Lexington in Oglethorpe County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Meson Academy
Photographed by David Seibert, November 15, 2009
1. Meson Academy Marker
In 1825 a Female Department was added under the direction of the Rev. Thomas Goulding. The income from the endowment was liquidated when a new building was constructed in 1896. In 1917, Lexington voted a school tax and Meson Academy became a free school. In 1920 it became the Oglethorpe County High School.
The first rector or principal of the academy was the Rev. Francis Cummins. Of the outstanding educators who followed him, Thomas Britton Moss served from 1849 through the difficult War and Reconstruction periods until 1889. Some of Georgias most eminent men were on the Meson Academy Board of Trustees: William H. Crawford, George R. Gilmer, Joseph Henry Lumpkin, Thomas W. Cobb.
Erected 1959 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 109-7.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education
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Location. 33° 52.183′ N, 83° 6.485′ W. Marker is in Lexington, Georgia, in Oglethorpe County. It is on Church Street 0 miles west of Academy Street, on the right when traveling east. The marker now stands at a small park, created to honor the Meson Academy. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 214 E Church Street, Lexington GA 30648, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Antebellum Trail, in the Classic City Area, 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 America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Meson Academy (a few steps from this marker); The Birthplace of Columbia Theological Seminary (within shouting distance of this marker); Beth-Salem Presbyterian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Oglethorpe County (approx. 0.2 miles away); James T. Rayle Post No. 123 Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Oglethorpe County Veterans Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gen. James Edward Oglethorpe (approx. 0.2 miles away); Oglethorpe County Confederate Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lexington.
More about this
Photographed by David Seibert, November 15, 2009
2. Meson Academy Marker
The marker in front of the small park dedicated to the history of the school.
Photographed by David Seibert, November 15, 2009
3. Meson Academy Marker, with Church Street in the background
Photographed by David Seibert, November 15, 2009
4. Meson Academy "Gravestone"
A stone, similar to a gravestone, in the park where the marker stands. It is for the "Meson Academy, 1806-1897."
Credits. This page was last revised on January 4, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,219 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 31, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
