Thomasville in Thomas County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Roberts Family Garage

1942

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 6, 2025

1. Roberts Family Garage Marker

Inscription.
The Roberts Garage was built in 1942, shortly after the Roberts family purchased 725 North Dawson Street. Built to match the main house, the garage originally had a cupola that was blown off during Hurricane Kate in 1985. The six door, three bay garage was also built with a drive that wrapped around the rear to allow drivers to face forward when pulling out, therefore never having to go in reverse or make a U-turn to exit. The Roberts Garage was the longtime home of Mildred Robert's giant Cadillac, which is still well-remembered by many.

Currently the Roberts Garage is home to several vehicles, most notably, the 1916 American LaFrance, which is believed to be the Thomasville Fire Department's first motorized fire engine. On the far left is Miss Fannie Chisholm's 1927 hardtop Model T. Miss Fannie drove her car, nicknamed the “Blue Bomber” for its once deep-blue color, until 1961. In her later years, Miss Fannie earned a reputation as an unconventional driver, frequently going through stop signs and stop lights, and driving down the middle of streets which earned her the nickname “The Moses of Broad Street.” Folklore has

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it she had her license revoked after it was discovered she was legally blind. Next to the “Blue Bomber” is the 1924 Cox Model T. Legend has it Mr. Cox found his original Model T many years after selling it, and restored it in the 1960s. The Faulk family of Cairo donated it to the Museum of History after the passing of his widow in the 1980s. Other transportation artifacts in the Roberts Garage include a duck-hunting boat from Millpond Plantation, a large sedan-style wagon from Horseshoe Plantation, a smaller coupe wagon, and a collection of tricycles from around Thomas County.

Erected by Thomasville History Center.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1942.

Location. 30° 50.742′ N, 83° 59.072′ W. Marker is in Thomasville, Georgia, in Thomas County. It can be reached from North Dawson Street just south of East Jerger Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker and garage are on the Thomasville History Center grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 725 North Dawson Street, Thomasville GA

Marker detail: 1916 American LaFrance image. Click for full size.

October 6, 2025

2. Marker detail: 1916 American LaFrance

31792, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Coastal Plain. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Wiregrass.

Globally, it is in 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: Oliver C. Ewart Bowling Alley (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to the Smith Family Homestead (a few steps from this marker); Flowers-Roberts House (a few steps from this marker); O.C. Ewart Bowling Alley (a few steps from this marker); Rufus Smith Log House (within shouting distance of this marker); Yeoman Tool Shed (within shouting distance of this marker); Dixie Highway (within shouting distance of this marker); Metcalfe Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Thomasville.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 6, 2025

3. Roberts Family Garage Marker

The marker is in front of the garage.

Roberts Family Garage image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 6, 2025

4. Roberts Family Garage

1926 Chisholm Ford Model T image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 6, 2025

5. 1926 Chisholm Ford Model T

(inside garage) Known affectionately as the “Blue Bomb,” this Ford Model T was purchased by Frances Chisholm in 1926 from the Thomasville Sales Company. Following her death in 1971, the Model T was donated to the Thomasville History Center.

1916 American LaFrance Fire Engine image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 6, 2025

6. 1916 American LaFrance Fire Engine

(inside garage) This is the second motorized fire engine purchased by the City of Thomasville and was in active use for nearly 50 years. Restored with funds donated in honor of Mr. Robert R. “Russ” Jinright, Jr. Restored in 2017.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 11, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.