Tunnel Hill in Whitfield County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Tunnel Hill W&A Railroad Depot

Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 19, 2019

1. Tunnel Hill W&A Railroad Depot Marker

Inscription. The W&A (Western & Atlantic) Railroad Depot was constructed by the State of Georgia between 1848-1850 as part of the state-owned Western & Atlantic Railroad. This depot is one of Georgia's oldest. The Depot witnessed many important events during the Civil War; a speech by Confederate State's President Jefferson Davis in 1861; the Great Locomotive Chase of 1862; several Civil War skirmishes; and the first headquarters of General Sherman during his Atlanta Campaign.

For years the building was incorporated into a ConAgra feed mill (see 2003 photo below). Today it stands free but vacant and a bit worn. Fortunately the community plans to rehabilitate it once some other projects are completed and funding is in hand.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.

Location. 34° 50.403′ N, 85° 2.525′ W. Marker is in Tunnel Hill, Georgia, in Whitfield County. It is on Clisby Austin Drive east of Oak Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 215 Clisby Austin

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Drive, Tunnel Hill GA 30755, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Mountains. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

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: Baggage Carts (a few steps from this marker); Tunnel Hill (a few steps from this marker); Western & Atlantic Railroad Tunnel (a few steps from this marker); Clisby Austin House (within shouting distance of this marker); What are Sherman Neckties? (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Tunnel Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Clisby Austin House (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Reverend Clisby Austin Sr.

Tunnel Hill W&A Railroad Depot Marker on left of the shed. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 19, 2019

2. Tunnel Hill W&A Railroad Depot Marker on left of the shed.

(approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tunnel Hill.

The former Tunnel Hill W&A Railroad Depot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 19, 2019

3. The former Tunnel Hill W&A Railroad Depot

Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2019. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 489 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 27, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.