Summerville, Georgia

he Chattanooga, Rome, and Columbus Railroad was built to Lyerly, Summerville, and Trion in 1889. The depot was constructed at that time. The railroad was merged into the Central of Georgia system in 1901. Sometime later the first depot burned and a second depot was constructed. This depot burned May 4, 1917. The current depot was then constructed and operated as a depot until the fifties. The Chattooga County Historical Society bought the depot in 1988. It was purchased to preserve as a historic site and serve as headquarters for the Society. The depot was placed on the National Historic Register of Historical Places in 1992. In 1998 the depot was used in the television movie Mama Flora’s Children an adaptation of author Alex Haley’s of Roots fame book about another branch of his family. In 2004 the depot was used in the filming of the HBO movie Warm Springs. The depot is open when steam excursion trains come down from Chattanooga to use the railroad turntable in Dowdy Park.

City of Summerville

n the serene landscapes of north Georgia, one would find monuments to early American history – few as compelling as the Couey House. Constructed in the 1840s by Andrew M. Solland Couey, this house stands as one of the first pioneer homes in Chattooga County. Its architectural marvel lies in the massive logs, each meticulously hoisted and carved into half dovetail ends, speaking of the craftsmanship of the era. Originally situated almost seven miles away in Dirt Town Valley near Tidings, the house symbolizes more than just architectural prowess. This structure, which once stood amidst a sprawling 400-acre farm yielding corn, cotton, and livestock, encapsulated the hopes and hardships of its inhabitants. Like many southern homes of its time, the War Between the States cast a shadow over the Couey House. Union soldiers, in their relentless march, seized supplies, leaving the residents in dire straits. Remarkably, in 2005, when the flames of time threatened to consume its legacy, the Summerville Fire Department intervened, saving the house from a total loss. It underwent restoration, with adjustments that brought its façade back to its early 1900s glory, reminiscent of the era chronicled by Chattooga County Historian, Robert S. Baker.

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum

ummerville’s railroad engine turntable is a landmark that will hopefully grace Dowdy Park for a century or more to come. The result of considerable vision, perseverance and patience, the turntable represents what people can accomplish not only with determination, but also with the help of the Lord for answers to prayer when the obstacles seemed insurmountable.

Originally conceived and developed in 1998 and 1999 by volunteers at Chattanooga’s Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, it was not until May, 2002 that support structure construction began. The winning bid by Simpson Construction of Cleveland, Tennessee was considered to be virtually miraculous because their bid of $300,000 was one half of the bids from the next two lowest bidders and one third of the highest bid. The project could not have been accomplished without Simpson’s low bid, yet it would be difficult to imagine a more competent and agreeable construction partner. Throughout the project, technical support from the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum was invaluable.

Construction was completed in the early months of 2003 at a total project cost of $688,000 including the turntable and its support structure, rehabilitation of the unloading track next to the depot, construction of the approach track, engineering, testing, project management, walkways, lighting, landscaping, and other features. With its completion it became the first turntable constructed in the Southeastern United States in many decades.

City of Summerville