Born in West Virginia in a little town called Rhinehart on May 20, 1910, Wilbur Dallas Hall, Sr. evolved as a very special and creative child of God. He came out kicking and screaming and no one was surprised! He grew up, educated himself in the small town and subsequently moved to Georgia to attend medical school at Emory University. After graduation and internship, Dr. Hall moved to Calhoun with his wife, Ruby Koon Hall to begin his very successful career in medicine.
In February of the year 1943, when the skies were the bluest of aquamarine, the air was crisp and clear and the night sky crystals framed the luminous moon, Wilbur Dallas Hall Senior, also know around town as "Doc Hall" or "Pop" to his family, rode up to LeiHall Farm in his new Chevy truck and said, "this is it!". "I want all of this beautiful old cotton plantation". Of course, what "Pop" wanted, "Pop" got.
The paperwork was drawn up for the purchase of Hammond Plantation. The property, which totaled 275 Acres, was bought and paid for in cash on March 12, 1943. Total price paid for the land, old plantation house, and out buildings was a mere $10,000.00.
On September 9, 1953, Ruby Koon Hall died. Her death was unexpected and tragic. After Ruby’s death, Pop began a long roller coaster ride in his personal life. He came to Leihall to fish, think, drink and hunt. He continued to perform his miraculous and well-known medical procedures repeatedly over and over in his head, while he fished, hunted, thought and drank. He brought his women; his wives, his lovers and he brought his passions and his incredible zest for living to this place year after year.
Through the years, some of the adjoining acreage of the old plantation was sold to local farmers. The heart of the land was always protected, maintained and cherished for its privacy. The 88 acres that now remains was renamed LeiHall Farm in 2004; “Lei” after Doctor Hall’s daughter, Shirley Hall Moore, whose nickname throughout college was Lei and who unselfishly kept and maintained the farm for her children and grandchildren after Pops death in March 14, 1985.
Dr. Hall loved to eat, especially fresh vegetables and fruits. He always shared his abundant garden crops with patients and neighbors all of which were grown here at Leihall. Today, the tradition continues by way of organic and naturally grown produce, which, we know would make him proud. We even provide medicinal herbs on occasion and we know he would approve.
Pop shared his knowledge, his wealth, his open mind and his very advanced medical knowledge and technique with all that knew him. Those that were fortunate to encounter him along his stroll on life’s highway were overcome with mixed feelings of respect, love and trepidation- as he could be an overpowering individual.
Respected? Very much so. Doc Hall performed surgeries on folks around here 50 years ago that are considered advanced medicine applications today. Forty years ago, Doc Hall didn’t want to put children on antibiotics. He KNEW, that too many antibiotics could cause the young immune system to weaken. Fifty years ago, Doc Hall would become upset if he saw a mole being untreated on an adult’s face, especially on the farmers skin, bronzed repeatedly by the sun. Doc Hall knew about the effects of the sun and skin long before any dermatologist started selling facial sunscreen. The tumors he removed, the babies he delivered, the casts and splints and operations he performed on his patients kitchen tables will never be forgotten and are often relived and told by thankful children and grandchildren. Yes, Doc Hall still made house calls until the day he retired. It is rare, that I go for more than a week’s time without hearing someone tell me what a wonderful person my grandfather was and how he had saved a life of someone they loved. The stories of Johnson-Hall Hospital will live forever as a historical site downtown Calhoun. For one man to have done so much, and saved so many is a legacy to be remembered, exampled and coveted for many more generations to come. Leihall Farm will make this all possible for our children and their children.
LeiHall Farm will forever be a part of Doc Hall. He lives by reflection in the pond, in the families of deer as they playfully race across the pasture at night, and in the birds, eagles and wild game that fly in and out of the pines. He lives in my mind as I remember the smile on his face as he handed me my first cane pole and told me to catch one of the little bream feeding on the shore. Of course, I caught the darn fish and subsequently (and was very strongly reminded that I had to if, I was to become a great fisherwoman) taught by the surgeon to clean it at the mere age of 6!
Today, Doc Halls daughter, Shirley Hall Moore and his granddaughter, Rhonda Hobgood Shannon, own, live and work the farm. True to tradition, we farm, we fish and we drink, lots and lots of herbal iced teas! Our goal is to create a perfect and natural setting, farming for health and for family to live peacefully and happily ever after….. long after the rest of the world has become a little crazy and a very long time after Dr. Wilbur D. Hall bought and paid for the wonderful peace of heaven for his family. Little did he know at the time, what a gift this farm would be, which was only one of many but, probably the best of all!
Yes, Pop would be proud!
Plainville, Georgia
30733-0554
Fax: (706) 295-9186
