Sadfly's Struggle For Historic Preservation

A Georgia town struggles to fight growth by documenting its African American cultural past.

1 minute read

May 1, 2003, 10:00 AM PDT

"But they are worrying now. Encroaching development, exemplified by plans for a parkway and a Wal-Mart shopping center, has stoked an outcry among residents over the future of Sandfly, and its village air... Sandfly recently won recognition from the Georgia Historical Society, and a marker is to be erected here May 10. The marker doesn't offer many tangible benefits, but shows that outsiders are acknowledging Sandfly's history. The community plans a celebration. Residents are also hoping for some kind of national historic designation, a step that could mean stricter scrutiny of any future development. But Sandfly represents the difficulties in preserving many black communities, where little effort went into safeguarding buildings or putting down on paper what went on. That has left preservationists without much to measure, at least by the usual yardsticks of historical importance..."

Thanks to Laura Kranz

FULL STORY: Looking Back to the Future

Thursday, May 1, 2003 in The Los Angeles Times

Community / Economic Development Georgia

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