-Chapter IV- TOWNS, COMMUNITIES, AND MILITIA DISTRICTS (1880-1980)
Town District - The Founding of Chatsworth
When the Louisville & Nashville Railroad was constructed in 1905 it passed through several towns in Murray County but by-passed the county seat of Spring Place. However, between Oran and Ramhurst the tracks ran through fields and forests owned by Jim Springfield and Jasper Moreland. Since the Georgia Talc Company was located nearby, a depot was constructed near the railroad, about 3 miles east of Spring Place. Some thought that the station would serve the county seat, but a group of businessmen had other ideas. On June 2, 1905 the Chatsworth Land Company was formed and before the year was out William Pendley had built the Chatsworth Brick Plant south of the depot in anticipation of the birth of a new town.
Members of the Land Company included President C.N. King, Sr., Henry Farrar, Perry Hilliard, J.M. Sanders, W.C. Martin, and a Mr. Strickland. They bought the Springfield and Moreland properties and had the land surveyed into streets which ran east to west (often named for trees), numbered avenues running north and south, and an abundance of building lots. Throughout 1906 the group planned for a big land sale, but a few cabins and houses appeared before the sale was held on December 11 & 12. The sale was held in a big tent on the northwest corner of Third Avenue and Fort Street (where the city parking lot is now located). Mr. & Mrs. T.M. Wright purchased the first lots across Fort Street from the tent (where the Golden Gallon in now). The Wrights later sold the lots to Dr. J.B. Hughes, who was also secretary-treasurer of the brick plant.
The town was officially incorporated August 18, 1906 and named Chats-worth. Robert Herron, a former Daltonian and historian, wrote the following about "The Name of Chatsworth" for the Whitfield-Murray Historical Society Quarterly in April. 1982;
Chatsworth, county seat of Murray County, Ga., was founded in 1906, as a railway station for Spring Place, then the county seat. There has been a mystery as to what person or place Chatsworth was named for. A history of the Louisville and Nashville Railway included a "legend" that Chatsworth was given the name found on a sign by a railway worker. In a book on geographic names in Georgia, it is claimed that Chatsworth was named for a railroad official. A careful search for the evidence of the existence of the railroad official has been unsuccessful. In fact, search among genealogical indexes, census records, city directories and telephone directories indicates that few, if any, Americans ever bore the name Chatsworth.
Search among encyclopedias and biographical dictionaries reveals no prominent person named Chatsworth. Gazeteers list towns named Chatsworth in New Jersey, Iowa, Illinois, Canada, South Africa, California, and England.
In 18S7, Chatsworth, 111., received notoriety from a nearby train wreck in which 84 persons were killed. The Chatsworth Wreck, commemorating the event, was one of the most popular American railroad ballads. Chatsworth, 111., was reportedly named for "the country home of the Duke of Devonshire, England."
A 1976 dictionary of American place names stated that Chatsworth, Ga., was named for "Chatsworth Castle, in northern England. The name was suggested by Indian fortifications on Fort Mountain two miles east." Comparison of the mysterious piled rock barriers on Fort Mountain with the stately Chatsworth mansion or its gardens requires soaring imagination. Nevertheless, Chatsworth, Ga., is apparently named for "Chatsworth," the ancestral domicile of the Dukes of Devonshire on the Dervent River in Derbyshire in northern England.
The first documentary evidence of the Chatsworth estate is in the Domesday Book, a tax register, which King William I, the Norman conqueror of England, had compiled in the year 1086. Chatsworth was named for a Saxon landlord named Chat (or Ceatta), once the owner of the \vurde or wurth (homestead or enclosed place). The first owner of Chatsworth may have been named for Saint Chad (Chat), patron saint of 40 churches, who died in the year 672.
In the 1530s, Sir William Cavendish bought the Chatsworth estate and began construction of an immense mansion which was completed by his widow, Bess of Hard-wick, who later married George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury. This Earl of Shrewsbury was the chief jailer of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, during the years 1567-1587, when she was imprisoned by Queen Elizabeth 1 of England. During (he years 1567 to 1581, the hapless Mary, who had been Queen of France for about 18 months and had reigned as Queen of Scotland for six years, was imprisoned mainly in Chatsworth House. When young Charles Stuart visited his imprisoned cousin (and sister-in-law) Mary at Chatsworth, the ambitious Bess (wife of the Earl of Shrewsbury) contrived to marry off one of her numerous daughters to Charles. Queen Elizabeth I was so angry that she had Bess imprisoned in the Tower of London for a few months.
The Tudor era Chatsworth House was damaged so badly during the English Civil War of 1640-1649 that it was demolished in 1686. From 1687 to 1707, the fourth Earl (and the first Duke) of Devonshire built the major portion of the present Chats-worth House in a French style. Additions were made by later Dukes of Devonshire, especially between 1810 and 1839. Between 1836 and 1841, the sixth Duke of Devonshire had a huge conservatory built of glass at Chatsworth. In 1843, Queen Victoria visited the conservatory, which contained the largest private collection of tropical plants, fish, and birds in England. Later royal visitors to Chatsworth were King Edward VII and King George V. At the present time, tourists may visit Chatsworth during most of the year to see magnificent fountains and the largest private collection of art in England. American tourists are also interested in visiting the graves at Chatswroth of the son of the 10th Duke of Devonshire, who was killed in World War II, and his wife Kathleen, sister of the late President John F. Kennedy.
Among the earliest settlers of Chatsworth were the William S. Cox, Sr., Edward Johnson, John Gregory, Cleve Gregory, Seth Gregory. Hull Kerr, J.J.D. Smith, Dr. J.B. Hughes. George Kelly. Sam Kelly. Alvin Jones. Mason Hester, Edward Bishop. Lewis Thompson, George Collum. Ben Phillips. William More-land. William Pendley, Major Terry. Hardy Rhyne. S.M. Harriett, Davis Glenn, Horace Clark. Tay Camey. W.L. Lents. Perry Hilliard. Mrs. Major Wilson. Martha Holbrook. Erwin Baggett. Robert Gudger, W.M. Lowery, William Bradley, John Parker, and J.T. Dillard families. After 1907 people moved to Chatsworth in ever increasing numbers. On December 16, 1908 a Woodmen of the World Lodge (No. 356) was organized. (Chartered on September 16, 1909 the Lodge moved to Calhoun in 1983.) By 1910 other names like Tatum, Ratcliff, Keith, Heart-sell. Fincher, Parsons. Stewart. Gladden. Dickie, Brooks. Henley, Hart. Mann, Starr. Harris. Cantrel], Goswick. Cochran, and Quarles were added to the list of Chatsworth's "first families." Early in that year the population reached 314 and about this time kerosene street lights were installed.
By 1911 Chatsworth had a population of 550 and boasted a bank, two hotels, ten stores, a lumber plant, a guano factory, a brick plant, two talc mills, a grist mill, a repair shop, a Union warehouse, a gin. two churches, and a school. In 1913 the Land Company was reorganized with L.W, Thompson, C.T. (Chip) Owens. M.H. Williams. J.L. Robinson, and J.N. Moreland as leaders.
Almost three decades after these events occurred. Alvin Jones wrote this slightly different account of the "Pioneering of Chatsworth":
In the year of 1905 about the last of July C.N. King and L.W. Thompson optioned the then John Willbanks lot of some 45 acres, now in the center of the town. Amass meeting of Spring Place citizens appointed a committee to locate a depot. After meeting with the locating engineer, he told the committee to drive a stake where we wanted the depot. The committee chose the site, then we found that King and Thompson owned the land and they were part of the committee. Then we bought of them an interest in the lot.
It was divided into five shares, King, Thompson, Williams, Owens, and Jones. Each sharer was assessed $50 to start work cutting underbrush.
Jones took over the work for a short time at one dollar per day and gave hands 75 cents pet day.
Jones hired Hill Anderson first. The two started across the country three miles from Spring Place, ax on shoulder, lunch in hand, out a little country road to start a town.
Anderson was anxious to know about the job at 75 cents. Jones said, "We will find the job-it is on ahead of us." At last we came to the comer, a small maple about six or eight inches in diameter, first to be cut. Anderson was ordered by Jones to stand until he (Jones) made a speech. He told Anderson of a nice little town in the future, and Jones and Anderson could have a fine hotel and a barber shop (that was Anderson's profession at the time).
Two weeks was payday and twelve hands were paid off, the money being carried in a half-gallon bucket. Abou! this time the J.N. Moreland lands were bought. A little later the Jack Keith lands were bought. Jones sold his stock to Lee Cox, and went into business in a stall in the Willbanks' barn. James Bagley hauled his goods out with four mules. Jones sold to J.N. Moreland on his first sale five cents worth of candy which gave him a start in finances.
By this time the land company was chartered and the Desoto Hotel was named. Squire Hamilton surveyed and plotted off the town, Capt. Freeson became the promoter and lot salesman.
George Kelley built a box storehouse on First Avenue, and Jones built one north of Kelley.
The railroad came along with a ten or twelve foot board which read "Chatsworth." "Where did the name originate'!" is often asked. We have omitted that until now we are asking the railroad to give us this history.
The talc mill, managed by Marion Williams, was one of the first industries, and The Pendley Brick Company about the second, and Ryan Brothers Lumber Company next. Sam Barnett was the first depot agent and hotel manager. Erwin Baggett built one of the first homes.
Jones asked for a post office named Chatsworth. He stamped four cents worth of stamps the first day after he was commissioned. The postmaster got sixty per cent of all cencellation and the post office department forty per cent. This gave the post' master another financial lift.
Ezekiel Dunn took charge of brush cutting and opening up streets. Lot sales came on, maps were made, a big rally day was staged on November 21 and 22, in 1905, 1323 lots being placed on sale.
The land company realized a good sum and went forth to build a good town. Dunn Brothers started a livery stable. J.B. Gregory Co. built a store on First avenue, later built upon the corner of Third avenue and Market street, the first brick house in town (Continued on page 372)
(Note: A map of early Chatsworth appears in the book, but could not be reproduced here. The notes to the map, containing much information, follow)
KEY TO MAP
First Avenue
1. Chatsworth Depot - 1905
2. Rhyne Lumber Company - 1907
3. Nix Grist Mill
4. William Cox House -1907 (1st two-story dwelling)
5. Ben Keith home
6.
7.
8. Railroad Section Houses
9. Store -HullKerr's
10. Flanagan's Store (general merchandise)
11. Cox's Store (later Baker's Furniture)
12. Post Office and Confectionary
13. DeSotoPark
14. l-'armer's Union Warehouse - 1907
15. Lowery Cotton Gin - 1909
15a. Chatsworth Guano Co. - closed about 1918. Manufactured "Fort Mountain" Brand. J.L. Cole, C.N. King, A. Strick-land, J.W. Knight, and T.M. Hemphill were involved in this business. C.W. Brown was factory superintendent.
16. George Kelly's Store (later John Parker)
17. Meat Market
18. W.S. Lents Jewelry Store
19. Lewis Thompson's Store -1907
20. lay Camey's Store - 1907
Second Avenue
21. Ed Bishop's Residence
22. Mrs. Major Wilson's House
22a. first telephone service)
23. Wright Hotel - 1908, later known as Chatsworth Hotel.
24. Sam KeUey's Store
25. White's Restaurant
26. Fain Heartsells Blacksmith Shop (later Newton Gordon)
27. Cochran & Taturn's Store, built a large brick store in 1928. In 1946 Mr. & Mrs. W.A. Tatum sold the business to Drew & Jim Springfield who operated the business as Springfield Brothers until 1951.
28. Site of big tent where auction was held to sell the land for Chatsworth. Sold by Chatsworth Land Co.
29. Co Hum's Residence
30. Perry Hilliard's Home
31. Ben Philip's home (first black family in Chatsworth)
32. Chatsworth LumberCo. (later) 1910-owners Frank Blair and Shelion Lumas
33. Chatsworth Pressed Brick Company, owned by William Pendley. Later leased by i .A. Moore and R.P. Hufstetler. Purchased by A.J..C.G., andG.C. 0" of Washington, Ga., in 1920. Closed about 1929 as Chatsworth Clay Manufacturing Company, T.W, Brooks and R.E. Chambers owners.
34.-44. Homes for workers at brick plant
45-46, School and Commissary
47. William Pendley Home
48. John Fincher Home
49. T.A. Wright House
50. Aunt Hannah's House
51.-53. Houses owned by Ben Paisons.He lived in one and rented the other two.
Third Avenue
54. Mason Hester's House
55. Davis Glenn Home
56. Seth Gregory's Residence - 1907
57. Wright Home-1908 S7a. Henley Home
58. Horace Clark's Residence - 1907
59. Cleve Gregory Place
60. Baggett Residence - 1907
61. Isaac Stewart House (later Lula Gladden Home)
62. First Baptist Church - 1909
63. DeSoto Hotel-1907
64. Hampton Shoe Shop
64a. Second Location of Ford Place
65. Ford Company - Ragan Bamett - first location
65a. Bank of Chatsworth -1907, operated for about 25 years until closed in the Great Depression. Was burglarized in October, 1921 when $1,200 was Stolen.
65b. John Gregory Store - 1906 (also had a grist mill)
66. Sigrnan Residence - Railroad Agent built in 1908
67. J.J.D. Smith Livery Stable
68. Major Terry Livery Stable
69. Garage
70. Bamett & Bradley's Store - new brick building built in 1927. Later site of Fred Brown & Sons Furniture and Hardware.
71. Dr. J.B. Hughes Home -First lots sold at Land Sale.
72. Ratciiff Home
73. Holbrook Home - before 1906
74. Dr. E.H. Dickie Home
75. Patterson House
76. T.W. Brooks House -1907
77. Thompson House
77a. S.A. Barnett House
77b. Dwelling, occupants unknown
77c. F'orney Bradley House
78. Willard Pendley (later Gudger Home) -1907
Fourth Avenue
79. Deahart's House
80.. 81., 82, J.J.D. Smith Houses -He lived in one and rented two,
83,, 84, Mason Hesler Houses -rented
85. John Gregory House
86 Bill Moreland Place - rented
87 Cox Place
88 Cleve Gregory Home
89. Sol Mann's House
90. Sol Mann's Barber Shop - first in Chatsworth
91. Sam Kelley's Home - 1909
92. George Kelly's Residence - 1907
93. Donald Starr Residence
94.Dr.E.H. Dickie's House
95. John Parker Home
96-98. Houses owned by J.J.D.Smith-to rent
Fifth Avenue
99. School (after moved from brick plant)
100. Hardy Rhyne Residence
101. "JimTown" -had about 15 houses for low-income people owned by Jim Cantrell
Sixth Avenue
102. George Collum House
103.Goswick Residence
104. Bill Moreland Home
Mr. Jones continued his account:
S.M, Bamett and Bradley Brothers started a store at comer of Fort and Third avenue.
Thompson and Hills built on the comer of Fort and Second avenue. T.M. Wright built the hotel on the comer of Second avenue and Market. A well was drilled in the middle of Second avenue and Market street by Charlie Gray. The town's location with its environment was a drawing card as it is at the foot of Fort Mountain, the historic mountain of North Georgia.
Cox ran our first hardware and furniture store. Keith and Jones had the first warehouse.
The Chatsworth Bank with Mack Sanders as president and Blackburn cashier, was one of the early businesses. The Cohutta Talc Mill and the Georgia Talc Mill are among the industries at the beginning of the town. Richoreek and King opened a small restaurant, and were the first to serve meals here; they were located on First avenue.
The town demanded sidewalks and a water system. The Nix Spring was the object for water.
J.N. Moreland was the land owner and the oldest citizen. He and his son, Thomas, were the first citizens of what is now a town of about one thousand population.
Thrift and industry has worked the town to where it is today. No wealth was poured into the lap of Chatsworth; her people have worked it out.
Murray County Heritage