At the Heart of Downtown Life
Long before it became the beautifully restored event venue known today as The 1889,
this building stood at the center of everyday life in Lumber City, Georgia.
Through the memories shared by local residents, the building is remembered as a place tied to commerce,
community, and the rhythm of small-town life.
Wards Department Store
The building is most widely remembered as Wards Department Store, operated by
Thomas and Bessie Ward. Residents recalled it as a department store, dry goods store,
and general store that served local families for years.
“It was a little department store… slash hardware… owned by Thomas and Bessie Ward.”
“Years ago, when I was a child, it was a department store. Mrs. Ward ran it.”
Located on a prominent corner across from Lumber City Bank, it was part of a lively downtown business district
that once formed the commercial heart of the community.
A Place Full of Memory
For many people, the building is remembered just as much for how it felt as for what it sold.
It was a place where neighbors crossed paths, children stopped in, and everyday errands became small memories.
“We would get a coke in one of those glass bottles and a bag full of candy.”
These memories help paint a picture of a welcoming storefront that was woven into the fabric of everyday Lumber City life.
Part of a Busy Main Street
The building stood among other well-remembered businesses that helped define downtown Lumber City, including:
- Bowen’s Drug Store, remembered for its soda fountain and bar stools
- Phillips 5 & 10 Store
- Dawson’s Furniture Store
Together, these places created a downtown atmosphere where shopping, visiting, and community life all came together.
Changing with the Times
Like many historic downtown buildings, the space adapted over the years. Residents also recalled later uses,
including a beauty shop associated with Velma Sears, reflecting the building’s continued role
in serving the people of the community.
The 1889 Today
Today, the building has been thoughtfully reimagined as The 1889, an event venue where people gather
for showers, parties, reunions, dinners, and meaningful celebrations.
In many ways, its purpose has remained the same. Where families once gathered to shop and visit,
people now come together to celebrate milestones and create lasting memories.
From storefront to gathering place, this building has always brought people together.
