Statesboro and Bulloch County firefighters responded to 6319 Banks Dairy Road for a home fire a little after 5 PM Thursday, November 24. When firefighters arrived to the 116 year old, two story wood home heavy smoke was coming from the attic area.
The firefighters made entry in to the home, which was originally constructed in 1904, located the fire in the attic and had the fire under control within a few minutes of arriving. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and no one was home when the fire began.
You can see from the pictures how heavily involved the fire was when firefighters arrived. Because of the location of the home in the county, the age and construction of wood this was a very impressive save by our local fire departments.
Homeowner Very Grateful For Firefighters
Homeowner Kimberly Bennett shared her thoughts and appreciation to the firefighters on Facebook last night. "I’m still shaking and trying to wrap my mind around this. So many memories. So incredibly thankful no one was hurt and our home was saved. Words can’t describe the immense gratitude and appreciation I have for Bulloch Fire, Statesboro Fire, first responders, neighbors and friends. THANK YOU. THANK YOU."
This home has a rich history in Bulloch County. For decades it was the homeplace and location of the Banks Dairy Farm.
BANKS DAIRY FARM
According to a historical marker placed on the property by the Bulloch County Historical society, the Banks Dairy Farm was operated on this site. The dairy included 900 acres of cultivated land combined with dairying operations. David Callaway Banks, born April 8, 1882, in Bulloch County, Georgia, was the founder of Banks Dairy Farm and the City Dairy Company. D. C. Banks married Sarah Juliann Brannen in 1906 and in 1908 purchased the first part of what was to become Banks Dairy Farm. In 1932 D. C. Banks purchased an adjoining farm from his father-in-law, James Gross Brannen, dramatically expanding the farm.
The main concentration of the Banks Dairy Farm was dairy operations with most of the milk going to the family owned City Dairy Company. The farm also produced other livestock, wheat, cotton, tobacco, peanuts, watermelon and corn.
Each of the children of D. C. and Anna Banks performed specific jobs on the farm under the overall supervision of D. C. Osborne was in charge of the plant in town, Lonnie in charge of milking, Edwin in charge the feed crops, and Henry handled milk. Other children included Nina, Grace, Martha Ann and Bernard. The dairying operation of the farm ended in 1982 with the sale to Coble Dairy.
