real estate

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.
Kelli Paradise Smith, the Superior Court Clerk of Oglethorpe County, said the Filing Activity Notification System (FANS) could help a property owner avoid scams that could cost them their home. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Kelli Paradise Smith, the Superior Court Clerk of Oglethorpe County, said the Filing Activity Notification System (FANS) could help a property owner avoid scams that could cost them their home. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

New alert system designed to protect property owners

Emily Lupo
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
The Oglethorpe County Superior Court Clerk’s office is promoting a new system to help protect local property owners from deed theft — a system even the clerk is using herself.
Jason Bernstein, an owner of Bernstein & Co. Realty, said there were about 30 homes on the market in Oglethorpe County in early November, which means it remains a seller’s market. (Celia Lovell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Jason Bernstein, an owner of Bernstein & Co. Realty, said there were about 30 homes on the market in Oglethorpe County in early November, which means it remains a seller’s market. (Celia Lovell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Q&A: Agent says housing supply equals seller’s market

Celia Lovell
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Real estate agent Jason Bernstein sees buyers interested in Oglethorpe County for land acreage and the ability to leave the city. Bernstein co-owns Bernstein & Co. Realty, a firm that works with sellers and buyers in Oglethorpe County and Northeast Georgia.
Wingate Downs converted his photography studio into a cabin called Oak Ridge Lodge. It and the surrounding 20 acres have become a popular destination for wedding and fans of Georgia football opponents. (Submitted Photo)

Wingate Downs converted his photography studio into a cabin called Oak Ridge Lodge. It and the surrounding 20 acres have become a popular destination for wedding and fans of Georgia football opponents. (Submitted Photo)

Oglethorpe County rentals growing in popularity

Mackenzie Tanner
Thursday, December 2, 2021
Jim Cabaniss’ 7,200-square-foot home in Stephens is so popular it's booked from next May through August.   “I am drawing out-of-state people, nobody from Georgia,” he said.