Doug’s Place

Emerson, Georgia

History and Ownership

By Joe F. Head

Emerson’s Dinner Bell
History and Ownership of Doug’s Place

Doug and Melissa Ferguson

Mark and Pam Sullins

According to the Bartow County Deeds Office, the origin of “Doug’s Place” apparently began January 15,1902 with a lot sale from C. M. Jones (Bartow County) to G. L. Humphries (Cobb County). The transaction can be found in Deed Book JJ, page 641 in the amount of $500 or $18,000 in 2024. The parcel description includes improvements and is listed as follows:

“…beginning at the North West corner of Wisconsin Avenue and 7th Street, thence North along the West side of said 7th Street Seventy three (73) feet; thence West parallel with Wisconsin Avenue One Hundred and eighty (180) feet along the South line of the Sincock & Slipps property; thence South along the East side of a twelve (12) foot alley; Seventy three (73) feet to the North side of Wisconsin Avenue; and thence East along the North side of Wisconsin Avenue One Hundred and eighty (180) feet to the point of beginning.”

The 1902 deed lists the property boundaries with inventory including a “store house” (also known as the Wiley store house) oil tanks, livery stable building, display cases and fixtures. However, this inventory is not mentioned in deeds after 1917. Otherwise, the property description and location are consistent with subsequent deeds being on the corner of Wisconsin Street, fronting Seventh Street (today’s Highway 293) and across from the Western Atlantic (CSX) railroad. (Note, evidence exists that E. M. Wiley owned adjacent property that became parking area as noted in Book 22, page 392, October 30, 1923)

It appears the location was established by or before 1902 and evolved from a store house and livery stable to become a local general store and eventually roadside country diner.

Sequential owners are as follows:

Local Emerson historian and city father, Bill Popham shares that Union Paris operated a commissary in the old Bartow mining community (Lake Point Sports today). The commissary, a mile south of Emerson on Hwy 293, served about two dozen homes, Dixie highway traffic patrons, convict labor camp, smelting furnace, cemetery, and rail stop.

Union E. Paris

Emerson News, City Plat, 1897

Old Bartow Mining Community and location of Paris Commissary

A land promotion was announced for the public to purchase lots in a promising new town in north Georgia offering fresh air, clean water, and free of sickness. (See ad below)

1916 Sanborn Map

1897 Emerson Newspaper Advertisement

According to the 1897 lot map above, Doug’s is located on lot # 1 and has also adjoined lots #2, 3, 6, 7 and 8 overtime. It appears the 1902, “store house and stable” emerged to become a community general store that fully morphed into a roadside diner during the Morris years.

As the railroad continued to thrive and support for the mining industry increased, an upscale hotel was built in the promising new town to serve the travelers and mining investors. It was located on the east side of the railbed where the Emerson US Post Office stands today across from the Paris General Store

Original store

Emerson Hotel

Popham, a distant relative of Paris, states Union Paris saw the future, cash commerce potential, and clientele benefits. As a result, he moved his commissary to the store house location on the corner of Wisconsin and 7th Street (Hwy 293). He acquired the services of his brother-in-law Howard McEver, skilled carpenter, to update and expand the store house. Here he sold general merchandise, groceries and hardware where it became known as the Union Paris Store. After his death the store was transferred through a series of family ownerships and sold to the Morris family.

According to deed history the Morris family owned the property for the greatest span of time (41 years) beginning in 1953. According to Angela Morris, the store was known to serve hot dogs and hamburgers early on before offering a “meat and three” lunch menu. The store sold limited groceries including sliced bologna, canned goods, milk, candy, cakes, chips, soft drinks, and cigarettes. According to Popham, for a time, the Morris’ rented the store to the Tilley family, but eventually Lorena Morris returned as the proprietor. He also remembers the store became a bus stop for Cass High School students and as a result, the Morris Store began to offer sausage biscuits and a full breakfast.

Lorena Morris

Robert and Lorena

Lorena expanded food services offering up to twenty lunches per day and a different menu on each day. The railroad men often ate there daily. To gain popularity they discounted burgers, hot dogs, and soft drinks on the weekends for the local youth. Lorena’s younger sister, Carole McCollum Black recalls visiting the store often as a child. She remembers a pot belly stove and that Robert Morris was famous for playing a mean game of checkers with anyone who would take the challenge. She remarks that in those days, checkers were played with bottle caps. Carole also recalls that Robert and Lorena had living quarters in the rear of the café area. She said the Morrises took phone orders and their son, Jimmy would deliver groceries to customers. The café soon added a juke box, used real ice and an ice pick to cool Cokes in a drink box, and they continued to use a stock ladder on a rail to resupply shelves that were located behind the cash register. Patrons who dined at the café noted the ladder and thought it added a touch of country store charm.

Lorena Morris at cash register counter

Jimmy and Angela Morris

Following the 1994 Morris sale to Doug Ferguson, the diner became a favorite breakfast and lunch spot. Doug’s vision was to expand the menu to a tasty blue-plate meat and three country fare restaurant. His recipe was serving up traditional Americana food along with hiring young and cute waitresses made it the talk of Bartow County. Following Doug’s passing, his wife Melissa kept the doors open and continued dishing out Doug’s style of food and service.

During the COVID years, all businesses suffered a setback including Doug’s. Help was hard to find, but Melissa kept the food hot for a hungry and loyal public.

Col C. M. and Sarah Jones

Mark and Pam Sullins

What began with a 1902 store house perhaps built by C. M. Jones has today become Emerson’s “Big Chicken” landmark.

In 2022, Mark and Pam Sullins saw the potential that the location could offer and bought the property. Mark assured patrons the recipes would not change, promised to keep the name, he invested in technology and made a commitment to preserve the heritage of the country cafe. Mark worked masterfully with Emerson’s City Council and sought input from local citizens creating excitement and a partnership spirit with community.

The Sullins recognized Doug’s was the anchor to Emerson and ripe with opportunity. Mark’s vision was to take the eatery to the next level by remodeling dining space, paving the parking lot, installing a drive through pick up service, adding a community dining room, adding a mural of iconic images, updating the exterior façade to a rustic wood appeal, replacing the kitchen, and adding new restroom facilities. Soon Doug’s was serving lunch to the State Legislature and catering upscale events. Today, Doug’s continues to be the center of the community serving up hospitality, history and great southern cuisine. Mark and Pam have become Emerson’s superlative couple.

Acknowledgements
The author wishes to recognize the following:

• Mr. Sam Graham for his research assistance in locating vital deed records to discover the history of Doug’s Place in Emerson, Georgia.
• Ms. Angela Morris for her family knowledge and husband Jimmy’s family who owned the property for the greatest number of years until selling to Doug Ferguson
• Mrs. Carole McCollum Black, Sister to Lorena Morris
• Mr. Bill Popham, Emerson Historian

Sources:

Bartow County Deeds
Bartow County Deeds Office, Book JJ, Page 641, January 15, 1902
Bartow County Deeds Office, Book KK, Page 473, May 14, 1903
Bartow County Deeds Office, Book NN, Page 246, December 12, 1906
Bartow County Deeds Office, Book UU, Page 221, December 12, 1915
Bartow County Deeds Office, Book WW, Page 147, November 16, 1917
Bartow County Deeds Office, Book 98, Page57, December 12, 1951
Bartow County Deeds Office, Book 57, Page 57, February 27, 1952
Bartow County Deeds Office, Book 100, Page 554, December 18, 1953
Bartow County Deeds Office, Book 110, Page 409, May 18, 1957
Bartow County Deeds Office, Book 231, Page 221, January 25, 1974
Bartow County Deeds Office, Book 231, Page 45, August 7, 1975
Bartow County Deeds Office, Book 536, Page 369, March 10, 1987
Bartow County Deeds Office, Book 830, Page 501, June 10, 1994
Bartow County Deeds Office, Book 3516, Pages 17 – 23, November 28, 2022
Bartow County Deeds Office, Book 3515, Pages 17 – 24, November 29, 2022

Newsletters, Newspaper, Maps
EVHS Newsletter, Doug’s Place Surrounded by RR History, Barnnea, Volume 30, 1999
Emerson News, May 20, 1897, City plat
Sanborn Maps, 1916, Emerson, GA