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

Honest Alley

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 6, 2022

1. Honest Alley Marker

Inscription. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Gwinnett County's economy depended on cotton. Local farmers required quality mules and horses. And so Honest Alley, a row of stables and blacksmith barns behind Crogan Street, became an important trading spot. Livestock traders would travel to the West, purchase mules and horses, and ship them back to Honest Alley on the train. Mr. Jim Bob Oakes was one of the most prominent traders. To tout his success, Jim Bob constructed a large white plantation-style mansion at the opening to the alley, where it still stands today. Honest Alley was also notorious for medicine shows. Slick salesmen would tout the benefits of miracle elixirs from their covered wagons. Parents forbade their children to visit Honest Alley, warning of the shady characters that inhabited the place. This only added to the intrigue. Many long-time residents tell of sneaking down to the Alley to discover its mysteries. The original barns and stables of Honest Alley were destroyed in a fire in 1939.

Erected by City of Lawrenceville. (Marker Number 9.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic

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lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1939.

Location. 33° 57.363′ N, 83° 59.211′ W. Marker is in Lawrenceville, Georgia, in Gwinnett County. It is at the intersection of South Chestnut Street and Honest Alley Southwest, on the right when traveling south on South Chestnut Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lawrenceville GA 30046, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s 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: Tipsy Mules & Horses (within shouting distance of this marker); The Jule Oakes House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Cotton Bag Wedding

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 6, 2022

2. Honest Alley Marker

(about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hubert Tucker Building (about 400 feet away); Birthplace of Bill Arp (about 500 feet away); Gwinnett County (about 600 feet away); The Banished Bank (about 600 feet away); Button Gwinnett (about 600 feet away). 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 707 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 11, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.