Near Monroe in Walton County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

The William Harris Homestead

circa 1822-1825

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2024

1. The William Harris Homestead Marker

Inscription.
National Register of Historic Places | Walton County Historic Landmark | Georgia Centennial Heritage Farm

The William Harris Homestead Plantation, consisting of 500 acres, was formed from the 1820 Land Lottery of Georgia. The log house and smokehouse were built about 1822-1825 by William Carr, who lived here with his family from 1822 until 1836. In 1836 the property was bought by John D. Harris and Willis Kilgore (son and son-in-law respectively) of Milly Harris, widow of John Harris, Revolutionary War veteran. Milly lived here with her son, William (b. 1815, d. 1879), and his wife, Harriet Amanda Davenport (b. 1821, d. 1885), and their family until her death in 1858. William and Harriet raised 11 children in this house.

The construction of the log house followed the pattern of early Virginia plain-type architecture. The foundation, constructed of local fieldstone and handmade bricks, provided cellar space beneath the elevated floor. The main and upper floors were built of oak timbers, sawn from locally felled trees and were notched to fit together. This log house, almost 200 years old, stands as a testament to

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the independence and resourcefulness of frontier families.

Welcome to one of the few early plantations in Georgia that remains sufficiently intact to depict the culture and lives of the early inhabitants of Walton County.

Erected 2014 by Piedmont Chapter XXXIII, The Colonial Dames of America,.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and the The Colonial Dames of America series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1820.

Location. 33° 53.757′ N, 83° 43.329′ W. Marker is near Monroe, Georgia, in Walton County. It can be reached from Winder-Monroe Highway (State Highway 11) 0.1 miles south of Emmett Doster Road Northwest, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3636 GA-11, Monroe GA 30656, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont

and in Metro Atlanta.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2024

2. The William Harris Homestead Marker

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: Soil and Water Conservation Districts (a few steps from this marker); Harris Smokehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); King Cotton (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Boll Weevil Eradication Program (about 300 feet away); Harris Family Cemetery (about 400 feet away); “Improved” Land (about 400 feet away); Harris Blacksmith Shop (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named William Harris Homestead (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Monroe.

Also see . . .
1. Harris Family History. The William Harris Homestead is an excellent example of the homes and plantations established in Walton County, Georgia, after the formation of the County in 1818. The lands owned by William Harris originally

William Harris Homestead image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2024

3. William Harris Homestead

were Land Lots Numbers 122 and 149, consisting of 250 acres each in District 3, as set out in the County when organized and located on both sides of Rogue’s Road (now Georgia Highway 11) on the Apalachee River. (William Harris Homestead Foundation, Inc.) (Submitted on March 10, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. William Harris Family Farmstead (PDF). National Register nomination for the property, which includes the main house and four outbuildings and was listed in 1982. (Prepared by Richard Cloues, Historic Preservation Section, Georgia Department of Natural Resources; via National Archives) (Submitted on March 10, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 183 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 10, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on March 9, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.