The Bank of Surrency, located at Hart and Main Streets in Surrency, Georgia, is the town’s only remaining historic commercial building. Built in 1911 as a branch of the Baxley Banking Company, it initially served as the town’s only bank until it closed in 1922. It then operated as the town’s post office from 1926 to 1960. The building was as sweet potato storage and has since fallen into disrepair.
It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 2003.
The Penny Savings Loan and Investment Company is located at the corner of James Brown Boulevard and Laney-Walker Boulevard. The bank was founded on September 10, 1910, by prominent Black businessmen. The bank’s initial success led to the construction of this three-story building in 1925. Designed by noted architect G. Lloyd Preacher, it served as an anchor of the “Golden Blocks” Business District. Unfortunately, the bank closed in 1928 due to financial struggles.
The building has largely been vacant since its closure.
Chris “Mac Daddy” Kelly (1978–2013) was one half of the legendary ’90s rap duo Kris Kross, known for their 1992 hit “Jump.” Discovered by Jermaine Dupri at the Greenbriar Mall in Atlanta, Georgia, Chris Kelly and Chris “Daddy Mac” Smith became instant icons with their signature backward clothes. At the time, they were the youngest duo to break into hip-hop.
Unfortunately, his life was cut short in 2013 due to drug overdose. His final resting place is in Westview Cemetery.
The black-and-white image is courtesy of Wikipedia.
Wayman Chapel AME Church was founded in May 1867 and built in 1882. It is named after Bishop Alexander Wayman, the seventh bishop of the AME Church.
The church’s striking architecture, featuring classic Gothic Revival elements, honors “Mother Bethel,” the founding AME church in Philadelphia. The church is still active today.
The Second Empire House is on Broad Avenue, on the edge of downtown Albany. Built in 1889, it was built for Samuel Farkas, a Hungarian immigrant who came to the United States to work for his uncle, who was setting up dry goods stores in Albany. He became a successful businessman, and his wealth was estimated to be over $350,000 (almost $11 million today) when he died in 1915.
The Canton Theatre opened in 1911 and showed silent films. It was renamed “The Bonita” in the 1920s and renamed again “The Haven.” In the late 1930s, the Martin-Thompson Theatre Company acquired it, remodeling it in the Art Deco style and restoring its original name. After several years as a successful movie house, the theater closed in the 1970s. The town of Canton acquired the theater and reopened it in the 2000s.
