Hogansville in Troup County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Attempted Assassination of Isaiah H. Lofton
Georgia Civil Rights Trail
Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 14, 2021
1. The Attempted Assassination of Isaiah H. Lofton Marker
Inscription.
The Attempted Assassination of Isaiah H. Lofton. Georgia Civil Rights Trail. On September 15, 1897, Isaiah H. Lofton, Hogansville's black postmaster, was the victim of an attempted assassination after leaving the city's post office located here in the black business district, locally known as “Cross Town." The appointment of African Americans to local positions by Republicans in the U.S. government exacerbated political animosity between the federal government and the post-Reconstruction white South. To resist the appointment of Lofton, white citizens of Hogansville boycotted the post office, and tensions eventually led to his attempted assassination. Acts of violence against federally appointed African-American officials, such as this attempt and the murder of South Carolina postmaster Frazier Baker and his family, may have contributed to the creation of the National Afro-American Council in 1898, a precursor to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
On September 15, 1897, Isaiah H. Lofton, Hogansville's black postmaster, was the victim of an attempted assassination after leaving the city's post office located here in the black business district, locally known as “Cross Town." The appointment of African Americans to local positions by Republicans in the U.S. government exacerbated political animosity between the federal government and the post-Reconstruction white South. To resist the appointment of Lofton, white citizens of Hogansville boycotted the post office, and tensions eventually led to his attempted assassination. Acts of violence against federally appointed African-American officials, such as this attempt and the murder of South Carolina postmaster Frazier Baker and his family, may have contributed to the creation of the National Afro-American Council in 1898, a precursor to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Erected 2019 by the Georgia Historical Society and the City of Hogansville. (Marker Number 141-1.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 15, 1897.
Location. 33° 10.379′ N,
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84° 55.082′ W. Marker is in Hogansville, Georgia, in Troup County. Marker is at the intersection of West Main Street (Georgia Route 54) and Boozer Street, on the left when traveling west on West Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 W Main St, Hogansville GA 30230, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. The Attempted Assassination of Isaiah H. Lofton Marker
Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 14, 2021
3. A small park has been created around the marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 15, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 301 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 15, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
