Where's your secret spot?

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Where's your secret spot?

Posted by

Andrew Odom

in Opinions

Thursday, October 22. 2009

Comments (21)

Purchased by Gideon Barnes in 1826, the city of Barnesville has a rich legacy of agriculture, industry and quality of life.

It has been the home of numerous factories and businesses as well as the stomping grounds for some of the Southeast's most successful people.

But it is the "hidden spots" that give buggy town it's true charm. It's the Railroad Village shacks, the downtown facades, the red clay masonry of Gordon college, the secrets of Carter's Drugs, the architectural beauty of Thomaston Street, the mysticism of the Head family cemetery and the mural(s) of our history, that define us as a people. It is these very same landmarks though that often go unnoticed. We get too busy to stop and think about what a legacy our town offers.

Each one of us has a 'spot' or a place we think is just the most breathtaking in all of town.

For me it is the grass behind Aldora United Methodist Church. I love seeing the dawn break over the Continental Tire warehouse - men and women shuffling into their shift at the plant, wild turkeys playing in the grass and the breeze offered by the lone tree in the lot.

In your opinion, what is THE spot? What is your spot? Take some time today to think about Barnesville and all it offers you. Take a photo. Email it to drew@barnesville.com. I'll post it along with a brief explanation of the location.

GO!

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#1 Julie Ann Knott on 10/22/09 at 09:07 AM [Reply]

Shoot...I would not call mine an exact spot. But to me I have a few favorite trips. My mom, dad and Barry have always loved just certain "driving spots". Mine are easy, take a left out of my drive to Community House Road or take a right on Brent Road either way turn on Ramah Church Road and end up on (can't remember the name) Forsyth-Yatesville Rd? then back to 341 and home. I also like to drive out toward Johnstonville. But the view from my porch is not too shabby either!

Drew, I always enjoy your post like these...gets me thinking!

#2 Enoc Siuol on 10/22/09 at 09:34 AM [Reply]

Andrew,

About 40 years ago that spot you found so dear was a bustling neighborhood where streets were lined with duplex mill houses. The church was filled on Sunday and Burnett grocery (which was just a little to the right of your photo) was the Mecca to spend that hard earned paycheck. They were the best of times but yet at times were also the worse.

#2.1 Andrew Odom on 10/22/09 at 10:02 AM [Reply]

I have been told of the mill houses and I have tried to find a picture. Unfortunately no one seems to have one. At least no one I have spoken with.

Thank you for sharing that story with me 'Enoc Siuol.' I love learning more about my town.

#3 cats on 10/22/09 at 09:49 AM [Reply]

For me, I like to be downtown, sitting on a bench, people watching, and hearing the train going by.

#4 Call N. Alcars on 10/22/09 at 09:51 AM [Reply]

"I love seeing the dawn break over the Continental Tire warehouse - men and women shuffling into their shift at the plant, wild turkeys playing in the grass and the breeze offered by the loan tree in the lot."

......Aaah!...so relaxing...aah. Andrew describes this poignant pastoral paradise with such clarity. I can visualize it too....huh?

Wait!! A 'loan' tree? I don't recall ever seeing a 'loan' tree there. Is this an area where PayDay Loans are made to the men and woman playing in the grass or to the wild turkeys shuffling into their shift? Just wondering.
I'm going to clean my spectacles and reread the article.

Smiles to Andrew. Good job.

Call N. Alcars, just funning you.

#4.1 Andrew Odom on 10/22/09 at 09:59 AM [Reply]

The loan tree was a hidden attempt at plugging an advertiser in an otherwise nondescript post.

Correction made. I shall now gaze upon the LONE tree.

Thank you 'Call N. Alcars.' Y'all always keep me on my toes!

#5 Anonymous on 10/22/09 at 09:57 AM [Reply]

1. I grew up on Sims St. The first time being back there as an adult surprised me. Everything was so much smaller. My grandparents house was so different. The big hill we used to ride our skateboards down wasn't big at all.
2. We ride a lot down Johnstonville rd. when we just 'go riding'. Really peaceful.

#6 Randy Berry on 10/22/09 at 10:05 AM [Reply]

I don't have a photo, but a picture in my mind. Friday night, riding around the Dairy Queen, then around the Square, seeing and being seen, out to Hood's Dairy Delite, back down Greenwood Street, and start the process again. It's one of those times you'd like to go back to for just one night, knowing what you know now. What a life we had.

#7 Anonymous on 10/22/09 at 10:10 AM [Reply]

I enjoy riding past and stopping at Summers Field and thinking of all that went on there over the years. Especially the many football games played. I like to sit and think and wonder who all played there that might have went on to bigger and better things that we just don't know about. We have a fabulous new high school football stadium but it's kind of sad for all who bled, sweated and cried on Summers Field that it will soon be turned into something else. May the ghosts of Summers Field past forever live on.

#8 Lynda on 10/22/09 at 11:04 AM [Reply]

I remember as a small child walking from Carletta Street to Burnette's Grocery Store with my grandfather. I even remember when Barnesville had an "ice house", where folks picked up large blocks of ice..That goes way back for me..I have many favorite spots in Barnesville, but one is Carter's Drug Store. It is so beautiful and I feel like I have stepped back in time when I go in there. Very good post Andrew.

#9 Anonymous on 10/22/09 at 11:12 AM [Reply]

i was 13 when we moved from the mill house that was directly behind the church in the picture.

#10 Call N. Alcars on 10/22/09 at 12:01 PM [Reply]

Andrew, your well written article was read in Washington, DC by a close and personal friend , Gee Sphot, who was so impressed she wanted you and THG to be the first media outlet to receive this exciting news.

_______________________________________________________________
White House press spokeperson, Wankin Waffler, released this story.

As a result of Irishmen Bill O'Smiley and Sean O'Hardity of FOX NEWS being so popular, the President has decided to be of Irish ancestry in order to raise his job approval rating with all American citizens.
He is immediately to be addressed as President Barach Shamus O'Bama.
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Faron Ballance of FOX NEWS, reported that O'Bama wrote an Irish poem which he shared with Hairy Read & Nan C. Pelozi. O'Bama's Black Irish persona quickly rose to the surface as he gleefuly recited his prose.
_________________________________________________________________

(To the tune of the counting rhyme, "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe")

Tax his tractor, tax his mule; tell him, taxing is the rule.
Tax his oil, tax his gas, tax his notes, tax his cash
Tax him good and let him know, that after taxes, he has no dough.
If he hollers, tax him more; tax him till he's good and sore.
Tax his coffin, tax his grave, tax his sod in which he's laid.
Put these words upon his tomb, "Taxes drove him to his doom."
Once he's gone, we won't relax. We'll still collect inheritance tax.
_______________________________________________________________

Begorra!
Call N. Alcars

#11 Matti Murner on 10/22/09 at 12:05 PM [Reply]

One of the most beautiful sites in Barnesville is standing at the end of the 6th grade hall at the middle school and watching the sunrise over the church next door. It is so awe-inspiring and peaceful when one of those most beautiful, colorful sunrises hits the cross on the steeple! That always gives me a peace that I cannot explain and don't need to.

#12 Solo on 10/22/09 at 12:27 PM [Reply]

Drive down Johnstonville Road continuing thru Goggins and Johnstonville, take a left on Rocky Creek Road past Rocky Creek Baptist Church and continue all the way down hill to the creek bottom to the bridge. There is a place near the bridge where the water flows over rocks and into pools that was a wonderful place to go and picnic, meet friends, splash in the water, catch some sun on the rocks, and, sometimes, get lucky. The old wooden bridge has been replaced by a concrete one, the mill is gone, there are houses nearby, and there are hostile posted signs everywhere. The place is still there even if not accessable and many people who grew up from the forties thru the sixties will remember it as Rocky Creek.

#12.1 Anonymous on 10/22/09 at 08:48 PM [Reply]

My son was baptised in that river before the old bridge washed out and the new one was built! It was beautiful down there!

#12.2 Ben Dover on 10/23/09 at 09:35 PM [Reply]

Rock Creek was a blast on a hot Saturday afternoon. I wish I had the money to buy the place and open it back up to the public.

#13 Ben on 10/22/09 at 01:22 PM [Reply]

Mine is a secret !

#13.1 Sheila Tolley on 10/27/09 at 01:26 PM [Reply]

Our place is secret isn't it Ben? Do you remember that night?

#14 Anonymous on 10/22/09 at 03:34 PM [Reply]

I had a spot on the farm we named Shady Lane, there was an old syrup mill, plum bushes, persimmion trees and sand which was unusual in red clay Redbone. Thanks for the memories.

#15 Sheila Tolley on 10/28/09 at 08:53 PM [Reply]

To get to my favorite spot....First we must climb in the time machine....be careful....it is over a foot off the ground....put it in reverse..........stop at EXIT 1968. Now ain't that nice? Just leave me here. Go quickly and kill Bill Gates.........

#16 Debbie on 11/02/09 at 11:21 AM [Reply]

I remember the Dairy Queen was the place to be and be seen. The good ole Ritz Theatre that played old, old movies, but it was still the place to socialize; afterwards walking down to the Ron-Sue for a fantastic burger..THOSE WERE THE GOOD OLE DAYS!!!!

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