Macon in Bibb County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

William Augustus Bootle

Federal Building and United States Courthouse

— Dedicated June 29, 1998 —

William Augustus Bootle Federal Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2018

1. William Augustus Bootle Federal Building Marker

Inscription.
By an Act of Congress (P.L. 105-163) this historic building is named for United States District Judge "Gus" Bootle. Judge Bootle was born in Walterboro, S.C. on August 19, 1902, and attended Mercer University where he was awarded a law degree in 1925. Before becoming a judge, he served as United States Attorney during the administration of President Herbert Hoover, adjunct professor and acting Dean of the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer, and while in private practice he was a leading trial lawyer. On May 20, 1954, he was appointed United States District Judge for the Middle District of Georgia by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and he held that office with great distinction until his retirement in 1981. Of the 27 years Judge Bootle served this district, many were marked with great turmoil in this state and region. His wisdom, innate sense of fairness, and unfailing good humor earned him many friends and admirers among the members of the bar. Judge Bootle, through his courage and dedication to the law, is an example for the judges who follow him and a beacon to all who seek the protection of the Constitution of this great nation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #31 Herbert Hoover

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, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #34 Dwight D. Eisenhower series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is June 29, 1998.

Location. 32° 50.222′ N, 83° 37.537′ W. Marker is in Macon, Georgia, in Bibb County. It is on Mulberry Street (Georgia Route 49) west of 3rd Street Lane, on the right when traveling west. Marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the subject building, just left of the Mulberry Street entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 475 Mulberry Street, Macon GA 31201, 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 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: Freemasonry in Macon (within shouting distance of this marker); William M. Wadley (within shouting distance of this marker); Macon History (within shouting distance of this marker); Wilson's Raid To Macon (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Lanier House (about 500 feet away); Jefferson Davis at the Lanier House (about 500 feet away); First Public Camellia Show (about 500 feet away); Post 3 Macon (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Macon.

Also see . . . William Augustus Bootle Federal Building and United States Courthouse. Wikipedia entry:
Judge Bootle was responsible for several landmark civil rights rulings in the state. In 1961, he ordered the University of Georgia to admit two African-American students, Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter, who were denied admission

William Augustus Bootle Federal Building<br>National Register of Historic Places plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2018

2. William Augustus Bootle Federal Building
National Register of Historic Places plaque

Entered on the National Register
of Historic Places
January 20, 1972

Federal Building
U.S. Courthouse
475 Mulberry Street Postal Station
Macon, Georgia

James Knox Taylor
Architect • 1905
This property significantly contributes to the
Nation’s cultural heritage
Commemorated June 1976

Gerald R. Ford • President of the United States
Jack Eckerd • Administrator of General Services

because of race. The case, Holmes v. Danner, had a major impact on integrating higher education in Georgia. A related ruling by Judge Bootle denied Governor Ernest Vandiver the ability to refuse state funding to the university if it was integrated. Judge Bootle also ordered the desegregation of the Macon bus system in 1962 and Bibb County public schools in 1970. (Submitted on March 10, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

William Augustus Bootle Federal Building<br>(<i>marker on left; NRHP plaque on right</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2018

3. William Augustus Bootle Federal Building
(marker on left; NRHP plaque on right)

William Augustus Bootle Federal Building image. Click for more information.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2018

4. William Augustus Bootle Federal Building

Old U.S. Post Office and Federal Building
NPGallery: Digital Asset Management System website entry
Click for more information.

Macon Historic District image. Click for more information.

via NPS, unknown

5. Macon Historic District

NPGallery: Digital Asset Management System website entry
Click for more information.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 617 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 10, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 5. submitted on December 3, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.