Near Demorest in Habersham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Habersham Iron Works & Mfg. Co.

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Photographed By David Seibert, October 22, 2005

1. Habersham Iron Works & Mfg. Co. Marker

Inscription. On the site of the Habersham Cotton Mills stood the Habersham Iron Works and Manufacturing Co., incorporated in late 1837 when this section of the state was Indian country. Jarvis Van Buren, a cousin of President Martin Van Buren and a pioneer eastern railroad man, arrived in 1838 to operate the plant for its stockholders who included John C. Calhoun. In a region far from railroads necessary machines and supplies must have come by mule or ox wagon from Augusta. The iron mill operated for a few years, closed and reopened during the War Between the States when guns and cannon were urgently needed for the Confederacy.

Erected 1955 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 068-5.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #08 Martin Van Buren, and the Georgia Historical Society series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1837.

Location. 34° 35.413′ N, 83° 33.635′ W. Marker is near Demorest, Georgia, in Habersham County. Marker is on Habersham Mills Village Drive just south of Habersham Mills Complex Drive, on the left when traveling south. The marker is located on the property of the

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now-closed (1999) Habersham Cotton Mills. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Demorest GA 30535, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Piedmont College (approx. 1.9 miles away); John Robert Mize (approx. 2 miles away); Home of Johnny Mize (approx. 2 miles away); Habersham County (approx. 2.6 miles away); Clarkesville War Memorial (approx. 2.6 miles away); De Soto (approx. 2.6 miles away); Toombs-Bleckley House (approx. 2.7 miles away); Grace Protestant Episcopal Church (approx. 2.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Demorest.

Additional commentary.
1. Habersham Cannon
While the marker indicates cannon were produced for the Confederate army, no source other than the linked web site, supports this inference. Records for the Atlanta Ordnance Depot do not mention any "Habersham" guns processed. Nor does the Chickamauga-Chattanooga Battlefield have any examples on display. Gun making in the Civil War era required specialized equipment for casting, boring, and finishing of the guns. Likely, however, is the use of Habersham iron in the production of guns cast at Rome, Atlanta, Columbus, Selma (Alabama), and other manufacturing facilities.

— Submitted
Photographed By David Seibert, June 18, 2011

2. Habersham Iron Works & Mfg. Co. Marker
January 29, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.

Photographed By David Seibert, June 18, 2011

3. Habersham Iron Works & Mfg. Co. Marker

The main street of Habersham Cotton Mills, with the marker on the left

Habersham Cotton Mills image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David Seibert, June 18, 2011

4. Habersham Cotton Mills

Buildings at the now-closed Habersham Cotton Mills

Photographed By David Seibert, June 18, 2011

5. Habersham Cotton Mills

The former post office and store at the now-closed Habersham Cotton Mills

Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 14, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,379 times since then and 49 times this year. Last updated on January 14, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photos: 1. submitted on January 14, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 23, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.