Valdosta in Lowndes County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Valdosta Institute

Photographed by David Seibert, March 13, 2007

1. Valdosta Institute Marker

Inscription. S. M. Varnedoe was administrator of a ten-grade private school, the Valdosta Institute, 1865 - 70. Famous among its students was J. H. “Doc” Holiday. The Masons and several churches also used the institute as a meeting place. After the purchase, in 1885, of the property from the Wells estate, a new brick building was constructed. In 1895 the Valdosta Institute became a public school. The brick building continued to house sections of the public school until it was razed in 1958.

Erected 1993 by The Valdosta Town Committee.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.

Location. 30° 49.849′ N, 83° 16.973′ W. Marker is in Valdosta, Georgia, in Lowndes County. It is on West Central Avenue (U.S. 84) 0 miles west of North Oak Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Valdosta GA 31601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Coastal Plain. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Wiregrass.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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: Old Carnegie Library (a few steps from this marker); Site of Cotton Exchange (approx. 0.2 miles away); United States Bicentennial — Lowndes County Sesquicentennial (approx. ¼ mile away); Lowndes County Confederate Monument (approx. ¼ mile away);

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Flame of Freedom (approx. ¼ mile away); Troop Encampment Site (approx. ¼ mile away); Nationsbank (approx. ¼ mile away); September 11, 2001 Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Valdosta.

Photographed by David Seibert, March 14, 2007

2. Valdosta Institute Marker

Valdosta Institute / Central Elementary School No. 2 from a local newspaper image. Click for full size.

Photographed by LE Ertley, November 4, 2017

3. Valdosta Institute / Central Elementary School No. 2 from a local newspaper

Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 3,866 times since then and 161 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 23, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 3. submitted on April 14, 2021, by LE Ertley of Hartwell, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.