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.
If you are a native of Macon, Georgia, you likely have driven past one of the structures designed by local builder Bartholomew Duhart. After driving by his multi-arched entrance at the Mosley and Jesus Mission of Love Holiness Church Cemeteries, I became interested in his work. Thankfully, Historic Macon had written about him, so I was able to learn more about him and where his structures still existed. I also researched to see what else I could discover about Duhart.
Duhart trained as a mason but took additional classes through his Masonry Union to further develop his skills. A profoundly spiritual man who was civically engaged, Duhart was an ordained minister who was involved in a variety of civic organizations. He gave back to the community by helping with church restorations. He also donated land for the building of a recreation center. This donation meant one of his creations, a multi-storied restaurant was demolished.
One of his buildings and a wooden edifice still exist on Columbus Road. The first is the In Spirit Saving Bank, and the other is the Praying Tower. They are built close to each other. Tax records indicate the bank was built in 1920, and I found a record of a land transfer to Duhart in May 1980. I am uncertain if Duhart built it from scratch or heavily modified the building. Much of his work featured circles or arches, which is apparent in this building’s design. Circles are a common feature in religions, most often interpreted as symbols of eternity. The building was most recently is restaurant but is currently unused.
The second structure is the Praying Tower. According to his family, this was supposed to be one of several installations that were going to be made. (Think Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden or St. Eom’s Pasaquan.)
Among architecture nerds, Alma, Georgia, is a must-stop for seeing the Mid-Century Modern bank, the Pineland Bank, formerly the Alma Exchange Bank. Founded on June 14, 1927, the Alma Exchange filled a critical need for the town of Alma, an acronym for Augusta, Louisville, Milledgeville, and Atlanta, Georgia’s capital cities. Many banks failed in early 1827 and Alma was one of the towns that lost their banking system.
On April 25, 1966, the current structure opened for business. It was the brainchild of the bank president, Mr. Valene Bennett, who was inspired by the futuristic architecture that he saw on a family trip to the World’s Fair in 1964.
The bank was fully restored in 2020 after Bennett’s sons, Paul and Lawrence, felt it was important to restore it to its former self. The Pineland Bank is now open in the space, and they keep the drive-thru open.
Abbeville County
Built in 1890, this building first served the community of Lowndesville as a bank and then a post office.
