Cuthbert in Randolph County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Rolling Stores
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 5, 2025
1. Rolling Stores Marker
In the early 20th century, rolling stores began to appear throughout rural areas in an effort to bring goods to people. Rolling stores carried food, bread, supplies, clothing, and seasonal goods among other items. As a rule, rolling store owners would accept cash or barter for farm produce and in some cases, farm animals, such as chickens and cows. By the late 1960s, the need for rolling stores dwindled due to the increased use of automobiles. These stores, that were life lines for those in rural areas for many years, began to be retired. Woodman's Rolling Store, purchased by Ben Lunsford in 1990, is on loan. Woodman's Rolling Store operated out of the Woodman's General Store at the intersection of Grubbs and Fountain Bridge Roads. Woodman's Rolling Store served the following counties from 1957-1962: Calhoun, Dougherty, Randolph, Stewart, Terrell. A way of life retired with the loss of the rolling stores.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1957.
Location. 31° 46.389′ N, 84° 47.352′ W. Marker is in Cuthbert, Georgia, in Randolph County. It is at the intersection of Court Street (Georgia Route 216) and East Church Street, on the left when traveling north on Court Street. The marker
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Coastal Plain. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Second Creek War in Randolph County (within shouting distance of this marker); The City of Cuthbert and Early Randolph County (within shouting distance of this marker); Randolph County (within shouting distance of this marker); 1929 American LaFrance Fire Truck (within shouting distance of this marker); Frederick Davis Patterson, M.D. / Patterson Hospital (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Carnegie Library (about 600 feet away); The George McDonald House (about 600 feet away); Site of First Randolph County Courthouse (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cuthbert.
Also see . . . Like a Rolling Store: These Mobile Shops Changed Rural American Life (Time.com).
(By Emelyn Rude) Excerpt: A rolling store is exactly what its name suggests. Although mobile vendors have existed since well before the nations founding, these vendors were limited by the distance their horses or feet could carry them. That changed with the spread of the diesel engine in the early 20th century. Rural families who lacked(Submitted on October 11, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)access to mechanized forms of rapid transportation could still only make it into town maybe three or four times in an entire year to do their essential shopping, but now the store could come to them, often in the form of a brightly painted truck or retrofitted bus that would stop at the same places at the same time each week.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 5, 20252. Rolling Stores MarkerLooking north across the Historic Randolph County Courthouse grounds. East Church Street crosses in the background and Court Street is on the right. The marker is mounted atop a pole located beside the Woodman's Rolling Store exhibit.
Many a rolling stores motto was also We Buy Anything, We sell Everything, meaning rural families could also barter with the store, trading eggs, chickens and pecans for items like flour, shoes, or chewing tobacco. As a result, in addition to the childrens joyful cries of Here it comes! Here it comes! and the honking of the stores horn, a municipality could often tell if a rolling store was on its way by the cacophony of squawking emanating from the overloaded chicken coops on the top or back of the truck.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 5, 2025
3. Woodman's Rolling Store
The historical marker is on the left side of the exhibit. The Historic Randolph County Courthouse is in the background.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 5, 2025
4. Woodman's Rolling Store
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 5, 2025
5. Woodman's Rolling Store
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 5, 2025
6. Woodman's Rolling Store
Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 96 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 10, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
