Thomson in McDuffie County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Rock House
This 18th Century stone dwelling is the only surviving house associated with the Colonial Wrightsboro Settlement (1768). Its builder, Thomas Ansley, used weathered granite, quarried in its natural form from the nearby geographical fall line, as building material. The granite, along with pine timbers and cypress shingles, gave the house a distinctive Ga. Character.
The architectural style of the Rock House is similar to stone houses in the Delaware Valley of New Jersey from which Ansley migrated. It is the earliest dwelling in Georgia with its original architectural form intact.
Ownership of the Rock House passed to Nicolas C. Bacon in the 1840s and in the 1850s to the Johnson family, who maintained it as a working plantation until the 20th Century. The Johnson heirs, Effie Johnson Usry and Mary Ruth Johnson McNeil gave the house to the Wrightsboro Quaker Community Foundation, Inc. in 1966, who restored the house in 1981.
Erected 1990 by Georgia Historic Marker. (Marker Number 094-9.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1966.
Location. 33° 28.927′ N, 82° 33.469′ W. Marker is in Thomson, Georgia, in McDuffie County. Marker is on Rock House Road, 4 miles west of Georgia Route 223, on the right when traveling west. Marker is at the Rock House, approximately four miles from Ga 223 west of Thomson on Twin Oaks Road (which becomes Rock House Road). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Thomson GA 30824, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named The Rock House (within shouting distance of this marker); Ansley Family Cemetery (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hickory Hill (approx. 2.8 miles away); Home of Thomas E. Watson (approx. 3 miles away); Sen. Thomas E. Watson (approx. 3.2 miles away); VFW Post 6672 KIA Monument (approx. 3.2 miles away); VFW Veterans Monument (approx. 3.2 miles away); McDuffie County (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Thomson.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,315 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 2, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2. submitted on September 29, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 3. submitted on December 2, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4. submitted on August 2, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 5, 6, 7. submitted on September 14, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.