Rodgers-Buchanan Farm, House, State Highway 3/U.S. Highway 19, Lower Five Points Road and Cornwell Road, Sumter

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS GA-40-A. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

This district consists of a historic farmhouse w th its associated outbuildings and pecan groves. The structures are located on approximately 465 acres of farmland historical y associated with the farmhouse and the Rodgers and Buchanan fam lies. The Folk Victorian farmhouse and outbuildings are located among t an extensive grove of continuously cultivated pecan trees, many of w ich date to the mid- This farm is significant architecturally s a good example of a Folk Victorian farmhouse. In addition to the mhouse and the collection of outbuildings provide a good exam le of farm complexes prevalent in Southwest Georgia during the late neteenth and early twentieth centuries. In addition, the pecan gro es are important examples of early efforts of crop diversificatio in the state.

Description: The wooden framed, hipped roof main house is a Georgian Cottage with Folk Victorian and Greek Revival elements. T e house presents a three bay fac;:ade, composed of a central, double door with a single six over six double hung window on either side. Th four panel entry doors are framed by an eight light transom and narro three pane side lights. This arrangement is topped by a low pediment rown with Greek Revival "ears". This decorative crown is repeat d on the front windows. The house is raised on brick piers with brick lat "ce work infill. There are four exterior chimneys constructed of brick ith corbelled brackets at the tops. The Folk Victorian elements have b en applied to the porch.

The front porch contains four flat jig sawn supp These feature inset diamond shaped motifs, with a five point start c tout for the "capitals". Other porch details include jig sawn spandrel hr ckets as well as a balustrade. History: The Sumter County Architectural History urvey mentions as the date of construction for the main house. It w s therefore built around the same time that the adjacent Southwes em railroad line was extended southward from Americus. This prope y has been retained in RODGERS-BUCHANAN FARM, HOUSE HABS GA-40-A (PAGE 2) the same family since James M. Rodgers first purchased the seminal 160 acres from Miles M. Wimbish of Montgomery County, Alabama in This purchase is documented by the original deed, which is still in the family's possession.

The land passed to the Buchanan family when Rodger's daughter, Kate, married George E. Buchanan at the tum of the century. Mr. Buchanan founded a general store in Americus, and used the farm to provide goods such as cane sugar and meat for sale in town. George Buchanan was also responsible for planting the extensive, terraced groves of pecan trees beginning around

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS GA-40-A. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Sharman Southall GDOT Architectural Historian Office of Environment and Location Georgia Department of Transportation Aviation Circle Atlanta, Georgia RODGERS-BUCHANAN FARM, HOUSE HABS No. GA-40-A (Page 3) RODGERS-BUCHANAN FARM, HOUSE HASS No. GA-40-A (Page 4) l . t RODGERS-BUCHANAN FARM, HOUSE HASS No. GA-40-A (Page 5) Plan Sketch of Rodgers-Buchanan Farm Drawn March 22, By: David Ray