Augusta in Richmond County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Untitled (Georgia Railroad and Banking Company)
Though extensive portions of its lines were destroyed by Sherman, it carried without charge 100,000 Confederate soldiers to their homes after the War. It did a banking business from 1835 to 1892, which business has since been conducted by its affiliate, Georgia Railroad Bank & Trust Company. It still redeems its bank notes issued during the War Between the States and, since its completion, has never failed to pay a dividend except for the last War year, 1865.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1956.
Location. 33° 28.476′ N, 81° 57.779′ W. Marker is in Augusta, Georgia, in Richmond County. Marker is at the intersection of Broad Street and 7th Street, on the right when traveling west on Broad Street. At the Wells Fargo (formerly Wachovia and 1st Union Bank) building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 699 Broad St, Augusta GA 30901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, U.S.A. (within shouting distance of this marker); Emily Harvie Thomas Tubman (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Historic Site in Journalism (about 400 feet away); Augusta Confederate Monument (about 400 feet away); Major Ferdinand Phinizy (about 500 feet away); Colonel William Few, Jr. (about 500 feet away); The Rotary Club of Augusta (about 600 feet away); Fort Augusta ~ Fort Cornwallis / St. Paul's Episcopal Church (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Augusta.
Regarding Untitled (Georgia Railroad and Banking Company). From Corporations Never Die by Peter Woods in the National Review website:
The Georgia Railroad Company was founded in 1833 to build a railroad from the city of Augusta to the interior of Georgia. In 1835, it became the Georgia Railroad and Banking Company. In 1881, it leased out its railroad properties and the next year split off its bank as a subsidiary called Georgia Railroad Bank. In 1929, it became the Georgia Railroad Bank & Trust Company, which was acquired in 1954 by the First Railroad & Banking Company of Georgia. In 1982, this company sold off its railroad business. In 1986, it merged with the First Union Corporation. And in 2001, First Union merged with Wachovia Corporation.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,078 times since then and 40 times this year. Last updated on December 3, 2012, by Kaleb Hornsby of Augusta, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 12, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4. submitted on July 16, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.