Grayson History
Historic Grayson, Georgia
by Beth Johansen
Compliments of Home Front Publications
Evidence of the rich history of Grayson can be found in the names of our schools and on the signs marking our roads, buildings and churches. The names; McConnell, Bennett, Brand, Chandler, Ethridge, Jacobs, Tribble, Cooper, Britt and more, reach out from the past and on into our future. The great grandchildren of our founding fathers remain among us and play vital roles in our current business, worship, politics and social events.
Although it took the foresight of men like James Patterson McConnell, town founder, and John E. Jacobs, Grayson’s first mayor to actually establish what has become known as Grayson, our history does not begin there. It was the foresight of others that brought these men to this area where the land upon which we stand became available for settlement.
The rich lands of Gwinnett County, Georgia were home to the Lower Creek and Cherokee Indians many thousands of years before the first European settlers set foot on them. In February 1784 Franklin County, which is now part of Gwinnett, was opened for settlement. A State Legislation Act that fixed the price of land at 3 shillings an acre and limited settlers to 1000 acres maximum opened the area. Land Lotteries and other legislation later governed the distribution. Lands east of the Appalachee River became Gwinnett County in December of 1818. Gwinnett and Walton Counties were surveyed from the natural “Rockbridge” on the Hightower Trail in 1819.
Our Southern part of Gwinnett County, which would later become the city of Grayson, was formed on either end of what is now considered Grayson. The New Hope or Tribble’s Mill area and the Haynes Creek or Midway Area were thriving settlements in the early to middle nineteenth century.
The McElvaney family operated Bay Creek post office in their mill. In 1877 Georgia Militia District was created and the Grayson area was named Bay Creek District. There is no doubt it was named for the creek that runs through the district which is lined with native Bay trees. New Hope Methodist Episcopal Church (now New Hope United Methodist) was organized around 1829. Its cemetery is a testament to the nameless pioneers of our area, some graves being marked and some not. The Billue’s, Brands, Chandlers, Robinson’s, Jacobs, McConnell’s, Pratt’s, and others are among some of the church’s first members.
Haynes Creek Primitive Baptist Church was constituted in April of 1826. The area around the church was settled by the Ford, Cooper, Rawlins, Jackson, Webb, Jacobs, Brand, Williams, Rutledge, Baggett, Kilgore, Knight, Smith, Summerlin,Langley, Baugh, Head, Petty, Oliver, Palmer, and Hawthorn families. Nearer the present day Summit Chase Golf Course was a school named Midway and one farther named Campground. School and church offered a great respite from isolated farm life in the nineteenth century.
The Billue and McConnell families settled the area that we all know as the city of Grayson. About 1836 these families came from Tennessee to Gwinnett County. Stephen Billue was the first to settle here, followed by his parents Thomas and Margaret Beattie Billue. About 1837 Tilford McConnell and Nancy Billue McConnell followed her brother and her parents to this area in southern Gwinnett County.
Tilford McConnell and Nancy Billue were married in Blount County, Tennessee in 1829. Tilford McConnell was the son of Moses and Elizabeth Draper McConnell. Both Tilford and Nancy McConnell are descendents of Revolutionary War veterans. After the death of Nancy Billue McConnell in 1867, Tilford married Mary E. Harris. There were no children from this second marriage.
The 10 children of Tilford and Nancy Billue McConnell were; William Thomas, Moses, Andrew C., Elizabeth S. (Mrs. Howell C. Head), Mary E., Philo W., Sarah C. (Mrs. John E. Kennerly), Robert T., John Calvin, and James Patterson. Moses and James Patterson both left lasting legacies on the City of Grayson.
In the early 1880’s Reverend James Patterson McConnell and his wife, Susan Arendell McConnell, bought 80 acres of land from his Uncle Stephen Billue. He built his own home and a frame store building near the intersection that is now the center of Grayson. In his store he was able to get a Post Office established, with himself as first Postmaster. The first Post Office was established on April 5, 1881, it was given the name “Trip” at the suggestions of J.D. Spence, a leading merchant and public figure at Lawrenceville.
While the man who served as Grayson’s first mayor, John E. Jacobs, was Postmaster, he wrote to the Post Department requesting that our town name be changed to Berkeley. An Act by the General Assembly of Georgia approved and Berkeley was incorporated December 16, 1901. Mr. Jacobs was then informed that another town named Berkeley was incorporated in Georgia, so he suggested Graymont, because of the clear view of Stone Mountain from the center of town. The Post Office Department already had a Post Office named Graymont. Faced with trying again, John E. Jacobs was inspired by a letter, which came from Mrs. Ada McConnell Jacobs (his wife) who was visiting McConnell relatives in Grayson County, Texas. The name “Grayson” interested Mr. Jacobs, so he tried again. “Grayson, Town of, Incorporated. An Act No. 182, by the General Assembly of the State of Georgia, Approved December 17, 1902” changed our name to Grayson. The first Aldermen to serve the newly established city were J.P. McConnell, W.P. Williams, J.S. Pate, A. Bennett and W.J. Tribble.
Grayson grew quickly and attracted merchants, a railway, settlers, educators and religious leaders. With the increase in settlement, schools and churches began to establish themselves in order to serve the community.
“Trip” Academy served as the first school in Grayson. Prior to 1881 and from the War of the 1860’s or earlier, the only education provided for the children of Grayson area was in a log cabin with “stick and mud” chimney, which stood near the south edge of Chestnut Grove Cemetery. Soon after 1900, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows joined with others to erect a two-story frame structure on the same lot where Grayson Elementary School now stands. The lot for Grayson School was given by Mr. Moses McConnell, grandfather of the children of Mr. and Mrs. John Elery Jacobs “for so long as the land is used for school purposes.”
In 1913 a Bond Issue by the citizens of Grayson provided funds for a two-story brick veneered building. It was later extended and expanded when our school became a Consolidated School, Grayson High School. Grayson High School would have faced closing down for lack of funds, except for love of the school and the generosity of Mr. John Elery Jacobs, a member of the Local Board of Trustees for over twenty years. Mr. Jacobs paid all expenses for operation of Grayson High School for one year. He was repaid when funds became available. Education quality has never faltered in Grayson. Mr. Herring, Albert Henderson,and Mr. Dyer all helped Grayson School florish through the twentieth Century. In 1956 Grayson High School was consolidated into South Gwinnett High School. The two-story brick veneered building was replaced with the present Grayson Elementary School structure. The Grayson High School bell was a 1913 gift to Grayson High School by 9th District Congressman, Thomas M. Bell. Twenty-five Grayson citizens paid for ownership of the bell and placed it in front of Grayson Elementary School where it can still be seen today. A lasting testament to the Old Grayson High that so many love and cherish.
The L & L Railroad came to Grayson December 1, 1898 and carried passengers, mail and freight on two round trips daily through Grayson from Lawrenceville to Loganville. When the trains were running, from 1898 to January 1932, they were a big part of life for Grayson citizens. The old depot area can still be seen between Britt and Gym Streets. Seaboard Air Line Railroad bought up all the stock in the L & L’s parent company according to records in the Seaboard Railroad Jacksonville Office. Jennings Dunnagan remembers ladies lining the tracks, with tears in their eyes, on the last run through Grayson.
Chestnut Grove Baptist Church, organized 1850 and has served Grayson faithfully since. Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church South (later named Grayson United Methodist Church) organized under a brush arbor in 1884. Grayson Baptist Church (later named First Baptist Church of Grayson) organized April 4, 1913. Churches, now as then, are a big part of daily life in Grayson.
As if naming the city was not difficult enough, establishing and keeping a post office proved to be just as demanding. Grayson citizen, Tom Moore (husband of Ponnie McConnell), learned that the Postal Authorities intended to close Grayson’s post office. He lobbied to spare the city’s postal service and provided a building to house it. The new post office was dedicated and an Open House held on July 12, 1964. Former Grayson Postmasters: James P. McConnell, John E. Jacobs, John W. Ethridge, Mrs. G.L. Webb, Walter T. Britt, John C. Wayne and Nancy Beck. Rural Carriers: George Wesley Gouge, Sam Rawlins, and Lamar Cooper. Barbara Britt Williams, Martha Britt Wayne, Jeanette Burton, Lucille Williams, Ruth Ethridge Gaffney and many others have all had a helpful hand in the U. S. Post Office in our town.
Historic Sites
Historic Sites and Notes of Interest
Prepared by: Steven P. Starling
City of Grayson Historian.
2299 Rosebud Road. The oldest congregation in the City of Grayson. The church was organized under an arbor in 1850 by 5 prominent men of the area. That was eleven years before the unpleasantness between the Northern and Southern states. In 1852 two acres of land were bought for two dollars. The first meeting house was located in the middle of what is now the extensive cemetery. It was a log structure which also served as the areas first school named Evergreen, evergreen trees still stand in the middle of the cemetery. This log structure was used until 1873. For the first 100 years services were held once a month. The older white church sanctuary dates before the 1900's. Rev. J. P. McConnell was licensed to preach and later ordained at this church. He served as pastor of this church several different times. It was told by Rev. McConnell’s granddaughter, Ponnie McConnell Moore about 1978 that this was the church where he also preached his last sermon. He couldn’t muster the strength to finish his sermon standing up. He stated at some point that day that if he could not stand in the pulpit to give a sermon then that was the last he would preach.
555 Grayson Pkwy. Fourteen charter members formed the beginning of Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, South under a brush arbor in 1884 and by 1885 they had built a simple wooden Church Sanctuary on an acre given by Mary and Margeret Billue (aunts of Rev. J. P. McConnell), “for so long as the property be used for religious worship” at that time the church and land were valued at $2000.00 dollars. At some point later a steeple with a bell was erected. The church’s name was later changed to Grayson Methodist Church, then Grayson United Methodist Church.
In 1911 the church started on a “Charge or Circuit” system with several area Methodist Churches. Some of those churches were Snellville, Zoar, Loganville, and New Hope, with services being held at each of the churches about once a month. Sunday School was held every Sunday and was a vital part of church and community life. As churches on the charge grew and could pay a full time pastor, they withdrew from the charge. Grayson and New Hope were the last two churches on the charge into the early 1970's. Many student pastors from Candler School of Theology served these churches, several progressing into high leadership roles in the North Georgia Conference.
The original church sanctuary was moved back from the original location at the intersection of Rosebud Rd. and Grayson Parkway in the 1950's or early 1960's. Men and women of the church labored after work farming or other jobs to construct a basement to house a fellowship hall and Sunday school rooms. Then the church was placed on top of this new basement when the church was moved back from the road. The original Sanctuary that was a beloved landmark in the community was demolished about 2004. When the church bell was removed prior to demolition, it was discovered that it had been put in place in its original shipping crate. It now sits near where the original church once stood.
In 1983 a Christian Life Center was erected to the delight and hard work of members. Before the demolition of the original Sanctuary a beautiful new church was built in 1993. The present church campus has grown tremendously in the last several years with further buildings and programs.
2142 Grayson-Lawrenceville Hwy. Although the original 1913 Church Sanctuary has been gone for many years, the bell from that building sits now in front of the present Church. The first meeting to form a new Baptist Church in Grayson was held on March 1st 1913. On April 4th 1913 the church was organized by a group of local citizens and three ordained Baptist ministers. This church has always had a great emphasis on missions. The original Sanctuary was built and dedicated by July 20th 1913. On September 28th 1969 the present Sanctuary was dedicated. The church recorded 133 members as of August 1954. Many more have joined this thriving congregation since then and many wonderful additions and programs have been added since then. On May 5th 2013 the church held its 100th anniversary celebration.
In 1911 the church started on a “Charge or Circuit” system with several area Methodist Churches. Some of those churches were Snellville, Zoar, Loganville, and New Hope, with services being held at each of the churches about once a month. Sunday School was held every Sunday and was a vital part of church and community life. As churches on the charge grew and could pay a full time pastor, they withdrew from the charge. Grayson and New Hope were the last two churches on the charge into the early 1970's. Many student pastors from Candler School of Theology served these churches, several progressing into high leadership roles in the North Georgia Conference.
The original church sanctuary was moved back from the original location at the intersection of Rosebud Rd. and Grayson Parkway in the 1950's or early 1960's. Men and women of the church labored after work farming or other jobs to construct a basement to house a fellowship hall and Sunday school rooms. Then the church was placed on top of this new basement when the church was moved back from the road. The original Sanctuary that was a beloved landmark in the community was demolished about 2004. When the church bell was removed prior to demolition, it was discovered that it had been put in place in its original shipping crate. It now sits near where the original church once stood.
In 1983 a Christian Life Center was erected to the delight and hard work of members. Before the demolition of the original Sanctuary a beautiful new church was built in 1993. The present church campus has grown tremendously in the last several years with further buildings and programs.
460 Grayson Parkway. Original site of Grayson High School. The original school was a 2 story wooden building that was built in 1900 by local lodge, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and local citizens. In 1913 a two story brick veneer school was built. First graduating class was 5 students in 1917. The land for Grayson School was given by Moses McConnell (brother of J. P. McConnell), “for so long as the land is used for educational purposes”.
The first “modern” school in the new town of Trip (Grayson) was Trippe Academy built in 1882. In 1923 the 2 story brick building and campus of Grayson High School was valued at $20,000.00 dollars. It had eight rooms, four cloak rooms, 2 sets of encyclopaedias, 2 toilets (probably outdoor privies), eight teachers, eleven grades, 200 students, and listed with no world globe.
Although the original 2 story brick building has been torn down since the late 1950's, when it was consolidated into the new South Gwinnett High School in 1957. The original bell from the school sits on the lawn of the present school building. The bell was presented to the Grayson High School in 1913 by 9th District Congressman, Thomas M. Bell. The bell was bought by 25 Grayson citizens and was erected on the lawn of the Grayson Elementary School in the late 1960's by the Grayson Lions Club, and dedicated to the community.
After Grayson High School was consolidated with South Gwinnett High School the two story brick building was replaced with the brick building that serves as Grayson Elementary School today. Grayson has always been known for excellence in education. Many students from all over the county boarded in Grayson in the early years of the 20th century to attend Grayson High School because of its eleven grades and quality of education.
In 1911 the church started on a “Charge or Circuit” system with several area Methodist Churches. Some of those churches were Snellville, Zoar, Loganville, and New Hope, with services being held at each of the churches about once a month. Sunday School was held every Sunday and was a vital part of church and community life. As churches on the charge grew and could pay a full time pastor, they withdrew from the charge. Grayson and New Hope were the last two churches on the charge into the early 1970's. Many student pastors from Candler School of Theology served these churches, several progressing into high leadership roles in the North Georgia Conference.
The original church sanctuary was moved back from the original location at the intersection of Rosebud Rd. and Grayson Parkway in the 1950's or early 1960's. Men and women of the church labored after work farming or other jobs to construct a basement to house a fellowship hall and Sunday school rooms. Then the church was placed on top of this new basement when the church was moved back from the road. The original Sanctuary that was a beloved landmark in the community was demolished about 2004. When the church bell was removed prior to demolition, it was discovered that it had been put in place in its original shipping crate. It now sits near where the original church once stood.
In 1983 a Christian Life Center was erected to the delight and hard work of members. Before the demolition of the original Sanctuary a beautiful new church was built in 1993. The present church campus has grown tremendously in the last several years with further buildings and programs.
located behind the Grayson Elementary School’s brick building. In 1930 the area schools were consolidated. Prior to that children of the close local communities were educated at small schools in their area. Some of these local community schools were Bay Creek, Roberts Academy, Harris Academy, Ozora, and Midway.
The Rock Building was built in 1946 of “Grayson granite” to house the lower grades as growth of the school increased. It was burned by arsonist in 1949. Many local citizens including Mr. Woodruff and W. J. Cooper started the rebuilding immediately with donated materials and labor. W. J. Cooper, Mayor of Grayson at the time and past member of Gwinnett County School Board, made sure classes were not interrupted long and they were held at local churches and anywhere large enough to accommodate them. W. J. Cooper died suddenly on February 14th 1946 and did not see the completion of the newly rebuilt building. The building was built by National Youth Association Labor supervised by Richard Dixon.
The first “modern” school in the new town of Trip (Grayson) was Trippe Academy built in 1882. In 1923 the 2 story brick building and campus of Grayson High School was valued at $20,000.00 dollars. It had eight rooms, four cloak rooms, 2 sets of encyclopaedias, 2 toilets (probably outdoor privies), eight teachers, eleven grades, 200 students, and listed with no world globe.
Although the original 2 story brick building has been torn down since the late 1950's, when it was consolidated into the new South Gwinnett High School in 1957. The original bell from the school sits on the lawn of the present school building. The bell was presented to the Grayson High School in 1913 by 9th District Congressman, Thomas M. Bell. The bell was bought by 25 Grayson citizens and was erected on the lawn of the Grayson Elementary School in the late 1960's by the Grayson Lions Club, and dedicated to the community.
After Grayson High School was consolidated with South Gwinnett High School the two story brick building was replaced with the brick building that serves as Grayson Elementary School today. Grayson has always been known for excellence in education. Many students from all over the county boarded in Grayson in the early years of the 20th century to attend Grayson High School because of its eleven grades and quality of education.
In 1911 the church started on a “Charge or Circuit” system with several area Methodist Churches. Some of those churches were Snellville, Zoar, Loganville, and New Hope, with services being held at each of the churches about once a month. Sunday School was held every Sunday and was a vital part of church and community life. As churches on the charge grew and could pay a full time pastor, they withdrew from the charge. Grayson and New Hope were the last two churches on the charge into the early 1970's. Many student pastors from Candler School of Theology served these churches, several progressing into high leadership roles in the North Georgia Conference.
The original church sanctuary was moved back from the original location at the intersection of Rosebud Rd. and Grayson Parkway in the 1950's or early 1960's. Men and women of the church labored after work farming or other jobs to construct a basement to house a fellowship hall and Sunday school rooms. Then the church was placed on top of this new basement when the church was moved back from the road. The original Sanctuary that was a beloved landmark in the community was demolished about 2004. When the church bell was removed prior to demolition, it was discovered that it had been put in place in its original shipping crate. It now sits near where the original church once stood.
In 1983 a Christian Life Center was erected to the delight and hard work of members. Before the demolition of the original Sanctuary a beautiful new church was built in 1993. The present church campus has grown tremendously in the last several years with further buildings and programs.
2299 Rosebud Road (on the church campus). The cemetery is held by the church and donations from families and friends of those buried there help keep it in good repair. Many of the older graves are marked but many are unmarked. It is unclear if the cemetery predates the formation of the church. Many prominent and old families are buried in the cemetery. Many of the names you see on roads, schools, and neighborhoods can be found resting in this cemetery.
The Rock Building was built in 1946 of “Grayson granite” to house the lower grades as growth of the school increased. It was burned by arsonist in 1949. Many local citizens including Mr. Woodruff and W. J. Cooper started the rebuilding immediately with donated materials and labor. W. J. Cooper, Mayor of Grayson at the time and past member of Gwinnett County School Board, made sure classes were not interrupted long and they were held at local churches and anywhere large enough to accommodate them. W. J. Cooper died suddenly on February 14th 1946 and did not see the completion of the newly rebuilt building. The building was built by National Youth Association Labor supervised by Richard Dixon.
The first “modern” school in the new town of Trip (Grayson) was Trippe Academy built in 1882. In 1923 the 2 story brick building and campus of Grayson High School was valued at $20,000.00 dollars. It had eight rooms, four cloak rooms, 2 sets of encyclopaedias, 2 toilets (probably outdoor privies), eight teachers, eleven grades, 200 students, and listed with no world globe.
Although the original 2 story brick building has been torn down since the late 1950's, when it was consolidated into the new South Gwinnett High School in 1957. The original bell from the school sits on the lawn of the present school building. The bell was presented to the Grayson High School in 1913 by 9th District Congressman, Thomas M. Bell. The bell was bought by 25 Grayson citizens and was erected on the lawn of the Grayson Elementary School in the late 1960's by the Grayson Lions Club, and dedicated to the community.
After Grayson High School was consolidated with South Gwinnett High School the two story brick building was replaced with the brick building that serves as Grayson Elementary School today. Grayson has always been known for excellence in education. Many students from all over the county boarded in Grayson in the early years of the 20th century to attend Grayson High School because of its eleven grades and quality of education.
In 1911 the church started on a “Charge or Circuit” system with several area Methodist Churches. Some of those churches were Snellville, Zoar, Loganville, and New Hope, with services being held at each of the churches about once a month. Sunday School was held every Sunday and was a vital part of church and community life. As churches on the charge grew and could pay a full time pastor, they withdrew from the charge. Grayson and New Hope were the last two churches on the charge into the early 1970's. Many student pastors from Candler School of Theology served these churches, several progressing into high leadership roles in the North Georgia Conference.
The original church sanctuary was moved back from the original location at the intersection of Rosebud Rd. and Grayson Parkway in the 1950's or early 1960's. Men and women of the church labored after work farming or other jobs to construct a basement to house a fellowship hall and Sunday school rooms. Then the church was placed on top of this new basement when the church was moved back from the road. The original Sanctuary that was a beloved landmark in the community was demolished about 2004. When the church bell was removed prior to demolition, it was discovered that it had been put in place in its original shipping crate. It now sits near where the original church once stood.
In 1983 a Christian Life Center was erected to the delight and hard work of members. Before the demolition of the original Sanctuary a beautiful new church was built in 1993. The present church campus has grown tremendously in the last several years with further buildings and programs.
2070 Rosebud Rd.The home was built sometime between the late 1880’s and 1890's and was originally owned by J. P. McConnell (who probably built it) until 1909. The town blacksmith and coffin maker, T. T. “Doc” Kennerly and his family lived there until 1938. The home has changed owners several times over the years. The Britt family lived in the home for several years until 1957 when the home was purchased by Doyle and Flora Kilgore Cox. Mr. Doyle Cox was killed in a tragic auto accident in 1968. “Mrs. Flora” lived in the home.
The City of Grayson bought the house in 2001.
On Grayson Arts and History Center grounds. If the walls of this simple little barber shop could talk, many tales would be retold, jokes cracked, and “problems of the world” solved. Mr. William Farmer built this barber shop in the front yard of his home after he sold his original shop to Janice Briscoe. It is a true Grayson “fixture” and landmark. The simple one room and one chair barber shop has hosted political figures and celebrities such as Lester Maddox and Don Knotts, among others. Mr. Farmer was one of Grayson School’s best school bus drivers. When the barbershop was in front of his home, you knew not to go during his bus route times. If you saw the bus in his yard you could probably get a haircut. Mr. Farmer donated the shop to the Grayson Arts and History Center after he retired and was planning to move to a new home. After being moved it has become an asset to the Center. Mr. Farmer left the shop’s interior as it had been during his career.
2112 Rosebud Rd. This home dates from the late 1880's to 1890's. Many families have lived in this home over the years, including the Langley family. Gordy Yancey owned this home until it was purchased by Hoyt and Bena Moon Greene in 1941. They moved to their new home in Grayson in a one horse wagon. Mr. Billy Greene and his sister Jean still live in the home. They are one of the few, maybe only native Main St. Grayson families still living in their original home.
The Cofer Home
516 Grayson Pkwy. John J. Cofer and his wife Effie Brooks Cofer bought this home in 1928. The home was probably built by J. P. McConnell in the late 1880s or 1890s. In 1922 Mr. Cofer was elected Justice of the Peace. The Cofer’s home has been the site of 100’s of marriages. Mr. Cofer joined the Masonic Lodge in 1913. He went for 27 years without missing a meeting. John J. Cofer served Grayson in most civic capacities. After the Cofer’s passed away, the house was rented for a couple of years then it became a Tea Room. After the Tea Room closed, Grayson House Restaurant opened as Grayson’s first “fine dining” restaurant with a wonderful reputation.They have made many eclectic changes to the home.
The H. T. Williams Home
512 Grayson Pkwy.. Henry Thomas and Annie Biffle Williams lived in this home. Mr. Williams was the brother of William Pittman Williams and Reubin Williams who were also local Grayson residents, civic leaders, and civic leaders. Also, these three Williams brothers were members of the large Pittman Williams family of Snellville. The home was probably built in the late 1880s or 1890s, most likely by J. P. McConnell. Many structural changes have been made to this home over the years. In the 1970s, the Carr family lived in this home and had the first swimming pool in Grayson.
Nix-Mason-Payne Home
660 Rock Springs Rd. It was the Henry A. Nix “home place”. Henry A. Nix was born in 1849 and died in 1924 This home dates among the earliest in Grayson, it was probably built around the 1870s. One of the children of Henry Nix was a prominent Gwinnett citizen, Col. O. A. Nix, who served in the Georgia House of Representatives and as a State Senator. The Wideman Mason family later purchased the home. Wideman Mason was a WWI veteran, civic leader, and farmer. He was still plowing his fields with his mule “Queen” until the early 1970’s. Wideman Mason’s wife, Maude Tanner Mason was known for her graham biscuits. The Payne family lovingly restored the home.
The Etheridge Home
480 Grayson Pkwy. The Calvin and Beuna Brooks Etheridge lived in this home. Mr. Calvin Etheridge owned a mercantile store on Main Street. The Etheridges were very generous to Chestnut Grove Baptist Church, donating land and other gifts The home was built around the 1900s. The Gwinnett County Board of Education now owns it. J.P. McConnell most likely built this home.
McConnell-Webb-Allen Home
2057 Grayson-Lawrenceville Hwy. It was built by J. P McConnell for his son Andrew “Uncle Buddy” McConnell in the mid to late 1890s. It is the foremost example of Victorian architecture left in Grayson today. The Andrew McConnell family moved from Grayson to the Stone Mountain area around 1909. Alexander and Cora Cooper Webb bought the property around 1910. After the death of Alexander Webb in 1941 and the death of Cora Cooper Webb in 1972 the home was rented several times. It was then purchased Steve and Patty Allen and family. They then sold the property around 2001. The home then housed as Noble Hall Gift Shop and now the Gwinnett School of Music. Most of the original doors, mouldings, mantels, and mill work are still intact. Unfortunately workman replaced the gazebo windows which used to be taller like the windows in the rest of the house. Alexander Webb was the son of Rev. Andrew J. Webb. Webb Ginn House Road is named that because it was the way farmers went to Rev. Webb’s cotton gin. Currently the home to Gwinnett School of Music.
McConnell-Webb Rock Barn
Located behind the McConnell-Webb Home. This barn sat is located near where the L&L Railroad tracks were. The barn was a livery stable for livestock, chickens, and other animals. Mr. Webb would house the animals in the barn if the owners were not there to receive them. It is very close to where J. P. McConnell’s store and home was, it could predate the building of the McConnell-Webb home.
Chupp-Britt Home
2047 Grayson-Lawrenceville Hwy. This home was renovated to the Bungalow Style before most homes in Grayson. It has a beautiful stained glass window in front, to the left of the front door. The Langley family and others have lived in this home. Mrs. Alice Cooper Chupp lived in the home until she got older and had to go to a care home. She died in 1964. She was the sister of Cora Cooper Webb. The Baily sisters lived there until they were older then the house was rented several times again. The home is now houses the Law Office of Pamela Britt and other offices.
Batchelor-Bennet Home
520 Grayson Pkwy. Sam Batchelor and his wife lived in this home in the early part of the 20th Century. The John and Floy Bennett family then lived in the home. The Troy Holcombe family, and the Omar Segers family also lived there in later years.
Fertilizer and Cotton Warehouse and Warehouse for the Railroad
2014 Britt Street. This building was built in the 1890’s and used as a fertilizer warehouse by Mr. W. V. Brownlee and also stored cotton. Thru the years it has housed many different uses, at one time a home improvement business and a coffin company. It is near where the passenger depot for the railroad was. It is the last building left in a once vital business section of Grayson. Grayson Cotton Gin was located across present intersection towards Grayson-Lawrenceville Hwy.
The Potato House Building
426 Grayson Pkwy. Originally the location of the Braselton Home. In the 1890’s or 1900’s this building once housed the Williams Brothers Store. In the 1940’s it was used as a curing and storing house for the Irish and sweet potatoes by local citizens. Mr. Lloyd Williams who was the Grayson High School agriculture teacher was in charge of this. Mr. Williams helped develop many projects for the young students of Grayson. This building is built of “Grayson Granite”.
John J. Cofer’s Store
424 Grayson Pkwy. John J. Cofer and wife Effie operated a store here opened in 1913. The store had an ice cream fountain in it when he bought it. He had bottled Coca-Colas delivered by wagon from Lawrenceville. He mixed cokes, root beer, and cherry drinks which sold for .05 cents, vanilla ice cream was a favorite and you could get 2 scoops for 10 cents. Before WWI Mr. Cofer’s brother, Robert operated a barber shop in the rear of the store. Mr. Cofer performed his first marriage as Justice of the Peace in front of the store in 1923. The couple w ere in a great hurry because they had run away to get married, so he sat on the edge of the car seat and they were married in the car. Mr. Cofer’s store stocked anything a small town mercantile store possibly could.
City Hall was housed in this building for many years then several other businesses have occupied the old store. It is also constructed of “Grayson Granite.”
Hoke Cown’s Store
422 Grayson Pkwy. This brick building, built by Jack Britt in 1947 was once Rance Martin’s service station. Byron Michell then operated a pool hall there. In later years, it was Hoke Cown’s junk store.
Old Grayson Post Office
420 Grayson Pkwy. The brick building was built in the 1960s by civic leader Mr. Tom Moore to be leased as the Grayson Post Office. This was the third Post Office. In recent years it has housed several cafes. The first Post Office was located across the street from Cofer’s Store. The second Post Office was in the old bank building located between Tom Down’s Barber Shop and McEtheridge’s Store. It is currently home to Berens Frozen Custard.
Bankston-Loveless Home
2172 Rosebud Rd. This home was the Bankston family house on a very nice farm. It was also lived in by the Jim Loveless family. The Cannon family lived there at one time also. The home dates to around the 1890s.
Gower-Swanson-Briscoe Home
579 Rock Springs Rd. The S. M. Gower family, then by Cordele and Josephine Swanson. In recent years it was the home of Rachael Briscoe. This home was most likely built in the 1880s or 1890s.
