Historic Preservation

Ronnie Boggs (left) and Ashley Simpson stand with the portraits of Thomas and Anne Goulding last month. They have returned to Lexington after a 10-year absence.

Ronnie Boggs (left) and Ashley Simpson stand with the portraits of Thomas and Anne Goulding last month. They have returned to Lexington after a 10-year absence.

Decade-long effort brings historic Goulding portraits back to Lexington

Molly Moore
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
For ages, two weathered faces lingered quietly in a small church lobby in Oglethorpe County, until their disappearance pushed a local historian’s search for answers.  After nearly a year of restoration and more than a decade of advocacy, the 1843 portraits of Rev.
The upstairs of the factory building was partially insulated for an apartment, and part of it has exposed brick walls and large windows. This is part of the Historic Jefferson Mill property in Crawford that went up for sale in October of 2025 for $1.6 million. (Makenna Reavis/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The upstairs of the factory building was partially insulated for an apartment, and part of it has exposed brick walls and large windows. This is part of the Historic Jefferson Mill property in Crawford that went up for sale in October of 2025 for $1.6 million. (Makenna Reavis/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Historic mill seeks new owner and purpose

Makenna Reavis
Thursday, October 30, 2025
Jefferson Mill in Crawford is full of local history, and Gary Stacy hopes to keep it that way.  The building was built with brick made in Smithonia and was originally powered by a hydroelectric plant built at Watson Mill, giving it deep Oglethorpe County roots.
The Marigold Auditorium, a hub for community events, recently underwent renovations, including a new sign on the building, after receiving a grant through the Fox Gives initiative. “The Haunting of Hill House” will be held there this weekend. (Ansley Gavlak/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The Marigold Auditorium, a hub for community events, recently underwent renovations, including a new sign on the building, after receiving a grant through the Fox Gives initiative. “The Haunting of Hill House” will be held there this weekend. (Ansley Gavlak/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Marigold Auditorium to host first play since renovations

Ansley Gavlak
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
The Winterville Players have brought many years of performances to the Marigold Auditorium, but their latest show, “The Haunting of Hill House,” will be the first since major renovations were completed.
Philomath Presbyterian Church has been a prominent structure in Philomath since the mid 1800s. In the early 2000s, the Philomath Church Preservation Association was created to restore the church and its preserve its longstanding history. (Photo/Ansley Gavlak)

Philomath Presbyterian Church has been a prominent structure in Philomath since the mid 1800s. In the early 2000s, the Philomath Church Preservation Association was created to restore the church and its preserve its longstanding history. (Photo/Ansley Gavlak)

Beloved Philomath Presbyterian Church preserves history, unites community

Ansley Gavlak
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Driving along state Route 22, it’s hard to miss the historic buildings and Southern architecture on the two-lane road.  Stretching for just a mile in the southeastern corner of Oglethorpe County, the unincorporated community of Philomath might be small, but it carries a large history.
Rubble sits outside of 112 W. Main Street on Sept. 3, 2025 in Lexington, Georgia. The downtown commercial core is a part of Lexington's Downtown Master Plan aimed at revitalizing the city. (Photo/Mia Fishman)

Rubble sits outside of 112 W. Main Street on Sept. 3, 2025 in Lexington, Georgia. The downtown commercial core is a part of Lexington's Downtown Master Plan aimed at revitalizing the city. (Photo/Mia Fishman)

Lexington’s master plan reveals blueprint for revamping notable properties

Mia Fishman
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
 CORRECTION: Information was incorrect about which organization had invested funds into the restoration of the Historic Oglethorpe Jail in the Sept. 11, 2025 print edition of The Oglethorpe Echo. The correct information is in the story below.