Southern Cotton Oil Co.
Also known as: Whitworth Feed Mill, Inc.
Why it's listed
Lavonia's first industry began in 1890 as the Southern Cotton Oil Company, a mill on W. Main Street beside the railroad line. It ginned cotton and processed cotton seed in a two-story brick building with segmental arched windows, later filled in with brick, and original timber structural members still visible inside. A frame warehouse of similar age was added to the north and is now sheathed in metal. The company operated until 1960, when Lavonia Manufacturing Company acquired the property. After several changes of ownership, the old building was reworked as a warehouse and a feed mill was added in 1967 and later years. The site still produces chicken feed for broiler operations. The mill is significant for its place in local industrial history. It reflects the New South push to bring industry to small towns and the efforts of local businessmen to diversify the economy using area crops and rail transportation. Its plain buildings represent small-town industrial architecture in Georgia.
Significance in brief: It is considered significant as Lavonia's first local industry, established in 1890. It reflects the "New South" philosophy of industrial development in small towns and local efforts to diversify the economy using regional agricultural products. Its utilitarian buildings represent small-town industrial architecture in Georgia.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 83000218, listed September 1, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | W. Main St., Lavonia |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | September 1, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83000218 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a feed mill producing chicken feed for broiler operations; the original mill building and warehouse are described as in fair condition. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 34.43335, -83.10531 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 83000218.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.