WOOLSEY NEWS STORIES & SNIPPETS
“Woolsey was a cotton town, a real thriving community then. We had a big cotton gin,
and folks were raising a lot of cotton, and trains stopped right here and loaded up bale after bale.”
— John Ballard McLean, Atlanta Journal and Constitution, 1996
HARMONY GROVE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH DEDICATION
The Fayetteville News, March 8, 1889
A historic newspaper account of the dedication of Harmony Grove, the church that would become Historic Woolsey Church, despite a blustery March day.
Excerpt:
"And now the March wind bloweth,
Harmony Grove house of worship was dedicated last Sunday. Elder R. Andrews, formerly Editor of The Texas Standard, now associate editor of The Gospel Expositor Atlanta Ga. preached the dedication sermon instead of Elder E. R. Carswell who was called to another field. The sermon was an excellent one and fully met the expectations of the audience. Elder W. H. Pritchard of Brooks Station was present and assisted in the dedication services and the administration of the Ordinance of the Lord's supper at the close of the dedication services. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, there was quite a nice congregation."
SOMETHING ABOUT THIS LITTLE TOWN AND ITS PEOPLE
The Fayetteville News, January 12, 1894
This article offers a rare glimpse of Woolsey as a thriving young community, highlighting its railroad, businesses, school, churches, and residents. The writer was particularly impressed by Dr. I. G. Woolsey and the town’s promise for a bright future.Excerpt: "Just opposite the depot and in full view, stands the splendid mansion of Dr. I. G. Woolsey and his estimable wife. I mention his wife especially, because the very beautiful and artistic surroundings are due to her taste and skill. Her yard is a beautiful park for the Railroad. How restful to the dusty passenger to look upon such a spot of loveliness, with the exhilarating odors emanating therefrom. Dr. Woolsey drives on big business in this vicinage, that with a good mercantile business of three or four thousand dollar stock, his ginnery and milling, his large farming interests and his professional work, He is a man of large influence in his country, and his enthusiastic spirit in all public enterprises, makes him a most powerful factor in the upbuilding of the town. Although the Doctor is near his three score and ten his cheerful spirit and elastic step would pass him several years younger.
If we were to speak of Woolsey only in her material and financial advancement, other things very creditable to her citizens would be left unsaid. When we see churches and school houses keeping pace with the general progress of a town, we are not slow to conclude that the progress of that town will be steadily onward and upward. The two highest points in Woolsey are occupied by her church and school house. Each is complete in every particular, and as they hold the highest places in point of position, so they have the warmest places in the hearts of all her citizens."
Read the full story at the Georgia Historic Newspapers
DEATH OF DR. ISAAC GRAY WOOLSEY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1902
Fayette Historical Society
By John Lynch
An account of the death of Dr. Isaac Gray Woolsey, the man for whom the town of Woolsey was named, and the remarkable legacy he left in his community.
Read the full story at the Fayette Historical Society
MODEL STATION KEPT BY AGENT WOOLSEY
Southern News Bulletin, October, 1918
Excerpt: “Mr. Woolsey was promoted to agent-operator at Woolsey in September, 1911 and has always displayed the greatest energy, efficiency, and loyalty in connection with his work. The traveling auditors state that it is a pleasure to check his account, it only taking them a very short while to do so because his books and records are kept ‘written right up to the minute.’ The fire prevention inspectors declare that the entire station, including platform and underneath the building, is a model of neatness and that it would be difficult for a fire to start either inside the building or underneath it.”
An attractive flower garden developed by Mr. Woolsey on the plot adjoining the station is also a feature which greatly adds to the appearance of the grounds and this garden is often admired by passengers who are thus given a favorable impression of the town itself as the result of Mr. Woolsey’s efforts.”
WOOLSEY HISTORY
Atlanta Journal and Constitution, June 6, 1993
This article provides a brief history of Woolsey, Georgia, highlighting its early settlement, growth around the railroad and agriculture, development of local businesses and government, and the important role farming and fruit-packing played in the town’s economy.
Excerpt: “Much of the land around Woolsey was originally owned by Thomas Gay in the early 1820s. The first post office opened in the 1880s. For most of its history, the town was surrounded by farmland. The Southern Railroad came through during the mid-1880s. At one time, as many as six stores, a cotton gin, gristmill and hotel were clustered in the tiny downtown. Dr. Woolsey operated one of the first mills. A bank opened in 1907.
In 1934 the position of mayor and two council seats were held by women. But from the period after World War II until the early 1970s, the governing body was largely inactive.
The first roads were paved after World War II. Most of the residents who were not farmers found work packing peaches, apples and grapes at several large orchards in the town.”
GHOST OF WOOLSEY PAST STILL HAUNTS THE WOODS
Southside and Fayette Sun, October 21, 1993 • Newspaper clipping provided by the Town of Woolsey
By Lorraine M. Hulings
An intriguing 1993 newspaper story exploring one of Woolsey's enduring local legends and the stories surrounding the woods near town.
Excerpt:
"When the mist undelates across the land and the full moon pierces the evening sky, some say they have seen the spector with the light in the woods. It is believed that this ghost buried his gold and silver in the North Woods of Woolsey and is still hunting for his buried treasures. The ghost has been described by some who claim to have seen him as 'thin man with a light.' According to legend the ghost is Thomas Bolling Gay who was probably the first owner of the land that is now Woolsey."
TOO-TINY CHURCH ALIVE WITH SPIRIT OF WOOLSEY'S HERITAGE
Atlanta Journal and Constitution, April 11, 1996
By Bill Robinson
In April 1996, Woolsey Baptist Church prepared to leave its historic, century-old building for a new facility. Founded in 1888 as Harmony Grove Missionary Baptist Church by Dr. L.G. Woolsey, the old site held generations of community memories. Though bittersweet, the move was necessary to accommodate a growing congregation.
"He doesn't condemn the present. He simply realizes that he was 'fortunate enough' to have known kerosene lamps, and well-water, and plowed ground and cotton and corn growing, and slow, hot days when neighbors came to visit and sit a spell in a rocking chair or swing on a front porch and just talk. There was no television to dominate a room and all its conversation, and there was dinner on the grounds at the old Woolsey church... and so much more that was so different."
"That church is on hallowed ground. But we had to move for now and especially for the future." — John Ballard McLean, church elder
WOOLSEY SEEKING TO PRESERVE HISTORY THROUGH NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
Fayette County News, April 19, 2023
By Leah Banks
An account of the founding of Friends of Historic Woolsey and the community's commitment to preserving Historic Woolsey Church and the history of the town for future generations.
“For Woolsey Mayor Gary Laggis, establishment of the organization meant more than just preserving the church, but it also was to save the history of the town for generations to come.”
Read the full story at Georgia Historic Newspapers
HELP SAVE WOOLSEY CHURCH
Fayette County News, October 4, 2023
By Leah Banks
An inside look at Friends of Historic Woolsey’s restoration efforts and plans for the church’s first open house. The article highlights the work of volunteers and preservationists to reveal the church’s original 1889 architecture and the community effort to preserve it for future generations.
Read the original article at Fayette County News
HISTORICAL SOCIETY PROGRAM SPOTLIGHTS WOOLSEY PROJECT
Fayette County News, March 27, 2024
By Dylan Shoemaker
The Fayette County Historical Society invited Friends of Historic Woolsey President Jamie Lovett to present the Historic Woolsey project, highlighting efforts to save Historic Woolsey Church and its annex and restore the buildings as a multipurpose gathering space.
Read the original article at the Georgia Historic Newspapers
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AWARDS $1.2 MILLION TO ALL LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN FAYETTE
The Citizen, March 28, 2024
By Cal Beverly
The Fayette County Development Authority awarded the Town of Woolsey a $300,000 matching grant for tourism and the restoration of Historic Woolsey Church. The project will help return the church toward its original 1889 appearance while preparing it to serve as a Community and Cultural Center.
Read the original article at The Citizen
CLOSE TO HOME: EXPLORING FAYETTE COUNTY, GA’S WOOLSEY CEMETERY
By Traci Rylands
An exploration of Woolsey Cemetery and the people whose stories are part of the community’s history, including Dr. Isaac G. Woolsey, the Gay family, Archibald “Archie” Preston, and Dr. Ferrol Sams. The author also highlights Friends of Historic Woolsey’s efforts to preserve the church and cemetery.
“I’m thrilled that the folks of Woolsey are working together to preserve the heritage of the community and the cemetery, which are an integral part of Fayette County’s rich history.”
— Traci Rylands, Adventures in Cemetery Hopping
Read the full story at Adventures in Cemetery Hopping
HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESENTS 'LEGENDARY GHOST STORIES OF FAYETTE COUNTY'
Fayette County News, October 20, 2024
The Fayette County Historical Society presented “Legendary Ghost Stories of Fayette County,” an event highlighting local history and folklore. Friends of Historic Woolsey was among the historic sites and stories featured in the program.
Read the original article at Fayette County News
15 HISTORIC GEORGIA SITES TO SPLIT $130,000 FOR PRESERVATION EFFORTS
WSB-TV, May 29, 2025
By WSBTV.com News Staff
Friends of Historic Woolsey was selected as one of 15 historic preservation organizations in Georgia to receive funding through the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation’s grant programs. The grant will support preservation work at Historic Woolsey Church, placing Woolsey among historic sites receiving statewide recognition and investment.
Read the original article at WSB-TV
FRIENDS OF HISTORIC WOOLSEY REBUILDS CEMETERY COLUMN
Fayette County News, December 17, 2025
By Dylan Shoemaker
Friends of Historic Woolsey recently completed the reconstruction of a brick column at Historic Woolsey Cemetery after the original was damaged in a vehicle accident on Highway 92. Local mason Clay Callaway rebuilt the column, bringing his craftsmanship and knowledge of Fayette County history to the project.
“Thank you to Clay Callaway for building our beautiful new column at Historic Woolsey Cemetery,” FoHW officials said. “Your craftsmanship will stand here for generations.”
“While I was down there working, it was cool to walk through and look at the names of the people that I knew or people that I have heard of all my life,” Callaway said.
Read the original article at Fayette County News
‘FRIENDS OF HISTORIC WOOLSEY’ RECEIVES $5K DONATION FROM CLT
Fayette County News, April 15, 2026
Clothes Less Traveled provided a $5,000 donation to support restoration efforts at Historic Woolsey Church, helping advance the work to preserve the 1889 building as a future community gathering space.
FoHW said of CLT, “Through their incredible mission of giving back and supporting local nonprofits, they are helping preserve a place that has brought people together for generations.”
Read the original article at the Fayette County News
FRIENDS OF HISTORIC WOOLSEY TO ‘RAISE THE ROOF’ AT HISTORIC CHURCH
Fayette County News, May 6, 2026
By Dylan Shoemaker
An account of Friends of Historic Woolsey’s effort to replace the historic church roof and protect the 1889 building for generations to come.
Jamie Lovett, president of Friends of Historic Woolsey, said, “It was really important to us to make sure that we are doing everything to authentically restore the church just like it would have looked like in 1889.”
Read the original article at the Fayette County News
WOOLSEY: LOOKING FORWARD TO PROTECT THE PAST
Fayette Footprints, July 1, 2026
Hosted by Kenneth Blum • Featuring Frank Carden
An oral history of Woolsey with longtime resident and unofficial town historian Frank Carden, exploring the community's beginnings, its people and places, and efforts to preserve its historic legacy.
Listen to the episode at Fayette Footprints
FRIENDS OF HISTORIC WOOLSEY RECEIVES GRANT FROM GARDEN CLUB OF GEORGIA
Fayette County News, August 2026
The Garden Club of Georgia awarded Friends of Historic Woolsey a $3,000 Historic Landscape Preservation Grant to support the care and preservation of the historic oak trees surrounding Historic Woolsey Church. The grant recognizes the importance of the church’s historic landscape and will help ensure that these mature trees remain part of the Woolsey community for generations to come.
Read the original article at Fayette County News
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