The heart and soul of many Southern towns can be found in the town square, which serves as a gathering place for the entire community. Colquitt is fortunate to have such a square. This mural is divided into four panels, each depicting a different era.
1900s, Panel 1 - "The Circus Comes to Town"
The arrival of the Big Top was exciting in every small town. For a long-married couple here, it holds special meaning as the opportunity for their first date. The young man asked the young lady if she would like to go out with him. She asked him where they were going - after all, no self-respecting woman went out on a date unless her parents knew exactly where she was going. The young man asked if she would enjoy going to "the show," meaning the movies. "No," she said. (Too dark.) He suggested "riding around." Her reply was again, "No." (Night riding was not respectable.) In desperation, the young man blurted, "Well, the circus is in town, would you like to go?" In response, he received an enthusiastic "Yes." Today they will both tell you, "It's been a three-ring circus ever since."
1920s, Panel 2 - "Bull Comes to Colquitt"
This story recalls a local family that had a barn and a cow pen located on South Cuthbert Street in Colquitt. Here they kept not only cows, but a large bull. Nearby, where the Tarrer Inn is now located, community watering troughs were available. Visitors stopped here, got down from their horses and buggies or mule wagons and left their animals to be watered while they went about their town business. Another frequent visitor was the large bull. The family who owned the bull never figured out how the animal escaped - or why - although they suspect he may have just been "sociable."
Workmen at the sawmill at the corner of Cuthbert Street and Highway 27 would sound the alarm. "Bull's out!" they would holler, "Mr. Johnnie's bull is coming! Get everything in!" At once, merchants with goods on the sidewalks would rush out to move the merchandise out of harm's way. No one could do a thing with that bull except Mr. Johnnie and his hired man. So each time the bull escaped, they'd be called out to lead him back home.
1940s, Panel 3 - "A Young Soldier Leaves Colquitt"
This is the bittersweet tale of young men leaving home to fight during World War II. Some returned home. Others did not. For eight years, one of Colquitt's young men was "missing in action." His father traveled all over the country and finally to France in search of him. But before he left, he told his wife, "If I don't find him, I'll call you and say I'll be home for Sunday dinner." One day she got a call from France. She met the train. Her son arrived in a flag-draped coffin, accompanied by her husband, home for Sunday dinner.
1950s, Panel 4 - "Hanging Out On The Square"
While many stories are featured in this panel, one of the most prominent is that of high school sweethearts who got married. They had two children and laughed and loved for more than 30 years...and then the man discovered he had cancer. He received chemotherapy, which caused his hair to fall out. Over time, however, his hair began growing back. One night his wife kissed him on his "little bald head." He looked up at her and said, "I know why my hair is growing back. It's those hot lips of yours." Laughter is the best medicine.
Mural Location:Corner of North Cuthbert and West Main Streets
