The Springfield Farm Supply was originally established in 1935 by Ralph Rahn and W. R. Lee as an open potato shed where potatoes were graded and shipped. Rahn bought out  Lee in a few years and he continued to ship potatoes, adding a farm supply business over the years.  In 1962, George Chance and Durelle Hagin purchased the business and ran it as partners until 1972 when Chance became sole owner.  During 1975 Chance remodeled, displaying products in individual stalls.  The business specialized in custom grinding and storing grains for livestock feed.  George Chance became Effingham’s representative in the Georgia House.  Sometime later the business was sold to Dr. Ray Webb and son Darwin Webb ran the business.  In the early 1990s the building burned and some of Springfield was evacuated as a precaution during the fire due to the chemicals stored in the business.  A few grain storage bins are all that remain on the lot of the business.  The building was never replaced with Darwin Webb opening a yard and garden business in a building east of the site. (This building is no longer in existence and sat on Second Street one block east of Laurel Street opposite what is now a parking lot behind the present First Effingham Bank.)  

Compiled by Susan Exley of Historic Effingham Society from file photos of Historic Effingham Society.  If you have photos, comments or information to share, contact Susan Exley at 754-6681 or email her at: susanexley@historiceffinghamsociety.org