Sparta in Hancock County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Glen Mary "The Temple on the Hill"
Built Circa 1848
Photographed by David Seibert, May 7, 2017
1. Glen Mary “The Temple on the Hill” Marker
During the Civil War, Glen Mary was narrowly spared by Union General William Tecumseh Shermans invading armies and became a hiding place for Confederate Secretary of State Robert Toombs after the Confederates surrendered in 1865.
In 1869, Colonel Smith sold Glen Mary to his former adversary, Union General Ethan Allen Hitchcock and his wife, Martha Rind Nicholls Hitchcock. General Hitchcock died here on August 5, 1870. Mrs. Hitchcock ran the estate until her death in 1918 when it descended to her niece. Glen Mary remained the Nicholls family farm until the 1980s.
Preservation America Trust purchased Glen Mary in 1998 and has overseen a comprehensive restoration to its original appearance.
Erected 2017 by Fort Peachtree Chapter NSDAR.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture
this page online
Location. 33° 10.65′ N, 83° 0.033′ W. Marker is in Sparta, Georgia, in Hancock County. It is on Linton Road 0.3 miles south of Pearson Chapel Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7342 Linton Road Sparta GA 31087, Sparta GA 31087, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Gov. Charles James McDonald (approx. 5.1 miles away); Hancock County (approx. 6.9 miles away); Old Eagle Tavern
Photographed by David Seibert, May 7, 2017
2. Glen Mary “The Temple on the Hill” Marker, looking north on Linton Road toward Sparta
Photographed by David Seibert, May 7, 2017
3. The marker is dedicated and unveiled by DAR officials on May 7, 2017
Photographed by David Seibert
4. Glen Mary in the late 1990s
The white paint was attractive (and traditional) but not original or correct for the house.
Photographed by David Seibert, November 8, 2011
5. Glen Mary under restoration in 2011.
Photographed by David Seibert, August 16, 2014
6. Glen Mary as it appears today
This is how the house would have appeared in 1850. The simulated brownstone color used for the basement was original and correct for the house, although very rare in the South.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2017, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,414 times since then and 145 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 10, 2017, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia.
