Laney Walker in Augusta in Richmond County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Atty. Judson Whitlocke Lyons

1860-1924

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 10, 2023

1. Atty. Judson Whitlocke Lyons Marker

Inscription. Attorney Judson Whitlocke Lyons was the first Black lawyer in the State of Georgia. He was born in Burke County, but lived most of his life in Augusta. He was a graduate of Augusta Institute (now Morehouse College) and Howard University Law School. He was admitted to the Georgia Bar Association in 1884, and practiced law in Augusta. He was a leader in the Georgia Republican Party and was a delegate to state and national conventions. He helped form the Georgia Equal Rights Association during Reconstruction. He was appointed by President William McKinley to become the Register of the United States Treasury in 1898, and held that position through 1906. A 32nd Degree Mason, Atty. Lyons is one of a few African Americans whose signature appears on the currency of the United States. He later served as President of Haines Institute, a private black high school, and he was an active member of Harmony Baptist Church.

Erected by Augusta African-American Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Government & Politics • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Georgia - Augusta African-American History Walk series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 33°

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27.968′ N, 81° 58.821′ W. Marker is in Augusta, Georgia, in Richmond County. It is in Laney Walker. It is on Laney Walker Boulevard 0.1 miles west of C S Hamilton Way, on the right when traveling west. Marker is on the Augusta African-American History Walk, in front of the Wallace Branch Library. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1237 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta GA 30901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

the Western Hemisphere,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Rev. Samuel Butler Wallace (a few steps from this marker); Sidney “Beau Jack” Walker (a few steps from this marker); Frank Garvin Yerby (a few steps from this marker); Dr. Charles T. Walker (a few steps from this marker); Thelma “Butterfly” McQueen (a few steps from this marker); Rev. Jesse Peters Galphin (within shouting distance of this marker); Carrie J. Mays (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Channing H. Tobias (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Augusta.

Also see . . . Judson W. Lyons (1858-1924). Lyons hoped to become Augusta's postmaster with President William McKinley's election, but white Augustans' opposition blocked it. So McKinley appointed Lyons as Registrar of the U.S. Treasury. (James Lewis, BlackPast, posted March 5, 2019) (Submitted on June 29, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 10, 2023

2. Atty. Judson Whitlocke Lyons Marker

Judson Whitlocke Lyons (1860-1924) image. Click for full size.

via New York Public Library Digital Image Collection (Public Domain)

3. Judson Whitlocke Lyons (1860-1924)

Certified proof, 1905 image. Click for full size.

Cape Ann National Bank of Gloucester via National Museum of American History (Public Domain), 1905

4. Certified proof, 1905

The red circles highlight Lyons' signature as Registrar of the Treasury.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 494 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 29, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.