10 minute read
Main Street Lucedale
Discovering George County
By RoxAnn Wicker
There is a special little place in a northern coastal city of Lucedale in George County. Home to gorgeous historic buildings, a Main Street with bustling activity, historic art and relics, and parks and waterways that provide an abundance of natural history. This hidden gem is welcomed by a tight-knit community where the long line of lineage and heritage remains strong and prevalent to date. George County’s heritage spans into several communities of Lucedale, Rocky Creek, Wilkerson Ferry and Merrill, Agricola and Barton, Bexley, and Benndale.
George County Chamber of Commerce, Administrator, Annis Dailey, provides a friendly exploration of the heart of her County. The building that houses the Chamber once fancied itself as Tri County Oil and later Pure Oil gasoline station in its heyday of the 1950’s and 60’s. The restored 1923 Craftsman welcomes you to Main Street as you approach the thoroughfare of daily traffic. Inside you will find the original interior walls and floors have been preserved for their visitors and guests alike. Dailey, a native of Lucedale, apologizes for the walls not displaying more artwork, “Those walls are solid so it’s hard to attach anything permanent,” said Dailey. As we gazed about the original tongue and groove ceilings and brick paver floors a local guest arrived, former Mayor, and retired physician Dr. Dayton E. Whites.
Dr. Whites approached us with a reverence, a dapper of humility, yet tender Southern class. Whites emotional impact became universally styled and structured as he spoke about this beloved town and the county, he calls home. Taking us through the history of the town that molded and shaped him, often referring to himself as a ‘street kid,' he went on to become the local family physician, and author of “The Best Little Town.”
As he weaves the cultural history of Lucedale and George County, his memories and contributions are much of that of a romantic poet. Providing a depiction of the genteel past, he spoke about Lucedale forming a literary expression which dazzled us with his antebellum dialect and vernacular much like that of Shelby Foote.
With timeless antiquities and curiosities in tow, Whites presented us with a hand woven Native American basket filled with George County arrowheads. The basket alone is a beautiful exploration of basketry construction, tightly woven of pine needles and deeply dyed red and navy blue with the lid fondly atop. Whites' arrowhead collection is not only impressive, but diverse some of the largest and heaviest weighted arrowheads all of which were given to him by a former patient. Another of Whites treasures of time is an America Victorian wire shoeshine chair set. Whites reunited the pieces after they had been separated from one another. Mr. Walter Jack died in 1991 but was the oldest living resident in George County at the time and was regarded as the best shoe shiner for generations. Jack set up his shine chair for George County residents, men, and women alike in Doc Mason and Andy Powell’s barbershop, still in existence to date. The shoeshine chair set is currently on display at the George County Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Dailey and Dr. Whites arranged a field trip around the City of Lucedale and the various surrounding communities.
Our first trip around town was to tour Main Street. A lively and energetic little city center, Main Street is the principal street for buildings dating over 100 years. Lucedale is a relatively unchanged. Main Street is comprised of stylistic elements that reflect over a century of this richly eclectic ensemble of weatherboarded, two-story buildings from agricultural, residential, and mercantile developmental areas.
Main Street Lucedale
GEORGE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT, MAIN OFFICE -
5152 MAIN STREET The Century Bank legacy began as the Bank of Lucedale when Gregory Luce of Grand Rapids, Michigan, entrepreneur, and mill operator came into what is now known as Lucedale in 1889 with his wife Sarah, and son. Luce founded the town on a $20,000 family investment to build a thriving city. Today, the bank has a new location, but the building stands in its original home since 1928, moonlighting as the George County School District’s main office.
EDWARD JONES - 5164 MAIN STREET Currently, Edward
Jones Investments reside in the once popular 1900’s drug store building. One of the most striking buildings on Main Street, the current owner, Lincoln Scaife is the Lucedale Chamber of Commerce President and is committed to keeping the exterior aesthetic period.
LANDMARK CAFÉ - 5176 MAIN STREET This historic building is
a local favorite offering a vintage yet sophisticated atmosphere. The second story offers hardwood floors and provides a more antiqued look to its patrons. The food is a variety of American and homestyle cooking, the service was prompt and extremely friendly. You are sure to be welcomed with the same hospitality each visit.
HISTORIC BAILEY’S SCRATCHING POST Located right at
the corner and in the heart of the city, Bailey’s Scratching Post will surely relive you of a tickle on your back as you meander your way from downtown. The original post dates to 1939, but current location on the sidewalk around 1945. Either way, it stands mounted just waiting for people to scratch their backs in just the right spot.
GEORGE COUNTY TIMES - 5133 MAIN STREET George County
Times has been in operation since 1903. Remaining true to local coverage. GC Times continuous coverage circulates by the same family after all these years.
GEORGE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - 5177 MAIN
STREET Providing representation to businesses in George County. Housed in a 1923 former gas station, the GC Chamber’s mission is to advance the interest of businesses by fostering a progressive business climate to the County. Visitors and locals alike will find a plethora of information about the City of Lucedale and George County information.
Downtown Lucedale
CITY PARK – PARK STREET If you’re looking for a place to relax and read a book, have a picnic, or play with your kids, the Lucedale City Park is a unique space that has something for young and old alike. The park has new state of the art playground equipment, courts for basketball and tennis, a walking track, facilities for picnics and gatherings. Two smaller parks are also located in Lucedale. They are the Lavelett Park and the Benyard Park.
in the center of downtown Lucedale, George County Courthouse stands tall and strong after the 100-year-old building received a restoration. An extensive renewal was needed for the project to maintain the historical integrity of the structure. The custom stained-glass windows were resurfaced and reworked on each side of the dome.
HISTORIC SCHOOLHOUSE – CITY PARK, 447 PARK STREET | TOURS: 601-947-2082 The one room schoolhouse
is something magnificent as you approach her. With the one room schoolhouse was once referred to as the County Line School due to being on the edge of Jackson and Greene Counties. Operational from 1924 – 1969, the school was moved to its current location today. The school is open for tours and is filled with period pieces of furniture to maintain its authenticity.
LUCEDALE DEPOT CREEK NATURE PRESERVE The area
includes walking trails, a handicap accessible boardwalk, and two small fishing ponds. Visitors can also explore the main pavilion, which serves as the main event space for the Lucedale community. Don’t forget to say hello to the resident wildlife!
Historic Attractions
MERRILL BRIDGE (Closed indefinitely for thru traffic.) The Merrill Bridge was built in 1928 where the Leaf and Chickasawhay rivers form the head of the Pascagoula River.
BEXLEY SCHOOL Founded in 1913, the school still stands in restoration as a consolidated school which provided progressive education for the period.
VERNAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH This historic church was built in 1908 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
GOOD OLE DAYS FESTIVAL MARCH 11 & 12 | 8 AM-4 PM LC HATCHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
An event of nostalgia, this family friendly festival will entertain you with an antique car and tractor show, craft and vendor show, musical entertainment, and good old-fashioned fun.
SECOND SATURDAY MARCH 12 | 5-8 PM DOWNTOWN MERCHANTS
Downtown Main Street restaurants, boutiques, and shops whirl with energy to the sounds of live music and entertainment.
As our tour came to an end Dr. Whites and Annis Dailey provided a glimpse into the treasures spread throughout their community. Learning about the multi-million-dollar Enviva Pellet Plant that will soon make an innovative and efficient way to effectively invest in the economic health of Lucedale. With an influx of economic development and housing surges, Lucedale remains nostalgic while progressing Main Street into a strategy for continued growth, teaming with a powerful network of business leaders within the community to ensure their economic engine roars, and a maintaining a preservation of historic structures that set Lucedale apart. It is no wonder Main Street and Lucedale demonstrate a strong use of resources while valuing its heritage to address historic preservation to this unique historic downtown area.
