Which House Is The Oldest? | Perry's 200th Birthday Celebration

Perry, Georgia, is turning 200 years old in 2024, and we're celebrating all year long!

Since information is sparse, it is not possible to name any one house in Perry as the oldest. However, in today's episode, Mrs. Ellie Loudermilk, President of the Perry Area Historical Society & Museum, shares a few possibilities.

You can learn more about the history of Perry houses at the Perry Area Historical Society Museum.

Visit www.perryhistoricalmuseum.org for more about Perry's rich history.

For more information about the year-long celebration, visit www.perry-ga.gov/200.

If you like Inside Perry - subscribe and share the podcast with friends and family. The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms.

Visit us at perry-ga.gov.

We hope to see you around in our amazing community...Where Georgia Comes Together.

Transcript

Tabitha Clark: 0:00

Welcome to the Inside Perry, Georgia podcast. It's 2024 and we're celebrating the city of Perry's 200th birthday. This year we're partnering with the Perry Area Historical Society to give an inside look at the tells of Perry's past. We're delving into the archives to uncover the stories that truly make Perry a unique and special place. Today's tale narrated by Ms. Ellie Loudermilk, president of the Perry Area Historical Society.

Ellie Loudermilk: 0:33

Today's story is in consideration of the title for the oldest home of Perry still standing. As we consider some possibilities, there will be some information about who built them. As we begin our story, I would like to share that there are many who claim the little cottage located at 1303 Swift Street as being the oldest, but research shows that while it is among the older homes, It is not the oldest. We know that this lot was purchased in 1858 by John L. Birch, and was referenced in later transactions as the John L. Birch Place. All of the property on both sides of Swift Street was a field owned by James and Amy Kelly. Until Amy's death in 1854. At that time, the field was sold to 12 investors who divided the lots into one and a half acre lots. Houses sprang up and Swift Street was born. Others claim that 802 Washington Street is the oldest standing residence. Research shows that a home was built on this site facing Washington Street in 1835 by James E. Duncan. However, the structure only consisted of two rooms and a kitchen, which possibly remain as the back portion of the structure we know today, and the two story front was added much later. Some believe that the Swanson Restaurant holds the title of the oldest house still standing in Perry. A deed dated 1833 on this property from George Patton mentions a half acre lot with residents. Interestingly enough, the property sold for 275. As with the Washington Street property, it is very possible that the original structure is the back portion of the restaurant. The front part of the house was added by Nora Singleton Cox in 1902. I believe that the Loudermilk House could also hold this title. Originally located on the corner of Washington and Main Streets, the house was moved in 1974 to Henderson. where it stands proudly showcasing more than 186 years of history. The Perry Baptist Church acquired the property in 1838 and held it for 10 years before selling it to Thaddeus G. Holt who resided on the property for almost 20 years. The first deed to state whether there was a dwelling on the property was this church transaction. The property located at 1002 Main Street is another residence for consideration of the title. It is known that Eli Warren bought this lot in 1840 to erect a law office and a residence. In the 1850s, Dr. Minor W. Havis purchased the property. enlarged the house, and built an apothecary shop in the side yard. In 1905, John Powers Cooper remodeled the home, added a second story, and it became home for members of the Cooper family for more than 100 years. Today, it is known as JMA Architecture. The last home for consideration is located today at 1008 Cherokee Road. It was originally built at 1025 Macon Road, facing Carroll Street, and was the birthplace of General Courtney Hodges. In the 1950s, it was moved to 1010 Carroll Alley, and in 1980, moved again to Cherokee Road. While we don't know the exact year the house was built, it is known that it was built by John M. Giles. Who moved to Perry in 1839 to practice law. A reasonable assumption would be that the house would be built soon after. Since information is sketchy at best, it is not possible to name any one house as being the oldest. We will continue to research as there are many homes in Perry with their dates of origin still unknown. However, it is known that the oldest standing structure in Perry. is the wall at the back of Mason Tractor Company on Jernigan Street. This was the wall of the first jail in Perry built between 1824 and 1826 from bricks made in Perry. And that concludes our story for today.

Tabitha Clark: 4:59

Thanks for joining us for the Inside Perry, Georgia podcast. We're celebrating all year long in 2024. Visit the show notes to discover the exciting things happening this year. Special thanks again to the Perry Area Historical Society for their time, dedication, and passion for Perry's history. Visit the Perry Area Historical Museum. More information about that museum is in the show notes. If you like Inside Perry, subscribe and share the podcast with friends and family. The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms. Visit us at perry ga. gov for more information about the city of Perry. We hope to see you around in our amazing community where Georgia comes together.