History Of Old Camak, Georgia

It was on December 22, 1898, that the Town of Camak was incorporated under the name of Camak, by the General Assembly, State of Georgia, with the corporate powers being invested in A. W. Mershon, Mayor, for a term of one year.  The charter was signed by John D. Little, Speaker of the House; Wm. A. Dodson, President of the Senate; and it was approved by Hon. A.D. Candler, Governor.    The Town was named after James A. Camak. He was born in 1795, and died in 1857, at his home in Athens, Georgia.    Most of the land was owned by William Mayes, Sr., and his brothers. The home of the late William J. Mayes, Jr., dates back to the 1870's. It is put together with wooden pegs and still is standing today..    In 1875 a Cyclone swept down on the small Town of Camak. A freak incident of this Cyclone was that a Shingle was enbedded in a telephone pole. A portion of the pole was placed in the Smithsonian Institute in Washinton, D.C.    As property could be obtained,home were built on both sides of the railroad tracks, so that workers could walk to work. This resulted in the small town being laid out with the railroad in the center. Stores were also built along the side of the track, across from the depot.The present Camak Depot, was open for business in 1898. The cost for the depot was $ 1,785.60. A Western Union Office was also added upstairs in the depot.This resulted in a larger force of operators and clerks.

Old Downtown Camak

In the early days of Camak, Dr. Patillo owned a Drug Store. The General Merchandise was owned by Wm.M. Moore. John D. Walker of Sparta was owner of the Bank. R.T. Mayes built the Blacksmith Shop. The First Hotel was known as the "Wright House". It was here that Camak's"Southern Fried Chicken Lunches" were made famous by Miss Fannie Wright. In the years that followed the lunches became a tradition. A Skating RinK was owned by C.D. Kitchens. It became a popular pastime for both young and old. At one time Camak had two Telegraph offices,The Postal and the Western Union. Alex S. Rogers owned a small store in Camak also.

In 1917, Camak became a terminal for the Savannah and Atlanta Railroad, making it an important and prosperous junction, with trains connecting with Atlanta, Augusta, Macon, and Savannah. This provided both passenger and freight passage many times daily. The Crescent News /  Restaurant, located in the building connected with the railroad station,brought in new workers. The climate of the town is ideal, with long hot summers and short mild winters.

Camak Schools

The children of Camak in the early days began their education in a one-room school building with one teacher. In 1906, a two-story brick school building was built.Camak schools were among the best in the county.The Junior High School serve the communities of Camak, Mesena, and Macedonia well, until it was closed in May, 1956, because of county consolidation.    One of the school building is now being used as a church, and the other is falling down.

Churches

The Methodist Church has been in existence since 1870. William Mayes, Sr. donated the land for the church and the cemetery which up to 2001 served the community well. On March 20, 1875, the church building was damaged by a Cyclone. It was repaired, only to be damaged again by another Cyclone in 1887.The church was once again repaired.

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Georgia Railroad and Camak Today, Pg.3

The Baptist Church was organized in1901. It was built on land donated by Mrs Maurel Lazenby Jones. In February, 1934, it was destroyed by fire. The new church was completed in February, 1936. It still serves the community today.    Both churches are brick, and are standing proudly.

Venders RR Application 2007