Statesboro in Bulloch County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Fabulous Fifty of 1906
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The Delegates
Photographed by David Seibert, April 11, 2014
1. The Fabulous Fifty of 1906 Marker (Side 1)
The Fabulous Fifty of 1906
On Saturday, December 1, 1906, Gov. Joseph M Terrell, Georgia's "education governor," came to Savannah to moderate the bidding contest for the historic First District's only Agricultural and Mechanical School. Bulloch County's delegation consisted of fifty leading citizens whose names appear on the other side of this marker. The Statesboro News editorialized: "Bulloch County must have that college."
The Fabulous Fifty rode the Savannah-Statesboro Railway to the bidding site. At the end of the day, Statesboro's winning bid of $125,500 included a 300-acre campus on the town's highest hill. Some citizens virtually emptied their bank accounts to make the town's dream come true. The train conductor blew the whistle for the final mile home, beckoning everyone to come to the station to celebrate.
By 1924 old A&M had increased in stature and grew into a Normal College for teachers. In 1929, as the states second public coeducational college, it granted bachelor's degrees. In 1990 the college became Georgia Southern University.
Fifty individuals represented Statesboro as official delegates on this historic day, December 1, 1906:
Jefferson Randolph Anderson (Moderator) James
this page online
Stephen Hill Franklin Noah D. Hendrix Gustave Jaeckel James Z. Kendrick Perry Kennedy Raymond Jimmerson Kennedy Wallace D. Kennedy James B. Lee S.H. Lichtenstein D.E. McEachern Samuel Lowndes Moore Edwards Conyers Oliver William Cling Parker Jakle Z. Patrick Albert W. Quattlebaum Hunter Marshall Robertson Milledge J. Rushing Egbert Andrew Smith Millard Fillmore Stubbs Thomas B. Thorne George R. Trapnell Leon Jackson Trapnell David Benjamin Turner Remer Warnock Madison Warren John William Williams
Erected by The Bulloch County Historical Society, sponsored by the Jack N. & Addie D. Averitt Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Government & Politics. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.
Location.
Photographed by David Seibert, April 11, 2014
2. The Delegates Marker (Side 2)
Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Coastal Plain. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, 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 walking distance of this marker: Flame of Freedom (here, next to this marker); Jaeckel Hotel (a few steps from this marker); Mathews Building (a few steps from this marker); 32 East Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Preetorius Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Center for Hardware (within shouting distance of this marker); The Georgia Theater (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bank of Statesboro (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Statesboro.
More about this marker. The marker was originally placed at approx. 32° 26.912′ N, 81° 46.823′ W, at the intersection of Railroad Street and Savannah Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Railroad Street. It was moved some time before 2026.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Photographed by David Seibert, April 11, 2014
3. Original Location of the Marker
Railroad Avenue is on the right; the Willie McTell Trail on the left.
Photographed by David Seibert, April 11, 2014
4. Original Location of the Marker
Savannah Avenue is in the background.
Photographed by Rodney Harville
5. December 1, 1906 Mural
The mural is on the building at 48 East Main Street. It is on the east side of the building facing City Hall.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2018, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 986 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 2, 2018, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 5. submitted on June 23, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photos of the marker at its new location in front of City Hall. • Can you help?
