Warthen in Washington County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Warthen Historic District
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 10, 2023
1. Warthen Historic District Marker
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
1997
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1997.
Location. 33° 6.73′ N, 82° 48.089′ W. Marker is in Warthen, Georgia, in Washington County. It is on Mitchell Road (Georgia Route 102) 0.8 miles south of Hamburg State Park Road ( Route 248), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Warthen GA 31094, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Coastal Plain and in the Piedmont. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. 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
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Site of First Washington County Jail (approx. 0.8 miles away); Warthen (approx. 0.8 miles away); President Jefferson Davis (approx. 2.2 miles away); David A. Gordon (approx. 8.3 miles away); The Brown House (approx. 8.6 miles away); The March to the Sea (approx. 8.7 miles away); Washington County Court House (approx. 8.9 miles away); Pvt. Willie Lee Duckworth Sr. (approx. 8.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Warthen.
Regarding Warthen Historic District. Excerpt from the National Register nomination:
The history of the Warthen community is largely the history of the Warthen family. As previously mentioned, the Warthens first settled in Washington County near Little Ogeechee River, some eight miles north of the community that would later bear the family name. About 1810, Richard H. Warthen (1794-1861) began clerking in a store near the old Wicker settlement. By the 1820s, Warthen had opened his own store in the community and was named U.S. Postmaster in 1827. Thenew post office was officially listed as Warthen's Store. Several years earlier, the local voting precinct and militia district had also been named for the Warthens. Richard Warthen and his family continued to operate the store and post office throughout the antebellum period. Warthen also became a large land owner. By 1860, he owned almost 9,000 acres, 2,000 of which was improved land.Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 10, 20232. Warthen Historic District Marker
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 10, 2023
3. Warthen United Methodist Church
It was built c. 1887 on land donated by Thomas Warthen (son of town namesake Richard H. Warthen) so his wife could practice in her chosen denomination. The church's original two doors and broad porch have since been removed, but its Gothic Revival elements remain intact. The stained-glass windows are a more-recent addition, donated in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Bolden Cobb.
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 10, 2023
4. Bethlehem Academy Building
The first chartered school in the county (1832), town namesake Richard H. Warthen financially supported it and served as a trustee. This structure was built c. 1904 after the original school burned. Originally two stories, the Colonial Revival building now serves as Warthen's community center.
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 10, 2023
5. Farmers & Merchants' Bank
J.J. Chafin built this brick building with cast iron storefront in 1911. It also served as Warthen's post office, with Vera Cummings serving as postmaster for 38 years and her husband Oscar succeeding her.
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 10, 2023
6. Warthen-Davis House
Built in 1868 by educator and historian Macon Warthen I, it is one of the oldest houses in Warthen. It is the only house in the district that is a two-story Side Hallway-type building with Greek Revival features. It was built on the site of the late 1700s home of Benjamin Tennille, Macon Warthen's great-uncle, where Washington Countys first Superior Court session was held.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 539 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 30, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
