahn of Clyo. We need help to identify the students and to date the photo at Rincon School. Please call Susan with any information. This was compiled by Susan Exley of Historic Effingham Society. If you have photos, comments or information to share, contact Susan Exley at 754-6681 or email her at: susanexley@historiceffinghamsociety.org.

Reviewing the Guyton train wreck of 1953

25 Cars Derailed Yet No One Hurt From Springfield Herald, Dec.18, 1953

Many different ways to welcome the New Year

In years gone by, we have discussed New Year's resolutions and superstitions. We all know to eat black eyed peas for luck and greens for money. Other countries have some unique ideas about the way to welcome the New Year. In Spain, it is customary to eat 12 grapes at midnight, one for each month of the coming year, to bring luck. In the Philippines, a mound of fresh fruit is piled high on dining tables. ...

Cracking the Christmas coconut

Each year as we ready ourselves for the Christmas season, I marvel at how much easier we have it than in days gone by to prepare the Christmas meal. They butchered a hog to have meat for Christmas and that included making sausage, souse and liver pudding. No parts went to waste. Fresh ham was the fare rather than our store-bought cured ham that is precooked and even spiral sliced. Fresh game was also available. ...

Looking at old Berryville farm houses

Solomon Exley, born 1795, first married Sarah Backley in 1818 at the age of 23.

Finding the story behind an old photo

For several years I had looked at this photograph from my mother's family pictures. My great uncle Emmette Joshua Hinely (1889-1944) is on the left. Mr. Ulysses Lawrence Elzey (1869-1937) is on the right.

Raisin bread is ingrained in county

Effingham County has become rather famous for raisin bread. This slightly sweet bread dense with raisins is said to have come to our country with the Salzburger immigrants who settled at Ebenezer.

Rambling again through old ads

This was compiled by Susan Exley of Historic Effingham Society from ads in the Springfield Herald.

Exploring the history of Tusculum

The Tusculum community developed along the Central of Georgia Railway as a stop between Guyton and Egypt. At one time there was a small depot there but no ticket office.

Blandford Depot to be dedicated

In 2011, Sandra Nease Hendrix and Tracey Nease Kieffer donated the building that once was the Blandford Depot to Historic Effingham Society to be relocated and restored on the Living History Site in Springfield. The abandoned depot building was relocated to the property of their grandfather Russell Nease to use for a barn in March 1967.

Reflecting on the life of Mac Marchman

J. Malcolm Marchman, who was known as "Mac," came to Springfield at age 21. A big tall man, he had great presence and loved people. With a business course and a few years banking under his belt in his hometown of White Plains, he fit right in this "Small Town USA."

Remembering the Exchange Bank of Springfield

The Brinson Railroad brought growth in the town of Springfield and Mr. Brinson's businesses including a saw mill gave rise to the need for a bank. The Exchange Bank of Springfield was organized in 1907 by local stockholders C. F. Berry, Willie R. Fetzer, C. F. Gnann, J. Martin Gnann, Allen B. Kieffer, John W. Reiser and Ralph E. Shearouse.

Rambling through more 1963 ads

This was compiled by Susan Exley of Historic Effingham Society from The Springfield Herald Feb. 15, 1963 issue. If you have photos, comments or information to share, contact Susan Exley at 754-6681 or email her at: hesexleyherald@aol.com.

Reviewing ads of Feb. 15, 1963

This was compiled by Susan Exley of Historic Effingham Society from the Feb. 15, 1963, issue of The Springfield Herald.

Militia mobilized in 1800 to prevent smallpox spread

Retired Chief Warrant Officer Norman Turner compiled a booklet of data titled "The Mobilization of the Effingham County Militia in the summer of the year 1800 to prevent the spread of Smallpox then in Chatham and Bryan County."

Exploring the Effingham Library’s history

The Effingham County Library has been in existence since about the late 1930s. The first library was one room in what was known as the Treutlen Building in Springfield. The first librarian was Gussie (Morgan) Hinely.

Remembering the bookmobile

This was compiled by Susan Exley of Historic Effingham Society.

Looking back on seven years in the Herald

Well, folks, it has been seven years since Echoes of Effingham first appeared in the Effingham Herald. As I reflect on preparing around 370 columns, I think of all the old photographs I have perused and all the interesting people I met, interviewed or told you about. I learn new information on a daily basis that intrigues me to share.

Remembering local fraternal orders

This was compiled by Susan Exley of Historic Effingham Society. If you have photos, comments or information to share, contact Susan Exley at 754-6681 or email her at: susanexley@historiceffinghamsociety.org.