In the late 1920’s Nahunta had three automobile dealerships. By the early 1940’s, there were none. What happened; poor salesmanship; poor market; economic depression? New motorized vehicles were introduced at the turn of the 20th century. Regardless of how much they were coveted, the horseless carriage was still a "unique creature" in southeast Georgia up through the 1910-1912 period. Although relatively cheap by today’s standards, automobiles were nothing more than pipe dreams for most families.
A "Runabout Ford could be bought for about $260; a "Touring Car, about $290; a Tudor Sedan, $580, and a Fordor Sedan, $680. In most cases an entire farm did not cost that much. The annual wages of some farmers might not exceed $200-$300. Some of Brantley County families did not own automobiles until after World War II, late 1940's.
To make matters worse, there was no evidence of hard surface roads in Brantley County until the mid-late 1920’s, except for the old Brick Bat Road which ran between Waynesville and Brunswick. Built during the late 1700's, evidence of the Brick Bat Roads was still visible until the mid-1900's. It was built by slaves to provide a route from the coast to summer homes and the resort area of Mineral Springs. The name of this road resulted from it’s structure of bricks.
About the time Brantley County was created Fred O. Knox became the first automobile dealer in Brantley County. Following the "economic boom" of Nahunta becoming the county site, other businessmen opened up dealerships also. By 1930, there had been three dealerships in Nahunta: Ford, Chevrolet, and Willys Knight.
1. KNOX MOTOR COMPANY (FORD): Fred O. Knox owned and operated the first automobile dealership in Nahunta, a Ford Company. J. Morris Highsmith was the General Manager. The location of this business faced the Brunswick-Western Railroad tracks from the south, east of the old Citizen Bank building (built in 1925), and next door (west) to the Fred O. Knox home place (current Chambless Funeral Home). The old Knox Motor Company building was eventually inherited by Mrs. Mannie Orser, and later became known as the Orser building
On June 18, 1925, the Knox Motor Company business was sold to John W. Brooker and Sons. Mr. Gilmer H. Brooker, a son, acted as the owner-manager, and J. Morris Highsmith continued as general manager for a short while. Mr. John W. Brooker continued to devote his time to the J. W. Brooker & Sons mercantile store and the Nahunta Post Office.
On October 14, 1926, the Ford dealership was purchased by J. H. and G. R. King of Waycross, Georgia (King Brothers Motor Company). This new enterprise was known as the Brantley Motor Co.; said name adopted through respect to Brantley County, with Mr. Fred L. Henderson as General Manager. Mr. Banner Thomas, of Hoboken was a salesman for cars, trucks, and tractors. Mr. J.O. (Johnnie) Strickland, also continued as a salesman, Mr. W.O. (Oscar) Strickland, the mechanic along with Melvin R. DePratter.
2. JONES CHEVROLET COMPANY: The second automobile dealership was established on October 10, 1925 by Dan L. Jones, son of Rev. B. Frank Jones. It was a Chevrolet dealership. This enterprise was located at the north-east corner of the Waycross-Brunswick and Jesup-Folkston highway intersection. Later, the site of a Five and Dime Store and a Washerteria operated by the Highsmith family.
Operation of the Chevrolet dealership was later assumed by J. Morris Highsmith and Fulton R. Newton, and became known as the NAHUNTA MOTOR COMPANY.
3. SMITH’S AUTOMOBILE AGENCY: In August, 1928, Mr. W.H.O. Smith of Hickox established a third automobile agency to market the Willys-Knight and Overland Whippet Automobile. This agency was located in a building on main street and State Highway 50, Waycross - Brunswick. Ford, Chevrolet, and Willys were the most popular built automobiles of that day. How much bigger choice could you ask in such a small market? But, history confirms that "times were hard" in Brantley County during the 1920’s and 30’s. Both jobs and money was scarce. For most of the prospective buyer’s of automobiles "bread on the table was more important than a new car parked under the tobacco barn shed". Tight incomes among a sparsely populated area did very little to promote sales or assure longevity in business. It is not known how long either of these automobile dealerships survived. Inaugural openings are festive and highly advertised; closings are somewhat somber.