Small Town USA Resurrected

 

Today is the first outing of the season in Small Town, USA, Tennille, Georgia. When I was a child, Tennille was a thriving railroad town with a passenger train, the Nancy Hank. I remember taking a trip to Gordon on the train when I was in the 3rd grade. The Nancy Hank was a means of transportation to the big town of Macon, Georgia. On the weekends, I rode my bike to town to buy penny candy at the Tennille Food Center and an ice cream cone from Hartley's 5 and 10.  Big business pushed mom and pop right out the door along with penny candy, 3 family-owned grocery stores, two five and dime, 2 home-owned and operated hardware stores, two gas stations and two small department stores. In the 70's the Cotton Mill closed, the Passenger train was no longer in operation and Tennille became somewhat of a ghost town. 

Tennille, Ga is the highest point on the Central of Georgia Railroad between Macon and Savannah. Incorporated in 1875, the city was named for a former citizen, Mr. Francis Tennille. Before that it was named for the railroad station, Station No. 13. A new consignment/antique shop has been added, The Shoppes at Station 13.

 A few years ago, several new consignment shops opened and there were some signs of life. Once again the economy went south and only one business remained. However, a few people in the town refused to give up and fought hard to refurbish the store fronts and resurrect the city. 

I came home in January to find a small town that I loved, growing and thriving.  We now have a burger joint, called Smashed with the best burger in town.  One of my favorite appetizers is the Philly Steak and Cheese Egg Roll.  Yummy!  There is now a cute little, bee-bop 50's style ice cream shop that serves hot dogs and sandwiches.  The Trackside Pub has weekend live music and the menu is salads, sandwiches, pizza and the like.  The square now houses, a beauty salon, a gift shop, consignment shops and places to eat.  The local railroad still goes through the town transporting Kaolin from one place to another. The depot has been remodeled and a platform built for special events.  The little storefront is full of life.  At lunch today, I went to pick up a few things and couldn't find a parking spot.  What a nice problem to have.