Though plain enough to be considered vernacular, this house has Victorian sensibilities and therefore I’d consider it a transitional Folk Victorian. It’s actually quite imposing and set beautifully back on a large lot in the small residential section of Metcalfe. It was identified as the Lanier House in the 1977 nomination of the Metcalfe Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places. Beyond that, I’ve been unable to locate any other information.
Metcalfe Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Friendship Baptist Church is the oldest Baptist congregation in Thomas County, established near the Florida line a few miles south of present-day Metcalfe. Its first congregants met in a log structure at least as early as the late 1830s. The earliest burial I can find in the cemetery located adjacent to the original church dates to circa 1840. An interesting fact is that many members of the Roddenberry family were early and active members, and pioneer settlers in the area. These are the same Roddenberrys known for their syrups and other foods, as well as the ancestors of Gene Roddenberry, the creator of the cult phenomenon Star Trek.
Apparently, the log church served them well. The coming of the railroad brought growth to the new village of Metcalfe, and the congregation decided to relocate to a more substantial structure to accommodate their expanding numbers. They built this handsome structure between 1884-1888 and have thrived here ever since. The pride members have taken in this place is obvious, as it is very well maintained. The original cemetery is still in use.
It isn’t every day a whole little village gets restored, but that’s what concerned citizens did in Metcalfe, and these two shotgun buildings, and another not pictured, have been given a new lease on life. They likely date from 1900-1920. I’m not sure their specific history, but most such structures were used as stores, warehouses, and offices. These are important as survivors of the boom days of Metcalfe, when the railroad made the town hum. They have no doubt witnessed a lot of history in their time.
Metcalfe Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
In December 2008, a large group of concerned citizens attended a rehabilitation meeting initiated by Thomasville Landmarks and the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation with the purpose of discussing the future of Metcalfe. One of the first efforts was the restoration of this structure, built in 1916 as the Metcalfe Branch of the Commercial Bank of Thomasville and later known as the Bank of Metcalfe.
Metcalfe Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Metcalfe [sometimes incorrectly spelled “Metcalf”] is a tiny hamlet between Thomasville and the Florida line, established circa 1887 and linked for much of its history by the railroad that passed through here and the timber industry so active in the area. It was named for Dr. John Thomas Metcalfe (1818-1902), a New Yorker who spent his winters in Thomas County and tirelessly promoted the Thomasville area as a tourist haven. A post office was open from 1888-1955. For many years, these old storefronts were in a state of disrepair and their future was uncertain. The drive down from Thomasville on Magnolia Road & Metcalfe Road, passing through grand old longleaf pine plantations, is one of the most beautiful in the state.
Metcalfe Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Now home to a lumber company office, the old Metcalfe Depot is a wonderful survivor. It’s design was the standard of the short-lived Savannah, Florida & Western Railway (SF&W), known as a combination station for its use as a passenger and freight facility. Henry Plant built a line from Thomasville to Monticello, Florida, as part of the SF&W in 1888 and this depot likely dates to that year. Metcalfe was officially “founded” in 1889, likely a result of the coming of the rail line. After Plant’s death in 1899, disputes among his heirs lead to the break-up of the SF&W and the Atlantic Coast Line took over this route in 1902.
Metcalfe Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
