Covington in Newton County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Swann Building

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 7, 2022

1. Swann Building Marker

Inscription. Erected late in the nineteenth century by T. C. Swann to house his general mercantile business. It incorporates the ante-bellum building which housed the store of pioneer citizen Cary Wood.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1897.

Location. 33° 35.756′ N, 83° 51.612′ W. Marker is in Covington, Georgia, in Newton County. Marker is at the intersection of Washington Street Southwest and Monticello Street Southwest, on the right when traveling east on Washington Street Southwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1123 Washington St SW, Covington GA 30014, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Covington Square (within shouting distance of this marker); To The Confederate Dead of Newton County (within shouting distance of this marker); Newton County War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Ramsey's Furniture (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lucius Q. C. Lamar (about 500 feet away); The Capture of Covington (about 700 feet away); City Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Covington City School (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Covington.

Regarding Swann Building. Excerpt from

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the National Register of Historic Places nomination for the Covington Historic District, which includes the building:

The last of the major 19th century fires to strike downtown Covington occurred in 1897. This time it was the south side of the square, which contained some of the last remaining wooden buildings in the downtown area, that suffered damage. Those working to control the fire made a special effort to remove items from Thomas C. Swann's store, it containing the most valuable merchandise in the block. Although a quantity of items was saved at least two-thirds of the inventory was destroyed, a loss of perhaps $12,000 to $15,000. Nothing was rescued from nearby businesses. Swann evidently rebuilt and recovered rapidly from this event, as by January of 1898 his advertisements in the Covington Star claimed that his store offered "an enormous stock of goods of every description."

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 7, 2022

2. Swann Building Marker

The Swann Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 7, 2022

3. The Swann Building

Credits. This page was last revised on May 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 12, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 177 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 12, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.