Thomaston in Upson County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Silvertown Historic Mill Village

Photographed by Mark Parker, January 7, 2025

1. Silvertown Historic Mill Village Marker

Inscription. In 1926, R.E. Hightower, Sr., of Thomaston Cotton Mills, helped secure a new mill to manufacture cotton tire cord for B.F. Goodrich Company (BFG). Named after Hightower's wife, Martha Mills solidified Thomaston's role in West Georgia's thriving textile industry. In 1929, BFG purchased Martha Mills and engaged renowned landscape architect and city planner Earle Sumner Draper and architectural and engineering firm Robert and Company to design a community for Martha Mills' employees. Named Silvertown after a line of BFG tires, Draper's design protected natural resources, created abundant open space, and incorporated plans for houses, schools, a community center, and churches. During World War II, Martha Mills produced much-needed materials for the war effort. In 1958 Silvertown was annexed into Thomaston. The Silvertown Historic District is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Erected 2021 by Georgia Historical Society, Thomaston-Upston Archives, Upson Historical Society, and Thomaston Upson Landmark Legacy (TULL). (Marker Number 145-1.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:

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Industry & Commerce • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.

Location. 32° 54.166′ N, 84° 19.778′ W. Marker is in Thomaston, Georgia, in Upson County. It is at the intersection of North Church Street (U.S. 19) and West Goodrich Avenue, on the right when traveling south on North Church Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 708 N Church St, Thomaston GA 30286, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in 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 one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hillery C. Cunningham (approx. one mile away); Fight Against Terrorism Memorial (approx. one mile away); General John B. Gordon (approx. one

Silvertown Historic Mill Village Marker at Intersection of N. Church St & W. Goodrich Ave. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, January 7, 2025

2. Silvertown Historic Mill Village Marker at Intersection of N. Church St & W. Goodrich Ave.

mile away); Upson County Vietnam Memorial (approx. one mile away); Upson Confederate Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away); Upson County (approx. 1.1 miles away); Upson County World War I Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away); Upson County Courthouse (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Thomaston.

Silvertown Historic Mill Village entrance sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, January 7, 2025

3. Silvertown Historic Mill Village entrance sign

Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 379 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 9, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.