The Forest-Audelia intersection today is home to Big Mama’s Chicken and Waffles. But long ago, the grounds housed a tiny general store, post office and gin mill called Ardelia and owned by pioneers James Everts and John Fredrick West. The proprietors were father and (second) husband, respectively, to Ardelia Ellen Jackson. The Jackson family lived on the future Richland College acreage. They built Jackson School across the street from the store; Ardelia taught and her brother, C.W., was a trustee. Audelia, the road, is named for Ardelia — it’s just spelled wrong. This information comes primarily from Mary Jackson Sutherland (deceased), who is Ardelia Ellen Jackson West’s niece and her contribution to the Garland Genealogical Society.
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