Washington in Wilkes County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Lowe Building
Photographed By AGS Media, October 2, 2009
1. Lowe Building Marker
Smith (1867-1877) and
Fluker & Brother Cotton Gin Manufactory
(1875-1895).
Also the location of
W.T. Johnson's first store.
A hardware store has been located here
since 1884
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.
Location. 33° 44.207′ N, 82° 44.325′ W. Marker is in Washington, Georgia, in Wilkes County. Marker is on East Robert Toombs Avenue (Business U.S. 78) west of Jefferson Street, on the right when traveling east. The building is located southeast of the square in downtown Washington, along the border of the Washington Commercial Historic District (a National Historic District). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 22 East Robert Toombs Avenue, Washington GA 30673, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Washington Professional Baseball Team (a few steps from this marker); Great Fire of 1837 (a few steps from this marker); Site of W.T. Fluker Gun Smith (a few steps from this marker); Old Vault of the Citizens National Bank (a few steps from this marker); Stage Coach Inn (a few steps from this marker); Jean Marie Chotard LaPlace Home Site
this page online
More about this marker. The marker is on the front of the building, which is more commonly known as the Poss ACE Hardware store. The marker is on the brick pillar to the left of the store entrance.
The marker does not mention by whom it was erected, but it appears very similar to other historical markers throughout the area that were erected by the Washington-Wilkes Historical Foundation.
Regarding Lowe Building. The gun smith, William Thomas Fluker, Jr., was a Civil War veteran of Company D, 15th Georgia Vol. Infantry, Confederate States Army. His great-grandfather, Owen Fluker was part of the Wilkes County Regiments Georgia Militia during the Revolutionary War, and is mentioned on the Kettle Creek Battlefield historical marker (approximately 9 miles away, in southwest Wilkes County - note there are multiple markers for that site).
William Theophilus Johnson's "first store" was indeed a hardware store, though
Photographed By AGS Media, October 2, 2009
2. The Lowe Building and Poss ACE Hardware
Upon the Johnson's store site now stands the Lowe Building, which according to its capstone, was erected in 1930. It is commonly known as Poss ACE Hardware, opened by the late Virgil Poss and his wife Julia. In 1988, the Posses sold the business to Tommy Garrett, who had worked at the store since 1956. As of this page's submission, Mr. Garrett continues to operate the store; and in 2006, Mr. Garrett was honored by ACE with the Estwing Golden Hammer Award for 50 years of service in the hardware trade.
Photographed By AGS Media, October 2, 2009
3. Lowe Building Capstone
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2011, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. This page has been viewed 545 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 8, 2011, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. 3. submitted on July 9, 2011, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
