Perry in Houston County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Governor John Houston
Photographed By David Seibert, March 14, 2007
1. Governor John Houston Marker
Born near Waynesboro in 1744, Houston was the son of Sir Patrick Houston and Priscilla Dunbar. He was elected in 1775 to represent Georgia at the Continental Congress and served on Georgia’s Council of Safety, which in January 1776 issued the arrest warrant for Royal Governor James Wright. Georgians elected Houston governor in January 1778. Following the Revolution, Houston was elected governor a second time in 1784 and in that year was appointed one of seven "Trustees for a College," making him one of the founders of the University of Georgia. Houston served as Savannah’s first mayor in 1790, and in 1791 helped to host George Washington’s Savannah visit. He died in 1796. Named in his honor, Houston County was created in 1821.
Erected 2003 by The Georgia Historical Society and the National Society of the Colonial Dames in the State of Georgia. (Marker Number 76-1.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Education • Government & Politics • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1744.
Location. 32° 27.475′ N, 83° 44.057′ W. Marker is in Perry, Georgia, in Houston
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Perry Methodist Church (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Perry United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hunt-Bond-Troup Memorial (approx. 11 miles away); Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Gardens (approx. 11 miles away); St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (approx. 11.1 miles away); Peach County (approx. 11.1 miles away); James A. Everett (approx. 11.2 miles away); Peach County World War I & II Memorial (approx. 11.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Perry.
Also see . . . John Houstoun. New Georgia Encyclopedia website entry:
Note the spelling of the last name. (Submitted on January 6, 2009, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
Photographed By David Seibert, September 15, 2012
2. Governor John Houston Marker
Photographed By David Seibert, September 15, 2012
3. Governor John Houston Marker
The marker stands in front of the Houston County Courthouse.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 5, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,490 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 5, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2, 3. submitted on October 28, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
