Richmond Hill in Bryan County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The "Bottom" Village
Photographed By David Seibert, September 26, 2012
1. The "Bottom" Village Marker
Inscription.
The "Bottom" Village. . The “Bottom” residential village, built in the mid-1930s, was the first housing project developed by Henry Ford for his employees in the Ways Station (later Richmond Hill) area. The name originated from the fact that the area had been a swamp or a “bottom” before Ford had it cleared and drained. There was a similar employee residential community on the Clyde Road just west of Ways Station called “Blueberry Village”. In the Bottom there were 75 two-and-three-bedroom homes built for Ford’s workers. Also in the development were a recreation building and a baseball field. No rent was charged employees until 1945 when Ford, acceding to Internal Revenue Service requirements, began charging the modest sum of $15 per month. Ford, in turn, raised their pay $15 per month to take care of the rent.
The “Bottom” residential village, built in the mid-1930s, was the first housing project developed by Henry Ford for his employees in the Ways Station (later Richmond Hill) area. The name originated from the fact that the area had been a swamp or a “bottom” before Ford had it cleared and drained. There was a similar employee residential community on the Clyde Road just west of Ways Station called “Blueberry Village”. In the Bottom there were 75 two-and-three-bedroom homes built for Ford’s workers. Also in the development were a recreation building and a baseball field. No rent was charged employees until 1945 when Ford, acceding to Internal Revenue Service requirements, began charging the modest sum of $15 per month. Ford, in turn, raised their pay $15 per month to take care of the rent.
Erected 2012 by Coastal Bryan Heritage Trail.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1945.
Location. 31° 56.167′ N, 81° 18.133′ W. Marker is in Richmond Hill, Georgia, in Bryan County. Marker is at the intersection of Mimosa Street and Henry Ford Avenue (Georgia Route 144), on the right when traveling south on Mimosa Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Richmond Hill GA 31324, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Looking north on Mimosa Street, with Henry Ford Avenue in the distance.
Photographed By David Seibert, September 26, 2012
4. The "Bottom" Village Marker
The marker and one of the original houses of the "Bottom" village.
Photographed By David Seibert, September 26, 2012
5. The "Bottom" Village Marker
Looking south on Mimosa Street toward the baseball field.
Photographed By David Seibert, September 26, 2012
6. The "Bottom" Basefield Field
Photographed By David Seibert, September 26, 2012
7. A Recreation Building at The "Bottom" Basefield Field
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 1, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 964 times since then and 80 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 1, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
