Each building, just like each and every person, has its own history, taking on the character of the owners and tenants as they move in and out, each one leaving their mark.
Origins of the Building
As you probably already know, the Robertson County History Museum building began life as the Springfield Post Office, started in 1913 and completed in 1915. It was a sturdy building constructed by hearty men. The exterior walls are four bricks thick and built to last, outlasting the men who built it.
The Early Push for a New Post Office
In 1900, Susan Cheatham became postmaster/mistress and began the push for a new post office building.
“I neglected to say that we have no iron vaults or burglar-proof safe… in fact, nothing to place our money orders or stamps. We are forced by circumstances to carry our funds, stamps, and the like at night after closing to the bank, where, by permission of the cashier, we can place them for the night in his vaults.”
She organized support from the courts and community.
Community Consolidation
From 1903 to 1907, eleven other community post offices were closed and moved to Springfield. They were Ashburn, Barren Plains, Bob White, Coopertown, Crunk, Flewellyn, Hurbertville, Lamont, Milldale, Sandy Springs, and Youngville. Francis Robertson became postmaster/mistress in 1905.
Construction of the Springfield Post Office
After a decade of wading through the political process, construction of the new building began in 1913 at an estimated cost of $35,000 and $5,000 for the building site.
In 1914, Addie Davis Bell became the postmaster/mistress. On March 1st, 1915, the building was completed in the Academic Roman Style with new vaults, safes, money order and registered mail areas, IRS and interrogation rooms upstairs, and a catwalk across the ceiling for postal inspections. In 1917, day-to-day delivery began.
Postmasters Through the Years
The following is a listing of postmasters and the year they began service:
- John Robertson in 1914
- Joe Calloway in 1919
- Lem Bell in 1934
- John Pope in 1937
- George Gunn in 1962
- George Gunn Jr. in 1963
Relocation and Building Changes
The Springfield Post Office was relocated in 1964, and the 124 6th Avenue West property was sold to Louis Draughon.
In 1970, the YMCA remodeled the interior of the building, adding showers downstairs and removing the catwalk. After the YMCA closed, the building housed Robertson County Offices. Walls were added inside, and an addition was built at the rear of the building in 1979. The County Archives was located in the basement level.
The Robertson County History Museum
In 1998, the Robertson County Commission allowed the Robertson County Historical Society to use the main floor and upstairs to house the Robertson County History Museum.
In 2002, after the archives were relocated, the property was deeded to the Historical Society with a reversion clause attached to the deed. On July 19, 2018, that reversion clause was lifted.
Recent Developments
A new chapter began for the museum building in the fall and winter of that same year. Construction started on a large storage and workroom at the rear of the building, which would take up two parking spaces and eventually allow for expanded meeting room space.