Richmond Hill in Bryan County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
"Dead Town" of Hardwicke
»—8 mi.—→
Photographed By Mike Stroud, May 2008
1. "Dead Town" of Hardwicke Marker
Inscription.
"Dead Town" of Hardwicke. »—8 mi.—→. On May 10, 1754 GEORGE TOWN was established at the "Elbow" of Great Ogeechee River, eight miles east. In February, 1755, Gov. Reynolds, dissatisfied with Savannah as a capital and as a port, chose this new site because it has a charming situation, the winding of the river making it a peninsula; and it is the only fit lofty bluff, the more central location in the province, and the greater distance from the rival port of Charleston. He renamed it HARDWICKE in honor of his kinsman, the Earl of Hardwicke, Lord High Chancellor of England. Lots sold quickly, the plan's backers were granted 21,000 acres of land, and fortifications were planned; but the Home Government granted no funds and the project died, dooming Hardwicke (later HARDWICK) to obscurity., In 1758, Hardwicke was included in the newly created Parish of St. Philip. In 1793,Bryan County was created, with Hardwick as County Site. In 1797, the County Site was removed to "Cross Roads" (Richmond Hill). By 1824, Alexander Netherclift was the sole resident. In 1866, an attempt was made to revive HARDWICK, but it failed; and so the town which might have become one of its capitals became, instead, one of the "dead towns" of Georgia.
On May 10, 1754 GEORGE TOWN was established at the "Elbow" of Great Ogeechee River, eight miles east. In February, 1755, Gov. Reynolds, dissatisfied with Savannah as a capital and as a port, chose this new site because it has a charming situation, the winding of the river making it a peninsula; and it is the only fit lofty bluff, the more central location in the province, and the greater distance from the rival port of Charleston. He renamed it HARDWICKE in honor of his kinsman, the Earl of Hardwicke, Lord High Chancellor of England. Lots sold quickly, the plan's backers were granted 21,000 acres of land, and fortifications were planned; but the Home Government granted no funds and the project died, dooming Hardwicke (later HARDWICK) to obscurity.
In 1758, Hardwicke was included in the newly created Parish of St. Philip. In 1793,Bryan County was created, with Hardwick as County Site. In 1797, the County Site was removed to "Cross Roads" (Richmond Hill). By 1824, Alexander Netherclift was the sole resident. In 1866, an attempt was made to revive HARDWICK, but it failed; and so the town which might have become one of its capitals became, instead, one of the "dead towns" of Georgia.
Erected 1957 by Georgia Historical Commission
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. (Marker Number 015-8.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Colonial Era. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1755.
Location. 31° 56.975′ N, 81° 18.729′ W. Marker is in Richmond Hill, Georgia, in Bryan County. Marker is at the intersection of Ford Avenue (State Highway 144) and Coastal Highway (U.S. 17), on the right when traveling east on Ford Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Richmond Hill GA 31324, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Earl of Hardwicke. A title in the Peerage of Great Britain. It was created in 1754 for Philip Yorke, 1st Baron Hardwicke, Lord Chancellor of Great Britain from 1737 to 1756. (Submitted on June 17, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008
2. "Dead Town" of Hardwicke Marker at the intersection of US 301 and Ga 144
Shares the site with a "Fort McAllister" Historical Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 12, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,002 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on June 17, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.