Louisville in Jefferson County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
"Yazoo Fraud"
Photographed By David Seibert, November 1990
1. "Yazoo Fraud" Marker
The notorious "Yazoo Fraud" act was passed and later repealed in the old State Capitol that stood here 1794-1807. The 1794 Georgia legislature sold 35,000,000 acres of land along the Yazoo River in what is now Alabama and Mississippi at 1˝ cents per acre. James Jackson resigned as U.S. Senator to run for the Georgia legislature and urge repeal of the Yazoo act. He succeeded in 1796. The act itself and all records of it were burned on the grounds here "with fire from heaven" aided by a sunglass. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the land sales. Congress paid Georgia $1,250,000 for the Yazoo territory (1802), then paid the land buyers $4,000,000 (1810). The land went into the new states of Alabama and Mississippi.
Erected 1978 by Georgia Department of Natural Resources. (Marker Number 081-3.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Political Subdivisions • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 16, 1810.
Location. 32° 59.914′ N, 82° 24.482′ W. Marker is in Louisville, Georgia, in Jefferson County. Marker is on West Broad Street (U.S. 1) 0 miles east of Green Street, on the right
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Old State Capitol (here, next to this marker); Site of Capitol Building (within shouting distance of this marker); To Commemorate the Site of the First Permanent Capitol of Georgia (within shouting distance of this marker); The Sacking of Louisville (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Louisville Drug Store (about 600 feet away); Louisville U.S. Bicentennial Time Capsule (about 600 feet away); First National Bank & Trust Building (about 700 feet away); Market House (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisville.
Regarding "Yazoo Fraud". The U.S. Supreme Court decision on March 16, 1810, was the first time a federal court invalidated a state law.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . . Yazoo Land Fraud. New Georgia Encyclopedia website entry:
A detailed account of the Yazoo Fraud, described as "one of the most significant events in the post-Revolutionary history of Georgia," (Submitted on November 8, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia.)
Photographed By David Seibert, January 19, 2009
2. Old Jefferson County Courthouse and Yazoo Fraud Marker
The "Yazoo Fraud" marker can be seen to the right of the Courthouse entrance.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 22, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,182 times since then and 32 times this year. Last updated on August 12, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photos: 1. submitted on November 6, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2. submitted on February 27, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
