I dearly remember when all activities of trade and business took place “Around the Square.” A memory is a photo taken by your heart. In my bank of memories, this photo is the mirage of the white Georgia marble courthouse standing in the middle of the square and dominating the four streets that formed the square. Let us take a trip around the square of the 1950s with first a bow to the most beautiful courthouse in Georgia. Actually, this title was once given to the Emanuel County Courthouse. We will start at the point where two continental highways cross. US One stretches from Maine to Key West, Florida. US Eighty reaches from the west coast to Tybee Island. Our tour starts at the red light where the two highways cross between the historical John C. Coleman Hotel and what was once Wimberly’s and later Black’s Pharmacies. At the end of this street was Davis Pharmacy. Smith and Spivey Hardware started the street facing back of the courthouse and filled in by Elliot’s, Western Auto, Central Bank and Herman Subotnick’s. Just off the square from there was Lewis Pharmacy and the well-remembered Lucile Lewis Lunch Wagon. The west side of the square was busy with Darling’s and United Five and Ten. Ehrlich’s and Rosenberg’s Department Stores, Harrison’s Pharmacy. A & P Grocery and Citizens Bank on the corner. On Saturdays the square was filled with folks from throughout Emanuel County who came to shop. The Boneyard was filled with autos, wagons, and buggies. All desires could be met “Around the Square”.
