Historic Landmarks
Lavonia is proud to have three residential and one commercial National Register Districts within the city limits. One of the unique assets of Lavonia is the fact that the town square is virtually unchanged from the original design of the town. Most of the buildings that were built in the late 1800's and early 1900's are still standing and in "near original" design and appearance.
Two historical books are available from Lavonia Historic Preservation.
- Lavonia Gem of the Piedmont
- Then and Now
Following are highlights from just a few of these historical landmarks:
Lavonia Carnegie Library
In March 1909, the Woman's Club petitioned Mr. Andrew Carnegie and the town council for the erection of a building to house what would eventually become known as a library. Mr. Carnegie granted $5,000 for erection of a building with the council providing $500 a year for ten years for books and upkeep. Thereafter, the city was to have complete control. The present Carnegie Library was completed in 1911. Mr. R.T. Poole donated the lot for the construction site and the first Library was started. On October 1, 1974, the Lavonia Carnegie Library became a branch of the Athens Regional Library for operating purposes.
The Library is located on Highway 77, south - just down the road from the Post Office. Visitors are encouraged to stop by and visit this historic landmark. Although the facility is of a historic nature, operations of the library have kept time with changes in today’s technology oriented society.
Lavonia Depot
The coming of the railroad was the beginning of the town of Lavonia. The depot was the center of the town at that time, being located in front of Weldon Park which houses the Gazebo. Around 1909 the women of the town decided the depot was spoiling the beauty of their little city so they petitioned to have it moved to its current location on East Main Street. However, rather than move the old depot it was torn down and moved to Vanna, Georgia for their use and a new facility was constructed for Lavonia. In 1910, the current facility was ready for use and the first freight unloaded in the new freight office was a crate of cabbage shipped to W.S. Haley.
Currently the Depot houses the Lavonia Welcome Center, is home to the Lavonia Downtown Development Authority and Better Hometown Program, and serves as headquarters for the Lavonia Chamber of Commerce. Also, several civic organizations utilize the small room on the ground floor as a meeting room. The Depot will undergo an exterior renovation in 2010. Future plans call for the large meeting room (and former freight area) to become a Land of Spirit Museum.
Burgess Cemetery
Burgess Cemetery, also referred to as Lavonia City Cemetery, was named for Mr. Abner Burgess. Mr. Burgess, one of the founders of Lavonia, donated a little over an acre of land to create Lavonia's cemetery. Today the cemetery contains over 29 acres and continues to be maintained by the City of Lavonia.
In summer 2009 the first Burgess Cemetery Tour was conducted by the Lavonia Historic Preservation Commission. Later in 2009, the HPC was awarded a Cemetery Grant for the purpose of producing a Burgess Cemetery Brochure. It is currently under development and should be complete by 2010. Maps, with identified grave sites, may be seen at the Depot Welcome Center or Lavonia City Hall.
Unusual Happenings from Lavonia Gem of the Piedmont, compiled by the late Marie Haley Williams in 1977, reports this incident:
A Gypsy died in a gypsy camp near Knox Bridge on August 17, 1908, and was buried in Burgess Cemetery. She was born in England almost a hundred years ago. . .and had been in USA almost 50 years. For many years thereafter when a number of her clan died, the remains were brought to Lavonia for burial to be near their Gypsy Queen. Many times the clan would take a week in arriving for the burial of one of their members. The last group to gather was in town for almost a week, arriving in limousines with leopard skin upholstery and diamonds galore.
Apparently, the last of the Queen's Clan was laid to rest as there have been no more pilgrimages since the 1930's.
Information on future Cemetery Tours may be obtained from Vivian Young at 706-356-8202. Those interested in purchasing cemetery lots at Burgess Cemetery may contact Angie Greer at 706-356-8781.
Old Lavonia Elementary School
The Old Lavonia Elementary School, located on Highway 77, south and directly behind the Carnegie Library, was constructed in 1940. Later, in 1970, an annex to the elementary school and lunchroom were built on the site of the old high school building and in 1956 an annex was built on a corner of the athletic field as a part of the Elementary School building. Today the facility houses the Head Start Program and for the past two years portions of the old school have been turned into a winter wonderland when Christmas Around the World is produced by the After School Outreach Program as a fundraising project.
Vocational Freezer Locker and Canning Plant
Across the street from the Old Lavonia Elementary School, on Highway 77 south, is the Vocational Building constructed in 1944. Originally the front rooms were used for classes and the shop, freezer locker, and canning plant were in the rear. After consolidation of the county high schools in 1964 classes were no longer held, but the facility remained as a canning plant. Still operated by the Franklin County Agriculture Teachers, the canning plant is in operation each summer and is available for use by area citizens. Visitors are welcome to tour the cannery when it is in operation during summer months.
Bank of Lavonia Buildings
In 1895, the Bank of Lavonia was organized. In 1898, they built a new structure on the corner of Grogan Street and East Main Street. It had a beautiful marble front with intricate design around the door and windows. The building still stands as a tribute to the fine workmanship during that era. Currently the facility houses Sassa-Frass Beauty Salon at 1174 East Main Street.
In 1920 a new facility was erected on the corner of Grogan and West Main Street and the Bank moved into new quarters. The bank remained in Lavonia until 1926. Currently, the 1920 facility is unoccupied after having served the community with several restaurant businesses. This facility was used extensively in the filming of the movie Cobb.
Vandiver Home
Located on Highway 77 south, toward Hartwell, is the home of the late Samuel Ernest Vandiver, Jr., former Governor of the State of Georgia. His wife, Betty Russell Vandiver still resides in this historic home originally built by the Yow family. Governor Vandiver served the State of Georgia as: Adjutant General; Civil Defense Director; Lieutenant-Governor; and, in 1958 was elected as Governor.
Upon completion of his term as Governor, the Vandiver family returned to their home, Twin Hollies, on Hartwell Road where Governor Vandiver lived until his death in 2005.