Lawrenceville in Gwinnett County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Shooting Fish in the Streets

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 6, 2022

1. Shooting Fish in the Streets Marker

Inscription. Gwinnett County remained very rural into the middle of the 20th century and the streets of downtown Lawrenceville were unpaved until the late 1920's. In those days, the businesses on Crogan St. included several general stores. Farmers would come to town on Saturdays with their horse-drawn wagons for market day shopping and visiting. The stores stocked a variety of supplies from underwear to dry goods and groceries, bolt cloth, millinery and farm plows. There was always a pot bellied stove and usually a barrel of mackerel. Tobacco smoking locals would gather to offer their views on the politics of the day, tell tall tales and even predict the weather. Anyone with a problem knew exactly where to find a good set of opinions. In 1915, a group of local residents gathered in front of a Crogan Street business to protest the puddles in the unpaved Lawrenceville streets. In this whimsical photo, Charles Mason and son (far right) shoot at some phantom fish in a puddle while a young boy proudly shows off his enormous "catch".

Erected by City of Lawrenceville. (Marker Number 5.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed

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in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.

Location. 33° 57.373′ N, 83° 59.346′ W. Marker is in Lawrenceville, Georgia, in Gwinnett County. It is on East Crogan Street (Georgia Route 8) east of South Perry Street ( Route 20), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 181 E Crogan St, Lawrenceville GA 30046, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Metro Atlanta.

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: The Rhodes Jordan Building (here, next to this marker); The Button Gwinnett Building (a few steps from this marker); Watering Trough 1873

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 6, 2022

2. Shooting Fish in the Streets Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); The Country Doctor (within shouting distance of this marker); The Gwinnett Historic Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); The Banished Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); The Whacking Cane (within shouting distance of this marker); Birthplace of Bill Arp (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lawrenceville.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 11, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 562 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 11, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.