Southern Matters

Southern Matters

I wish to acknowledge Ken Christison. Ken posted and hosted (http://www.syrupmakers.com) this Operations Page from its inception in 2000 until 2002. Without Ken’s encouragement, guidance, expertise, editing, and generosity of time, this page could not have come into being. All the mistakes are solely mine.

None of the equipment shown is for sale. The items are valued family heirlooms, prized collections, permanent displays, or part of a working farm. Thank you.
 

Snapshots

Type:  Single iconic photographs, many with supplemental links, collected from a variety of locations. Snapshots, by no means lesser than full operations pages, are intended as a convenience, allowing a single upload to capture a broad swath of syrup making.

BBQ Kettle

Slides 1-15
Barbeque Kettle (Virginia Weeks); Valdosta Foundry and Machinery Company 2-roller Mill (Jackson Moore); Quitman Manufacturing Company 2-roller Mill (Travis Bennett); Goldens' No. 2 (New Model) (Exit 109 Antiques); Goldens' No. 2 (New Model) (Mr. Hurst); Cooking Syrup ( The Parramores); Goldens' No. 2 (New Model) (Andersonville Park); Chattanooga No. 22 (Callaway Plantation); Cooking Syrup (The Freemans); Quitman Foundry and Manufacturing Company No. 14 (Tommy Fletcher); Columbus No. 14 (Virgil Herndon); Un-named Frameless Mill (J.L. McMillan); Southern Machinery Company No. 14 (Quitman Cultural Center); Salt and New-York Pattern Kettles (Andy Palmer); Chattanooga No. 12 (Improved) (E. Green).

Columbus No. 18

Slides 16-30
Columbus No. 18 (Mr. Hurst); Cooking Syrup (Don & Carol Dean); Goldens' No. 14 (New Model) (Ruby Dorminey); Portrait (Ken & Connie Christison); Victor No. 2 (Cash Kaschai); Goldens' No. 2 (New Model) (Ronald Pascal); Earlier model of Chattanooga No. 12 (Improved) (Pioneer Museum of Alabama); Kentucky No. 0 (Cash Kashchai); Kehoe Iron Works Frameless 2-roller mill (Terry Jarvis); Southern Plow Vertical Mill (John Evers); Syrup Dipper (Paul Smith); Factory Photograph (Kehoe Iron Works); Thomasville Iron Works "No. 27" (Wesley Pope); High-school Sign (Cairo Syrupmakers); Thompson Foundry and Machine Company "No. 36" (J. Jones)

CIW No. 2

Slides 31-45
Columbus Iron Works 2-roller Mill (John Lewis); Unidentified Vertical Mill (near Metcalfe, Georgia); Goldens' No. 27 (New Model) (Thomas Duggar); Home Green (Melvin Blount & Elmer Keefee); Syrup Shed (Harvey Bledsoe & Raleigh Player); Kettle Furnace (Parks Gray); Syrup-making Tools (Eston Rowe); Goldens' No. 14 (New Model) (Williams Station); Frameless Mill (Jettie Powell); Dumping Juice (George Connell); Waterford Foundry Kettle (Tallahassee Museum of Science and Natural History); Sugar Nippers (Acadian Village); Cane Stripper (Brinley-Hardy Company); Various Kettles (Washington Old School House Antique Mall); South Georgia Homestead (Snyder Robinson)

Findlay Kettle

Slides 46-60
Findlay Kettle (Kyle Fuller); Syrup Shed (Tallahassee/Blountsville); Goldens' No. 2 (New Model post 1924) (James Robinson); Letterheads (Goldens' Foundry and Machine Company + W. B. Roddenbery Company); Goldens' No. 44x (New Model) (Oliver Bloom); Cane Hoe (Wayne Davis); Syrup Labels (Montage); IH Engines (Jerry & Anthony Brinson); Chattanooga No. 14 (Improved) (Mark & Phyliss Webb); Briggs Hwde (Valdosta, Georgia); Green Lever Cap (Bill Outlaw); Chattanooga No. 92 (Jerry & Anthony Brinson); Goldens' No. 36 (New Model) (Carroll Abernethy); Post Card Advertisement for Cane Stripper (Anthony Brinson); Murphy Southern Mill No. 2 (Al Fuqua).

Slides 61-75
Goldens' No. 3 (New Model) mechanized (John Davis); Unidentified Power Mill (Morris Bitzer); Myer Perfection No. 1 (Al Fuqua); Minor-Horton 30-gallon Kettle (Nelle Dorminey); Goldens' No. 27 (New Model) (Debbie & Craig Hardin); Cane Stripper (Gene Luke); Goldens' No. 45 (New Model) (anonymous); Goldens' No. 2 (New Model) (Rambling Rose); 300-gallon Kettle (Beth & Tommy Clayton); Puerto Rican Sugar-Cane Field (anonymous); Kettle Skimmer (Pete Smothers et al.); Chattanooga No. 70 (Leon Robinson & Zack Hicks); Chattanooga No. 45 (Marcus Walker); Goldens' 20-gallon Kettle (Andy Palmer); Chattanooga No. 44 (Jerome Bodiford)

Slides 76-90
Kettle Cooking (Bill Boykin); Frameless Mill (New Lois); Syrupmaking Model (General Coffee Park); Goldens' No. 4 (Old Style) (Bobby McDaniel); Portable Cooker (David White); J.A. Fields Star Cane Mill (Wayne Coulter); Olde Town (Pat and Roy Collins); Tuskegee's Marshall Farm (taken from World's Work); unidentified mill (Jack Lombard); Historical Syrup "Factory" (unknown, Statenville, GA); G.W. Gleason man-hole cover (City of Savannah, GA); Rourke water-meter cover (City of Savannah, GA); Chattanooga Vertical Mill (The Brinkleys); Goldens No. 16x Mill (Ronnie Gaskins); Sugar-cane Maze (Hansel and Marge Morris)

Slides 91-105
Excelsior Wonderful Pony Mill (Richard Harrison);

Updated Nov, 2010

Operations  1-4   5-8   9-12   13-16   17-20   21-24   25-28   29-32   33-36   37-40

Mark Watson (Nashville, Georgia)

Mark Watson (Nashville, Georgia)

Type: Historical. A sugar cane operation on a self sufficient farm in rural south Georgia in the early 1900s is described.

Equipment: Goldens' No. 2 (New Model/transition ) mill. Among the first of this model to be manufactured. Wood furnace with kettle.

Updated January, 2005

Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (Quincy, Florida)

Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (Quincy, Florida)

Type: Extension. Observe the distribution of "seed" cane of recommended cultivars.

Equipment: None

Updated February, 2002

Agrirama (Tifton, Georgia)

Agrirama (Tifton, Georgia)

Type: Demonstration. An excellent demonstration village from yesteryear. Extracts from extension bulletins about optimum extraction of juice for syrup. Comments on the history of syrup production in the South.

Equipment: Chattanooga No. 13 (Improved) mill, Quitman Manufacturing Co. 2-roller mill, unknown 2-roller frameless mill. Chattanooga and Rourke kettles mounted in wood furnace.

Updated March, 2003

Puddin Creek (Willacoochee, GA)

Puddin Creek (Willacoochee, GA)

Type: Commercial. One of the largest syrup operations in South Georgia. A modern factory based on antique equipment and traditional methods.

Equipment: Goldens' No. 27 (New Model) (motorized) and 3 kettles in gas furnaces.

Updated March, 2002

Operations  1-4   5-8   9-12   13-16   17-20   21-24   25-28   29-32   33-36   37-40   Top
 

Chattahoochee Vignettes (Chattahoochee, Florida)

Chattahoochee Vignettes (Chattahoochee, Florida)

Type: Hobbyists. Two old friends share an interest in sugar cane.

Equipment: Two vertical horse-powered mills.

Updated July, 2002

Aubrey Sutton (Nashville, Georgia)

Aubrey Sutton (Nashville, Georgia)

Type: Historical. Notes on the “x” and “xx” series of Goldens' vertical animal-powered mills.

Equipment: Goldens' No. 2x (New Model)

Updated December, 2000

Cornelius Rowan (Nashville, Georgia)

Cornelius Rowan (Nashville, Georgia)

Type: Historical.

Equipment: Columbus No. 12

Updated December, 2000

Gerald Griffin (Alapaha, Georgia)

Gerald Griffin (Alapaha, Georgia)

Type: Hobby. Jerry and his family and friends share a southern tradition.

Equipment: Goldens' No. 3 (New Model), Chattanooga No. 44, 50-gallon kettle

Updated January, 2007

Operations  1-4   5-8   9-12   13-16   17-20   21-24   25-28   29-32   33-36   37-40   Top
 

Mule Day (Calvary, Georgia)

Mule Day (Calvary, Georgia)

Type: Demonstration. Thousands of people converge on this small village for a tradition celebration.

Equipment: Goldens' No. 4x (New Model), No. 36 (New Model), Chattanooga No. 72, Columbus No. 18, copper evaporator

Updated December, 2000

 

Charles Baldree (Omega, Georgia)

Charles Baldree (Omega, Georgia)

Type: Commercial. One of the largest syrup operations in southern Georgia is operated by a cane-mill aficionado. Holds an open house with breakfast.

Equipment: Mobile Pulley and Machine Works No. D74, McKinnon mill, Goldens' No. 54 (New Model), two unidentified mills, evaporators and kettles.

Updated Nov 2010

Raymond Roland (Nashville, Georgia)

Raymond Roland (Nashville, Georgia)

Type: Commercial. Raymond continues the syrup-making factory of his father.

Equipment: Goldens' No. 36 (New Model), several kettles

Updated December, 2000

Operations  1-4   5-8   9-12   13-16   17-20   21-24   25-28   29-32   33-36   37-40   Top
 

Fred Lackey (Tallahassee, Florida)

Fred Lackey (Tallahassee, Florida)

Type: Sideline. Mr. and Mrs. Lackey make excellent syrup and provide excellent company. By-invitation-only Fun Day, when they share their interest in traditional farm equipment.

Equipment: Goldens' No. 27 (New Model), Belknap New Blue Grass 1896 No. 1 mill, kettle.

Updated July, 2002

Alton Rowan (Alapaha, Georgia)

Alton Rowan (Alapaha, Georgia)

Type: Hobby. Alton enjoys old farm items, making syrup, and talking about both.

Equipment:Columbus No. 18, Chattanooga No. 12, Goldens' No. 1, 2 (New Model) (motorized), kettle

Updated July, 2002

James King (Nashville, Georgia)

James King (Nashville, Georgia)

Type: Sideline. Mr. King’s family produces syrup on a small commercial scale. They also have an honor-system juice stand. See the construction of a furnace.

Equipment: Quitman Foundry and Machine No. 14 (mechanized), Goldens' animal-powered vertical mill

Updated January, 2002

James Williams (Nashville, Georgia)

James Williams (Nashville, Georgia)

Type: Hobby. Brother Williams leads his congregation in syrup making as well as in prayer.

Equipment: Quitman Foundry and Machine No. 14, kettle

Updated December, 2000

Operations  1-4   5-8   9-12   13-16   17-20   21-24   25-28   29-32   33-36   37-40   Top
 

Bradley Store (Moccasin Gap, Florida)

Bradley Store (Moccasin Gap, Florida)

Type: Demonstration. Holds an enormously popular fall Fun Day, and sells syrup, grits, corn meal, and sausage year-round.

Equipment: Columbus No. 13, Goldens' No. 3 (New Model)(mechanized), kettle with unusual rim system.

Updated December, 2000

Nicholson Farmhouse (Havana, Florida)

Nicholson Farmhouse (Havana, Florida)

Type: Demonstration. Syrup was made on the grounds of one of Florida's most famous restaurants.

Equipment: Goldens' No. 4x (New Model), evaporator, many kettles.

updated January, 2002

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Feaster (Micanopy, Florida)

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Feaster (Micanopy, Florida)

Type: Commercial. Heirloom varieties of cane are grown on a family farm in north Florida.

Equipment: Chattanooga No. 72 (motorized), gas-fired evaporator, kettle.

updated July, 2002

Felix Horne (Metcalfe, Georgia)

Felix Horne (Metcalfe, Georgia)

Type: Commercial. A large commercial producer sells under his own label and bottles for retailers.

Equipment. Goldens' No. 36 (New Model), diesel-fired evaporator.

updated August 2001

Operations  1-4   5-8   9-12   13-16   17-20   21-24   25-28   29-32   33-36   37-40   Top

Bill and Mary Prescott (Lakeland, Florida)

Bill and Mary Prescott (Lakeland, Florida)

Type: Sideline. A retired couple has a pick-your-own citrus and syrup operation in central Florida.

Equipment: Goldens' No. 2 (New Model), kettle mounted on a wood-fired furnace

updated February, 2002

Leslie Herold (Tallahassee, Florida)

Leslie Herold (Tallahassee, Florida)

Type: Hobby. Mr. Herold has established an equilibrium between syrupmaking, beekeeping, and a grist mill.

Equipment: DT Sutherland machine Works 10x14 mill, 100-gallon wood-fired Chattanooga kettle.

updated November, 2001

Bo Swindle (Perry, Florida)

Bo Swindle (Perry, Florida)

Type: Sideline. Mr. Swindle combines a syrup operation with his activity, sawmilling and cabinetry.

Equipment: Goldens' No. 2 (New Model) (mechanized), kettle mounted in a wood-fired furnace.

updated August, 2001

Mr. S (North Florida)

Mr. S (North Florida)

Type: Hobby. A fine hobby operation designed, in part, for community enjoyment.

Equipment: Blymyer No. 4, Chattanooga No. 11 (Improved) and 12, kettle in wood-fired furnace.

updated May, 2001

Operations  1-4   5-8   9-12   13-16   17-20   21-24   25-28   29-32   33-36   37-40   Top
 

Arnold Brogdon (Nashville, Georgia)

Arnold Brogdon (Nashville, Georgia)

Type: Hobby. A former commercial operation is used just for fun now.

Equipment: Chattanooga No. 92, Chattanooga No. 44 (motorized), Squire (model unknown), VMC No. 0, kettles and furnaces.

updated February, 2001

Ronny Herring (Ochlocknee, Georgia)

Ronny Herring (Ochlocknee, Georgia)

Type: Commercial. Step back in time and see a 1916 engine drive a cane mill. Notes on the construction of gas burners.

Equipment: Goldens' No. 2x (New Model), Goldens' No. 27 (New Model), kettles in gas-fired furnaces.

updated February, 2002

Sandy's Syrup (Tifton, Georgia)

Sandy's Syrup (Tifton, Georgia)

Type: Sideline. Hilling, stripping, and harvesting equipment is shown. Stages in syrup cooking, mechanizing a mill, and building a burner are discussed.

Equipment: Goldens' No. 2 (New Model) (mechanized), Goldens' No. 4x (New Model) (mechanized), kettles mounted in gas-fired furnaces.

updated April, 2002

Quitman Vignettes (Quitman, Georgia)

Quitman Vignettes (Quitman, Georgia)

Type: Historical. Snapshots of days gone. Visit a man with a plan for syrup making; then, see an old plantation with a sugar mill; and, lastly, see a very large mill in storage with much other vintage equipment.

Equipment: Morven Foundry & Machine Co., Unknown mill, Blymyer Eureka # 4

updated February, 2002

Operations  1-4   5-8   9-12   13-16   17-20   21-24   25-28   29-32   33-36   37-40   Top
 

Junior Cashwell (Quitman, Georgia)

Junior Cashwell (Quitman, Georgia)

Type: Sideline. Tour the syrup operation of a man with many talents and interests.

Equipment: Chattanooga No. 44 (disassembled), Chattanooga No. 72, 60-gallon Columbus kettle (for scalding hogs), 100-gallon Goldens' kettle in an elaborate wood-fired furnace.

updated February, 2002

William Dukes (Quitman, Georgia)

William Dukes (Quitman, Georgia)

Type: Hobby. A family maintains the syrup-making traditions of forbearers.

Equipment: Goldens' power mill and wood-fired furnace with kettle.

updated April, 2002

Keefee and Friends (Nashville, Georgia)

Keefee and Friends (Nashville, Georgia)

Type: Hobby. Elmer Keefee, my first-cousin-once-removed, and his friends are among the most serious hobbyists one can find.

Equipment: QFM No. 14, 60-gallon Goldens' kettle in wood-fired furnace.

updated October, 2004

Under Construction

Under Construction

Operations  1-4   5-8   9-12   13-16   17-20   21-24   25-28   29-32   33-36   37-40   Top
 

Jarrell Plantation (Juliette, Georgia)

Jarrell Plantation (Juliette, Georgia)

Type: Historical. A state-operated site based on a middle-Georgia plantation in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Equipment: Very old frameless two-roller mill and kettles, Columbus No. 20, evaporator mounted in a wood-fired furnance.

Updated November, 2002

Charles Deese (Wellborn, Florida)

Charles Deese (Wellborn, Florida)

Type: Hobby. A retired engineer has returned to his family farm.

Equipment: Goldens' No. 2 (New Model) (motorized), Morven Machine and Foundry, Goldens' No. 2 (Old Style), Columbus No. 12 (mechanized)

Updated July, 2004

Abe Swan (Monticello, Florida)

Abe Swan (Monticello, Florida)

Type: Hobby.  Syrup making is the center of a three-day fall celebration

Equipment: Chattanooga No. 13 (Improved), Rourke 80-gallon kettle in a wood-fired furnace.

Updated January, 2003

Dewey Hall (Clarksville, Florida)

Dewey Hall (Clarksville, Florida)

Type:  Hobby/Sustenance.An authentic man- and mule-powered operation that attracts a close-knit community.

Equipment:  Chattanooga No. 12 (Old Style), Goldens' No. 2 (New Model), Columbus 100-gallon kettle mounted in a wood-fired furnace.

Updated January, 2003

Operations  1-4   5-8   9-12   13-16   17-20   21-24   25-28   29-32   33-36   37-40   Top
 

The Brinson-Harrison Operation (Whigham. Georgia)

The Brinson-Harrison Operation
(Whigham, Georgia)

Type:  Sideline/Hobby. A high-precision operation in its historical setting is operated by three generations of syrup makers.

Equipment:  Goldens' No. 27 (New Model), Chattanooga No. 92, gas-fired furnace with kettle.

Updated March, 2003

Roy Morris (Clarksville, Florida)

Roy Morris (Clarksville, Florida)

Type:  Hobby/Sideline.  A family-operated, efficient syrup factory with many innovations.

Equipment:  Goldens' No. 2 (New Model) (mechanized), 100-gallon Columbus kettle mounted in a gas-fired furnace.

Updated March, 2003

Elison Hendley and family (Nashville, Georgia)

Type: Historical. Reference to making sugar cane syrup provides the backdrop for a long-winded personal narrative about the times and neighbors who made syrup near my growing-up place.

Equipment: Two-roller frameless mill, kettles from two generations.

Updated October, 2004

Operations - Doug Croley (Havana, Florida)

Doug Croley (Havana, Florida)

Type: A community of family and friends. The narrative includes a commentary on early agriculture in Gadsden County (Florida) and Berrien County (Georgia).

Equipment: Chattanooga No. 14 (Improved), 60-gallon Crockett kettle mounted in a gas-fired furnace.

Updated October, 2003

Operations  1-4   5-8   9-12   13-16   17-20   21-24   25-28   29-32   33-36   37-40  Top

 

Operations  1-4   5-8   9-12   13-16   17-20   21-24   25-28   29-32   33-36   37-40  Top
 
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