Ladson Genealogical Library

06/01/2026

Mystery Monday Answer: The correct answer would be the Georgia Power Office! The building faces Hwy 280 and it was later purchased by Southern Davis Office Supply. Now under new owners, we can't wait to see how the building will be utilized. Thanks for all the great guesses!

Mystery Monday: Alright everyone, leave your guess below!

05/27/2026

Tattnall Journal (Reidsville) 1936-1974 is now available thanks to the Digital Library of Georgia and funding proviced by the Georgia Public Library Service.

We have released several newly digitized newspaper titles over the spring. Check out the list at the link in the comments.

05/26/2026

05/25/2026

Mystery Monday Answer: You guys had some great guesses! The photograph is of the house originally built by James McNatt, which burned during the 1950's. The area was then developed as the Forest Hill Circle subdivision. From what we have heard, the large square columns on the house contained access points that could be used for additional storage. Please keep in mind that last part has not been confirmed. If anyone remembers please let us know!

05/23/2026

We will be closed this coming Monday in observance of Memorial Day.

05/18/2026

Answer: This was the second First Methodist Church to be built in Vidalia. Completed in 1920 it served the congregation until it was demolished in 1972 to make way for a larger more modern building. It was located on Church Street and was replaced by the current structure which was added onto the education center.
Mystery Monday: Here is a lovely old church that is no longer with us but tell us what is was and where it was if you know.

05/11/2026

Answer: This one was clearly too easy for you guys, great job! This building was located downtown right beside the train overpass.

Mystery Monday: We removed the exterior signs to make this one a little more difficult. Take a peak at the bottom left of the image for the street signs if you need a hint.

05/04/2026

Mystery Monday Answer. This was a hard one since the photo is from the 1920's and you all had a lot of good guesses.
Vidalia was home to the Chero-Cola Bottling Plant, which was located on Third Street, West in the early 1900's. The Chero-Cola drink was invented in 1910 and before 1917 there was a bottling plant open in Vidalia. Chero-Cola was heavily advertised in the 1917 Official Directory of Vidalia with the slogan "THERE'S NONE SO GOOD." It was promoted as a restful, healthful, and delightful drink that was served "the sanitary way" at soda founts and refreshment stands—"In a Bottle through a Straw" Coca-Cola sued Chero based on the name similarity in the early 1920's and by 1923 the name Chero-Cola was no more and they switched to the better known and fruit flavored Nehi. Later they became the Royal Crown or RC Cola Company and maintained a bottling plant in Vidalia for a long time. Did you learn something new about Vidalia with this week's Mystery? Do you have anything to share on Chero-Cola and it's history in Vidalia? We would love to hear about it.

04/27/2026

Mystery Monday Answer: The original Bethany Home for Women opened on July 4, 1923 with the seven residents shown below. A non-profit organization, the home was sponsored by the Primitive Baptist Church but took in ladies of all denominations. A facility in Millen housed the men in the former Cleveland Thompson Hospital. Congrats to Ms. Mona Crabb Jones for guessing correctly!

Mystery Monday: Does anyone recognize the house? We think this one might stump everyone! Prove us wrong in the comments below.

04/23/2026

This Throwback Thursday as we look up at the Blue Angels practicing over Vidalia we wanted to post an aerial view from 1929. Do you recognize the circled location from Monday's Mystery?