Saturday, April 16, 2011

Post Office History in Daisy

We don't want to lose our post office. We may be a small community - but we are a community, the oldest in Evans County and losing our post office would be like losing our identity.


The Daisy Post Office was established July 31, 1890. Daisy was in Tattnall County then. The formation of Evans County was not until October of 1914.

Post masters included:
Thomas Jefferson Edwards (July 31, 1890 - October 15, 1897)
Thomas Hershel Durrence (October 15, 1897 - February 11, 1903)

George W. Ellarbee (February 11, 1903-October 20, 1914) and (December 13, 1917 - September 18, 1929)
Otto Cowart  (October 20, 1914-December 13, 1917)

  Lewis P. Stirckland served from May 16, 1931 until November 15, 1942.  His widow, 94-year-old Cletus Strickland said Saturday, April 16 that "I want it to stay." She still gets her mail at the post office.

Save the Daisy Post Office

On April 26, 2011, at 4;30 p.m. at the community center in Daisy, officials from the United States Post Office will be presiding over a community hearing as they are deciding to close the Daisy post office.

On April 16, 2011, a group of citizens of all ages, genders and races gathered in front of the post office to express their concerns over the possible closing to Rebecca Holland, Editor of The Claxton Enterprise.

No one wants it closed. An article will appear in the April 20 edition of the Claxton Enterprise.

Help us save our post office.

A bit of Daisy

Like many of the towns that once prospered along the route of the railroads as they carved their way through the piney woods opening lines west from Savannah, Daisy emerged as a prosperous trade center after the railroad came through in 1890. 

Cotton was once ginned in Daisy and shipped by train to factories around the country. So was turpentine, which was stored in barrels manufactured in the town for shipment by rail. 

Much preservation has been done in recent years to make Daisy more appealing to residents and visitors. Original buildings along the main street have been restored, extensive landscaping added, and a red caboose is featured prominently as a part of the scenic town located about two miles east of Claxton.

Daisy's city hall has been preserved since the early 1900s when it once served as the office of Dr. George W. Ellarbee.

DAISY GOVERNING OFFICIALS

Mayor, City of Daisy
• Inman Brown, Jr.
Phone: 912-739-2125

Mayor ProTempore
• Carson Sands, Jr.

Council Members
• Homer Sapp
• Carson Sands, Jr.
• James Scott Roundtree
• Henry Morgan
• Donna M. Driggers

MEETINGS: The regular meetings of the Daisy city council are conducted at 7:00 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held at Daisy Town Hall.

ADMINISTRATION & SERVICES

CITY CLERK
• Carolyn Brown
Phone: 912-739-2125

LAW ENFORCEMENT
• Evans County Sheriff's Dept.
Phone: 912-739-1611

FIRE DEPARTMENT
• Claxton Volunteer Dept.
Phone: 912-739-3111

FOREST FIRE:
• Evans County Forestry Unit
Phone: 912-739-1511

AMBULANCE:
• Emergency Medical Service
Phone: 911

 

The Naming of Daisy

The first order of business was a name for the town. Conley became the name in honor of the Rev. W.F.M. Conley, who was the Methodist minister serving the area at the time.


 This was unacceptable to postal authorities since there was already a Conley, Georgia. The town's name was then changed to Daisy in honor of Mr. Edwards' daughter, Daisy Leola.


 The post office was then established on July 31, 1890.

Daisy, Georgia - The beginning

Daisy, located about three and one-half miles east of Claxton, Georgia,  began as a railroad town. Established in 1890, it was a busy shipping center for naval stores, farm produce and lumber products.

Mr. Caleb Rogers and Mr. Thomas Jefferson Edwards owned all or most of the land that is now Daisy.

Mr. Edwards contracted the right-of-way for the railroad to be built through Daisy. Lots were then surveyed out and sold.