Toccoa in Stephens County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Traveler's Rest State Historic Site

Photographed By Brian Scott, February 14, 2013

1. Traveler's Rest State Historic Site Marker

Inscription.
"Here I got an excellent breakfast of Coffee, ham, chicken, good bread, butter, honey, and plenty of good new milk, for a quarter of a dollar...What a charming country this would be to travel in, if one was sure of meeting with such nice clean quarters once a day!"
-- George Featherstonhaugh, 1837

Traveler's Rest was built around 1815 to serve as a wayside inn for travelers on the Unicoi Turnpike, a busy thoroughfare that connected the Tugaloo and Tennessee rivers. James Rutherford Wyly operated the inn until Devereaux Jarrett bought the place in 1833. Jarrett more than doubled the size of the structure and used it not only as an inn but also as a residence and the headquarters of his vast plantation along the Tugaloo River. The home place stayed in the Jarrett family until 1955 when the state of Georgia bought it for $8,000.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1837.

Location. 34° 36.533′ N, 83° 14.333′ W. Marker is in Toccoa, Georgia, in Stephens County. Marker can be reached from Riverdale Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4339 Riverdale Road, Toccoa GA 30577, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Jarrett Manor (here, next to this marker); Traveler's Rest

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(here, next to this marker); Historic Traveler's Rest (within shouting distance of this marker); "Indian Rock" (within shouting distance of this marker); Slavery at Traveler's Rest (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Tugaloo Town (approx. 0.4 miles away); Colonel Benjamin Cleveland Monument (approx. 2.6 miles away in South Carolina); Tugalo Baptist Church and Cemetery (approx. 4 miles away); Paul Anderson (approx. 4.8 miles away); Paul Anderson Memorial Park (approx. 5 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toccoa.

Also see . . .
1. Traveler's Rest. Traveler's Rest is an early tavern and inn located about 6 miles east of Toccoa, Georgia, United States. (Submitted on February 15, 2013, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

2. Unicoi Turnpike in Georgia. Presentation by Dr. Jack Wynn, professor of anthropology at North Georgia College and State University, (Submitted on February 15, 2013, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

3. Gen James Rutherford Wyly - Find-a-Grave. Gen. James Rutherford Wyly, Ga. Militia was the

Photographed By Brian Scott, February 14, 2013

2. Traveler's Rest State Historic Site Marker

son of James Wyly and Jemima Cleveland, dau. of Col. Ben Cleveland. (Submitted on February 15, 2013, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

Photographed By Brian Scott, February 14, 2013

3. Traveler's Rest State Historic Site Marker

Devereaux Jarrett (1785-1852) operated several businesses including a gristmill, sawmill, blacksmithy, tannery, store, tavern, toll bridge, and a gold mine in addition to this inn and his plantation. He also served as the local postmaster.

Traveler's Rest Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, February 14, 2013

4. Traveler's Rest Sign

Traveler's Rest State Historic Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, February 14, 2013

5. Traveler's Rest State Historic Site

Photographed By Brian Scott, February 14, 2013

6. Traveler's Rest State Historic Site

Traveler's Rest State Historic Site<br>Front Porch image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, February 14, 2013

7. Traveler's Rest State Historic Site
Front Porch

Traveler's Rest State Historic Site<br>Well House and Other Buildings image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, February 14, 2013

8. Traveler's Rest State Historic Site
Well House and Other Buildings

Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 15, 2013, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 561 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on February 15, 2013, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.