Commerce, GA – Jackson County – There’s far more to Commerce than the Tanger Outlet Mall at the exit off I-85! Lots of history in the city of Commerce – and some great old homes. Commerce was founded in 1818, and was known as Harmony Grove. The railroad contributed to the growth of Commerce, and it runs right through the middle of town (literally). Harmony Grove Mills was started in 1893 and the town continued to grow as a textile center. The town was the setting for a book, and home to a Georgia Governor.
Commerce is the setting for “Cold Sassy Tree” by Olive Ann Burns
Fun Commerce Fact: Home of the first school for girls in Georgia, established 1824
Now, let’s go see some houses! Many of the homes in town reflect the major growth in the city after 1900. Looking around town, I immediately want to check out this Victorian cottage.
Love the details on the outside, but enjoy the inside of this house. Looking at the stained glass, and the woodwork that provides privacy to the staircase from the foyer. I haven’t seen one like this before!
Now I always love finding out about big old houses, and this 1897 home below is the Dr. Hardman mansion. More on Hardman in just a minute. This house is nearly 7,000 square feet. 8 bedrooms, and a 3rd floor ballroom! To get an idea of the size of this house, the columns are about 30 feet high.
The 1870 Daughtry House was one of the finest in town when built. See the odd placement of windows? Those are along the staircase going upstairs. It’s most recently been an event facility.
I love big white-columned houses, but can sure appreciate a cottage. Love the detailing on the porch on this one! And the tin roof!
This fine home below, I don’t have any information on it! I just love the look of it, and the neat shape of the porch.
Now the house below was a wallpaper school for a long time, although now it’s a private residence. Built around 1900, it’s got some fantastic details inside. Another really big house – it’s about 6,000 SF. It’s for sale ($699,000 last I checked).
I love the paint job on this house below! It’s the Harber House, which has been a Bed and Breakfast in the past. Love the porch! I posted this picture on Instagram, and turns out someone who saw it used to take ballet lessons there when she was a kid!
Now remember how I said Commerce was home to a Governor? Governor L.G. Hardman was a 2 term Governor in the late 1920s. Imagine being Governor right after all the cotton crop failures due to boll weevil. Then add the stock market crash and Great Depression that began in 1929. He was 70 years old when re-elected, becoming the oldest Governor elected in the state’s history.
Now let’s see the Governor L.G. Hardman House. It’s sorta Mediterranean and Craftsman all at once, and sits on about 5 acres right in town. It was built in the early 1920s. Talk about a house being built strong – the walls are said to be 18 inches thick, and there’s a shelter in the storm cellar. I heard this house is getting new owners, and can’t wait to see what they do with it.
There’s much more to Commerce than the outlet mall! Thanks so much for reading the blog, I really appreciate it!
