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

R. E. Lee Institute

1875-1992

— "Proud to be from R. E. Lee" —

R. E. Lee Institute Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, January 7, 2025

1. R. E. Lee Institute Marker

Inscription. Education in Upson County grew from small private schools in 1824 to a public school that was chartered R. E. Lee Institute in 1882. Graduates distinguished themselves by becoming doctors, lawyers, Senators, State Representatives, athletes, famous soldiers, and one an Assistant Attorney General of the United States. There were literary figures, who claimed national fame, and a few were presented at the White House; some on national news, in the motion.picture business, and others became authors of several books. Football reigned as king of sports winning one state championship, two state runners-up, and 12 regional championships. Baseball produced two national league players while basketball provided the school with the Jaycee Invitational and one state championship. Lee's ROTC Rifle Team won eighteen state and eleven national championships. After integration in 1970 and consolidation in 1973, Lee closed its doors in 1992. Three of the nine buildings became the Thomaston-Upson Government Complex in 1998. The remaining buildings are currently serving in community capacities.

Erected by Upson Historic Society.

Topics.

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This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.

Location. 32° 53.17′ N, 84° 19.489′ W. Marker is in Thomaston, Georgia, in Upson County. It is on East Lee Street east of South Hightower Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 106 E Lee 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 walking distance of this marker: George Washington Bicentennial Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory of Captain James W. Atwater (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); O. W. Jones & Son Mural (about

R. E. Lee Institute Marker in front of the current Thomaston-Upson Government Offices image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, January 7, 2025

2. R. E. Lee Institute Marker in front of the current Thomaston-Upson Government Offices

500 feet away); William Carraway (about 600 feet away); First Cannon Ball (about 600 feet away); Upson County Revolutionary War Memorial (about 700 feet away); Upson Confederate Memorial (about 800 feet away); General John B. Gordon (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Thomaston.

Regarding R. E. Lee Institute. The former school buildings now host the Thomaston -Upson Government Offices, Industrial Development Authority, Senior Center, Upson County Magistrate Court, and Upson-Lee Pre-Kindergarten

Main entrance to the former R. E. Lee school image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, January 7, 2025

3. Main entrance to the former R. E. Lee school

Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 11, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 439 times since then and 100 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 11, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 2, 3. submitted on January 12, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.