Students from Tallulah Falls School got a living history lesson on November 21 at the historic Banks County courthouse in Homer. Henry Banks, a U.S. Navy veteran who served in WWII, spoke to the students there about his experience during the war.
“He shared his happiest moments and his saddest moments,” said history teacher Whittney LaHayne. “This was such a wonderful ending to our unit covering WWII.”
The courthouse, a two-story antebellum structure built in 1859, is one of the oldest in the state. It houses the historical society museum featuring art, WWII memorabilia and county records.
Students also toured the historic jail while on site. Constructed in 1906 and restored in 1983, the two-story structure, used as the county jail until 1972, features jailer’s quarters located on the lower level with two steel cells and a holding cell located on the second level. A trap-door gallows is also on the second floor.
photo courtesy Tallulah Falls School
