In the late 1800's and the early 1900's there were no paved streets in Newton. We have talked with several people who remember when the paving crews came through the town. It was about 1926/27. In the center of the picture you will notice the town well in the middle of the street. Also to your left you will notice a pole. We think this may have been a telegraph system. This picture is dated about 1900.
In the c. 1912 picture you will notice the well is gone. It is unknown whether it was moved or just done away with. The pole is still in the picture. Wintersmith's Chill Tonic was obviously popular. On the right you will see what we think was a feed and seed store. In the far background is the Commander Hotel, later bought by Mrs. Mancil and used for different functions such as a boarding house and the telephone office, etc. You will also see the old bank and the old Masonic building.
The road is now paved. This picture shows a camper trailer at the Sinclair station. The station has been torn down and now is a small grocery store. The larger picture from which this one came shows two campers at that store. This picture is dated about 1945.
Color photography is now being used. In this picture you see a milk truck, a soft drink truck, and a bread truck. I have hesitated to put the names on these commercial vehicles because the names are not readily available, however, many people have seen this picture and we think we can identify all of them. Apparantly this was taken during the week since the trucks are making their deliveries. The person who submitted this picture said that the milk truck was converted to a linen truck making a delivery to the Adcock garage.
Keep in mind that this street has not always been the main road. The road behind the buildings on your left was the main stagecoach road between South Georgia and Montgomery, Alabama. It was a well traveled road and it is still being used to date. This picture dates about 1950.
