Fitzgerald in Ben Hill County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Jefferson Davis Memorial State Park

Photographed By David Seibert, January 17, 2011

1. Jefferson Davis Memorial State Park Marker

Inscription. On May 4, 1865, Jefferson Davis arrived in Washington, Georgia (178 miles NE of the Park), where he performed his last duties as President of the Confederate States of America. Shortly thereafter, with a small staff and escort, he departed enroute to the trans-Mississippi Department where, supported by those Confederate forces not yet surrendered, he hoped to negotiate a just peace.

After a difficult journey via Sandersville, Dublin and Abbeville, he camped a mile north or Irwinville (9 miles SW) in the present Jefferson Davis Memorial Park, unaware that, in Dublin, the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry had found his trail and begun pursuit.

At dawn on May 10th, his camp was surrounded by men of the 1st Wisconsin and 4th Michigan cavalry regiments and he became a “state prisoner”, his hopes for a new nation -- in which each state would exercise without interference its cherished “Constitutional Rights” -- forever dead.

To visit the park, take State 107 from Fitzgerald to its junction with State 32, thence to Irwinville. To continue south after the visit, turn left in Irwinville on State 32 to its junction with US 129 in Ocilla.

Erected 1984 by Georgia Historical Commission, Georgia Department of Natural Resources. (Marker Number 009-3.)

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This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1812.

Location. 31° 42.891′ N, 83° 15.184′ W. Marker is in Fitzgerald, Georgia, in Ben Hill County. Marker is at the intersection of West Central Avenue (U.S. 319) and Grant Street (U.S. 129), in the median on West Central Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fitzgerald GA 31750, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fitzgerald (here, next to this marker); Dedicated to the Veterans of 1898 - 1902 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fitzgerald Rotary Club (about 600 feet away); Ben Hill County (approx. 0.2 miles away); In Grateful Appreciation of The Boys of Ben Hill Co. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Portable Confinement Cage (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gen. Bush's Home (approx. 0.6 miles away); First Baptist Church Bell (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fitzgerald.

More about this marker. This marker is a replacement for an earlier marker with the same title and similar text, erected by the Georgia Historical Commission at this location, which had disappeared.

Photographed By David Seibert, January 17, 2011

2. Jefferson Davis Memorial State Park Marker

Photographed By David Seibert, January 17, 2011

3. Jefferson Davis Memorial State Park Marker

Looking east on West Central Avenue, the marker is on the left, next to a marker for Fitzgerald.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2019. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,181 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 19, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.