Jefferson in Jackson County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Cotton Gin

Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 8, 2021

1. Cotton Gin Marker

Inscription. Photographs in the family collection show a bustle of activity in this area during the ginning season. One dated March 1918 entitled "A busy day at the gin" shows seven or eight mule-drawn wagons fanned out across the slope above the building as farmers waited to deliver their seed cotton. Wagons would approach the gin house from the east and proceed down slope into the shed porch to be weighed before their load was sucked up into the gin. Farmers would then drive their empty wagons down the slope into Johnson Mill Road, where they could turn to come back and collect their seed from the drive-under seed box on the east side of the gin. They would then wait to collect their baled cotton from the loading dock on the south side of the building.

The building is mainly constructed of 'Miracle Ho’low Block' — patented concrete blocks manufactured under license by Mr. Ira's brother, Scott Eth-ridge, in Jefferson. The ginning machinery now in the building was installed in 1930. There are three 80-saw gin stands supplied by Lummus Cotton Gin Company in Columbus, Georgia. A network of pipes conveyed seed cotton to these machines

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and the resulting cotton lint to the press. Mr. Ira's gin was originally powered by a steam engine and foundations for this engine can still be seen on the west side of the building. A drive shaft once connected to the steam engine remains in the gin house and a challenge for visitors is to work out which of the various shafts, ducts, and machinery parts belong to the different eras of the gin's operation.

A two-bin press stands on the platform on the south side of the gin house. The bins can rotate around a central axle to allow for filling and compaction. Finished bales would be weighed before being taken through the sliding door onto the loading dock on this side of the building. (Marker Number 3.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1918.

Location. 34° 3.804′ N, 83° 35.319′ W. Marker is in Jefferson, Georgia, in Jackson County. It can be reached from Etheridge Road just south of Johnson Mill Road, on the right when traveling south. Marker is mounted at eye-level near the southeast corner of the subject building. Touch for map.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 8, 2021

2. Cotton Gin Marker

(Gin Office in background)

Marker is at or near this postal address: 2355 Etheridge Road, Jefferson GA 30549, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the 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 walking distance of this marker: Gin Office (a few steps from this marker); Seed House (a few steps from this marker); Preacher Riley's Place (within shouting distance of this marker); Tractor Shed (within shouting distance of this marker); Teacher's House (within shouting distance of this marker); Milking Barn (within shouting distance of this marker); Gristmill (within shouting distance of this marker); Blacksmith's Shop and Carpenter's Shop (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jefferson.

Regarding Cotton Gin. Contributing

Cotton Gin (<i>north elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 8, 2021

3. Cotton Gin (north elevation)

(wagon is in position for unloading, inside the shed)

property, Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm, National Register of Historic Places #92000814.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm

Cotton Gin (<i>east elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 8, 2021

4. Cotton Gin (east elevation)

(shed porch on the left • drive-under seed box on the right)

Cotton Gin (<i>northeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 8, 2021

5. Cotton Gin (northeast elevation)

(drive-under seed box is on the left)

Cotton Gin (<i>southeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 8, 2021

6. Cotton Gin (southeast elevation)

(loading dock on the left • good view of 'Miracle Ho’low Block' construction)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 22, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 496 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 21, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.