Washington in Wilkes County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Washington Exchange Bank / Washington Gazette Chronicle
1885-1898 / 1896
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 11, 2022
1. Washington Exchange Bank / Washington Gazette Chronicle Marker
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.
Location. 33° 44.213′ N, 82° 44.392′ W. Marker is in Washington, Georgia, in Wilkes County. Marker is on West Robert Toombs Avenue (Business U.S. 78) just east of South Allison Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12A W Robert Toombs Ave, Washington GA 30673, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Farmers & Merchants Bank (here, next to this marker); Benson Block (a few steps from this marker); Washington Street Railroad (a few steps from this marker); Post Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Corner Drug Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Cotton Warehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the Episcopal Church of the Mediator (within shouting distance of this marker); Busy Bee Cafe (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Washington.
Regarding Washington Exchange Bank / Washington Gazette Chronicle. The Washington Exchange Bank was incorporated by the Georgia General Assembly in December, 1888. The bank failed in 1925 after the boll weevil
this page online
According to the Georgia Historic Newspapers archive:
James A. Wright published the first issue of the Washington Gazette on April 27, 1866 in Washington, Georgia. Wright’s Democratic weekly newspaper took over as the city’s legal organ that year, a responsibility surrounding newspapers in Augusta and Milledgeville handled previously. In April 1871, a company headed by H. F. Andrews purchased the Gazette, and Andrews took over editorial duties. In October 1877, J. W. Chapman, a former associate of the Talbotton Standard, purchased an interest in the Gazette, and he owned the paper outright by 1878. This arrangement continued until the formation of the Wilkes Publishing Company in the late 1880s. The company purchased both the Washington Gazette and its competitor, the Washington Chronicle, but continued to publish each paper separately throughout the 19th century. In December 1904, the company chose to merge the titles, which formed the Gazette-Chronicle. The Gazette-Chronicle served as Wilkes County’s legal organ into the early 1910s, when the paper suspended operations.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 11, 2022
2. Washington Exchange Bank / Washington Gazette Chronicle Marker
Featured marker is on the right.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 11, 2022
3. Washington Exchange Bank / Washington Gazette Chronicle Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 99 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 15, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on June 16, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
