Early Treasure Trove

Marshall Hooks (’10, ’12) is the new president of the Barnesville-Lamar County Chamber of Commerce. However, it was his previous role as Director of Member Services for the Blakely-Early County Chamber of Commerce that turned him into a bit of a history buff.

The alumnus started that job just as renovation began on a historic building to house the Chamber headquarters and other offices. Construction workers ripped out the floorboards of the Alexander Building (named after Dr. W.H. Alexander) and “uncovered a trove of medicine bottles, coins, and other artifacts.” According to Hooks, one of the coins predates the 1903 construction of the building and many of the medicine bottles are from the early to mid 1900s.

“Since finding the bottles and other artifacts, I also discovered some of Dr. Alexander’s old doctor books, one of which he signed, and a prescription that was written on one of Dr. Alexander’s prescription pads,” said Hooks. “The artifacts are an important piece of history that bridges the construction of the original building to its renovation 110 years later… It is amazing to think a year after the first discovery we are still finding artifacts to help promote the history of Blakely and Early County.”

All of artifacts are now on display at the Chamber, which moved back into the building last October.
– Sandra Bennett