Our Old Rock Building Will Be Saved

It looks as if our Old Rock Building will be saved after all! When lightning struck the building last year, it broke our community's heart. It is one of the few native-mountain-stone buildings in the state of Georgia. It's also on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic landmark, both for its status as one of the earliest consolidated high schools in the state, but also for its wonderful architecture. The building is representative of American Craftsman (or Arts and Crafts) architecture. The facade is Mission influenced. It was built "from the heart" by local construction workers who were proud of their job. Local citizens had several meetings to talk about how they might save the old building, if possible. Everyone wanted the building saved. The big fear was that tax money would be spent. Of course, no one wanted that. Now it appears that insurance generously covers the restoration of such a landmark. Grants should be forthcoming, as well. Some have expressed worries about rebuilding in such an economy. True, we are all hurting. But rebuilding The Rock will put our local construction laborers back to work and will heal our hearts. The Murray County School board is always great about using local labor. A central office is needed, and the property will make a fine complex for the future. Hurray for Murray County Board of Education!

Old Rock Building Prints

Chatsworth, Georgia: Old Rock Building ~

The prints of the Old Rock Building are back. They look good. They are trimmed and have no border, so my framing suggestion would be a gallery mount, leaving a white or off-white border between the print and the mat. Murray County Board of Education will sell the prints to raise funds for the renovation of the Old Rock Building, which is currently under way. The original art was an acrylic painting donated by D.K. Pritchett. You can see the art prints at Pat's Antiques in Chatsworth (posted date, current 06-30-07).

For more information on the Old Rock Building and why it is so special to Chatsworth, see the articles at southernmuse.com/rockbldg.html

FYI: The building is now called the V.C. Pickering Administrative Offices, but is affectionately known as the old rock building. As of 2004, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Murray County High School Historic District (District 04000628) 1004 Green St., Chatsworth, Georgia. After renovation, the building will be the central offices for Murray County Schools.