The Building's History
The Fitzgerald Pillars sits at the perimeter of quaint downtown Fitzgerald, Georgia and is one of the town’s oldest and most endeared properties. Constructed as a home in 1905 by banker E.K. Farmer, the primary building was further developed in 1918 by the Powell family to include its iconic façade of brick steps and towering white pillars. Not until the 1950s was it purchased by the Fitzgerald Elks Club which constructed the grand ballroom that has served as the building’s hallmark feature and function since. In 2013, the timeless property was carefully restored and expanded by Anna Bryant Howell and Mark Oliver to preserve its beauty and legacy.
The Owners
From left to right: John Foster, Leah Foster, Ty Hogan, Jennifer Wiley, Hal Wiley
John and Leah Foster are “middle school sweethearts” who purchased the former Elks Lodge with the goal of reinvigorating the property and extending it to the public as a space for events and social gatherings. They founded The Fitzgerald Pillars in 2020 as an homage to the building’s grand structure and the town that had fueled their entrepreneurial spirit.
In March of 2023, the Fosters partnered with a team whose experiences and shared motivations would allow the business to continue growing and positively serving the people of Fitzgerald.
Hal and Jennifer Wiley are Fitzgerald natives who contribute actively and in numerous capacities to the local community. Hal is a seasoned entrepreneur and business operator with a wealth of experience surrounding the Entertainment and Hospitality industries. He leads daily operations of The Pillars and serves as a coach to the other partners.
Ty Hogan is an experienced bartender whose strong background in this industry and exceptional interpersonal skills led him to be hired as the General Manager of Pillars Pub, the sister company of The Fitzgerald Pillars which opened in August of 2022. Ty is the leader of all Pillars Pub operations and supports the management and execution of special events hosted at The Pillars.
Together, the partners operate as a closely knit team whose vision for the business is to facilitate an atmosphere that promotes the social culture of South Georgia and creates cherished memories for guests.