Macon in Bibb County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Confederate States Central Laboratory

Photographed by James Wagner

1. Confederate States Central Laboratory Marker

Inscription. The Confederate States Central Laboratory once stood near this location. Erected between 1862 and 1865, this laboratory-factory complex occupied over 100 acres acquired in 1862. It was intended as a permanent facility and center of Confederate States Ordnance testing and production of ammunition. Its main building was a two-storied brick and granite structure 600 feet long. Lieutenant Colonel John W. Mallet (CS), superintendent of all Confederate laboratories, selected this site and had his headquarters here. Machinery and equipment for the facility were fabricated in Macon, Atlanta; Richmond, Virginia; and Leeds, England. The site was surrendered on April 20, 1865, to General James H. Wilson (US). A lawsuit followed over the property title, which was decided by the US Supreme Court in Titus v. US (1874). The site was later used for manufacturing before burning down in 1912.

Erected 2025 by Re-erected by the Georgia Historical Society. The original marker was erected in 1994. (Marker Number 011-24.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 20, 1865.

Location. 32° 50.979′ N,

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83° 40.397′ W. Marker is in Macon, Georgia, in Bibb County. It is at the intersection of Vineville Avenue (U.S. 41) and Vista Circle, on the right when traveling north on Vineville Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3040 Vineville Ave, Macon GA 31204, 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 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 one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Muscadine Studios (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); 152 Buford Place (approx. 0.8 miles away); Davis-Guttenberger-Rankin House (approx. 0.8 miles away); Historic Macon (approx. 0.8 miles away); 143 Buford Place

Photographed by James Wagner

2. Confederate States Central Laboratory Marker

(approx. 0.8 miles away); Bach-Duncan-Daniel (approx. 0.8 miles away); Dickey Betts' Apt B (approx. 0.9 miles away); Small House (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Macon.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Confederate States Central Laboratory (has been replaced with this marker).

Regarding Confederate States Central Laboratory. "The Ordnance of the Confederacy" from Shotgun's Home of the American Civil War.

In a postwar Report, the laboratory was described: "Another permanent work erected was a central ordnance laboratory for the production of artillery and small-arms ammunition and miscellaneous articles of ordnance stores. This was decided on in September, 1861, placed in charge of Lieutenant-Colonel J. W. Mallet, and located at Macon, Georgia. It was designed to be an elaborate establishment, especially for the fabrication of percussion-caps, friction-primers, and pressed bullets, in addition to heavier ordnance supplies. Special machinery was made in England and shipped, but did not reach its destination in time for use. A large instalment including a most powerful pair of engines,
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had reached Bermuda when blockade running practically came to an end, near the close of the war."

Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2025, by James Wagner of Roberta, Georgia. This page has been viewed 176 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 11, 2025, by James Wagner of Roberta, Georgia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.