Tunnel Hill in Whitfield County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Reverend Clisby Austin Sr.
Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 27, 2022
1. The Reverend Clisby Austin Sr. Marker
In 1848, the 46 year old Reverend Clisby Austin, a farmer and business man from east Tennessee, arrived in the new village of Tunnelsville with his wife and twelve children. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres and established himself as a farmer. By 1850, Austin opened a store in Tunnelsville and his eighteen year old son, James C. Austin, clerked there. In May of 1850 the first train passed through the tunnel and the town was on the move. By this time, Tunnelsville had added a new depot, hotel, several mercantile stores, and a school, and in 1856 it was chartered as Tunnel Hill, Georgia. Austin now owned three hundred and twenty acres and a nice new two story brick home he called "Meadowlawn." The home, still standing today, is known as The Austin House.
Austin also served as Post Master for a while. In a letter to his daughter he wrote, "I surely am the best situated that I ever was in my life. I feel thankful to the Good Lord. I see nothing on earth as yet to make me think shall ever move from this place." Austin added, "We have a splendid Sunday School of over one hundred scholars." In 1858, the Tunnel Hill Methodist Church was organized and a two story brick building was erected with funds supplied by Reverend Clisby Austin. The Tunnel Hill Masonic Lodge #202 occupied the second floor.
And yet, on
this page online
By: Marvin Sowder
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1850.
Location. 34° 50.285′ N, 85° 2.35′ W. Marker is in Tunnel Hill, Georgia, in Whitfield County. Marker is on Hunt Road, 0.1 miles south of Clisby Austin Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 872 Hunt Road, Tunnel Hill GA 30755, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Clisby Austin House (here, next to this marker); Captain Key & Key's Battery (within shouting distance of this marker); Remembering the General Stores (within shouting distance of this marker); The Leg of Hood (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Building a Tunnel (about 600 feet away); Tunnel Hill (approx. 0.2 miles away); What are Sherman Neckties? (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Clisby Austin House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tunnel Hill.
Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 27, 2022
2. The Reverend Clisby Austin Sr. Marker
Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 27, 2022
3. "Meadowlawn" - The Clisby Austin House
Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2022, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 131 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 4, 2022, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
