What Was Home

By Beth Yarbrough

A view from the interior of everyone's favorite old homeplace, The Nolan House near Bostwick, Georgia.

As compelling as the exteriors of these houses are, the interiors can be even more so. Today we will tour the inside of the Nolan place through the lens of photograher Scott Farrar, of DSF Photography, who was fortunate enough to spend extended time there.

He titled this first image "What Was Home". Where there once was a mantel in this parlor, now only a gaping brick hole remains. The house was built just after the turn of the 20th century - some time around 1910.

Abandonment notwithstanding, light still floods this room just as the builder intended.

Most likely the Nolan house had "twin parlors" - two large front rooms opening off of each side of a wide center entrance hall. This view crosses all three spaces, providing beautiful perspective - and a distance view of the empty fireplace wall from the top photo.

Farrar's thoughtful treatment of these images conveys respect for the great bones and lovely light that still abides here - even though this house has long since ceased to be a home.

Even in the wide upstairs hall, the light dances. Farrar's perspective highlights a gorgeous green ceiling and a beautifully scaled space.

The Nolan family operated a farm here from 1856 until some time around 1970. The house featured here was actually the second family home, replacing the first farmhouse which was just south of this one. The farm itself consisted of a commissary (Nolan's Store) and several farm structures - including tenant homes. The old store still stands on the corner across the road.

When I began roaming the South many years ago, this house was one of the first to capture my attention, and I soon discovered that I was not alone. Photographers such as Farrar and Georgia’s Steve Robinson, along with many others, had been there before me. Preservationists everywhere - including my friend, Scott Reed , - had been advocating for its rescue.

That journey continues, in fits and starts, with the proverbial two steps forward and three back. And yet the affair with this old house remains.

For a long while, it appeared as if this grand old lady was on her way toward the Georgia sunset. Abandoned and vulnerable, her graceful interiors stood open to the elements. Photographers for years would pay visits, helpless to do anything other than record her decline and post pleas for help on photo-sharing sites like Flickr and Instagram.

Then a few years ago, it appeared that the tide had turned. The Madison-Morgan Conservancy began efforts to preserve not only the house but the entire crossroads as an important piece of Georgia history.

The Conservancy secured the property from vandals and threats from Mother Nature. They had also begun using Nolan Crossroads as a teaching tool for area students and civic groups - opening the site for educational visits.

I truly thought the old place was now in safe territory, but over the past couple of years, new alarming photos from those who try to keep an eye out seemed to be indicating that the decline and neglect had crept back in.

Every photographer who cares an ounce for our vanishing Southern landscape has photographed this house, posted its plight, and begged for help. I am only one of many. Yet we seem to be banging our heads against the proverbial brick wall. Owners appear unwilling to sell, those close by appear powerless, and time advances.

Not every story has a happy ending. Sometimes we try and fail. Sometimes no one tries, and a helpless chorus falls on deaf ears. This place deserves better. I hope for a happy ending here. For as long as it takes, and until the last rafter falls, I will still hope. You are welcome to join me.

The last photo, below, is one of my own, taken in 2018. I have no current contact information for anyone in a position to help this place, but if any of you do, please speak up and let me know. It can’t hurt.