Rabun Gap in Rabun County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Rabun Gap Nacoochee School
Andrew Jackson Ritchie, 1868 1948, Founder
Photographed by David Seibert, February 22, 2010
1. Rabun Gap – Nacoochee School Marker
In 1903 he founded the Rabun Gap Industrial School and in 1917 originated the “Farm Plan,” by which entire families work their way through school. The school operated independently until 1926, when it merged with the Nacoochee Institute, a school owned and supported by the Presbyterian Synod of Georgia. Under Dr. Ritchies presidency, the new school, chartered in 1927 and named Rabun Gap-Nacoochee, acquired more land, larger dormitories and classrooms, and began new educational programs.
Dr. Ritchie, whose unique approach to education has attracted strong financial support, served as President of the school until his retirement in 1939. In 1948, the year of his death, his “Sketches of Rabun County History” was published.
Dr. Ritchie, educator, scholar, and historian, is buried on the hill overlooking this school which his complete devotion created.
Erected 1967 by Georgia
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.
Location. 34° 57.793′ N, 83° 23.318′ W. Marker is in Rabun Gap, Georgia, in Rabun County. It is at the intersection of Main Street (U.S. 441) and Nacoochee Drive on Main Street. The marker stands at the entrance to the school on US 441. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rabun Gap GA 30568, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s and he Mountains in the Golden Corner. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States
Photographed by David Seibert, February 22, 2010
2. Rabun Gap – Nacoochee School Marker
The school is on the hill beyond the marker.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Brig·Gen·Francis·S·Bartow·C·S·A· (approx. 0.4 miles away); Memorial Lands and Cottages (approx. 0.7 miles away); York House Inn (approx. 1.8 miles away); Cherokee Defeat (approx. 3.8 miles away in North Carolina); Cherokee Victory (approx. 5½ miles away in North Carolina); The Rabun County Courthouse (approx. 5.9 miles away); Rabun County Service Memorial (approx. 5.9 miles away); Rabun County War Memorial (approx. 5.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rabun Gap.
Regarding Rabun Gap Nacoochee School. Foxfire Magazine, later a series of books and a movie about life in the mountains of North Georgia, originated at the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School in 1967.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . . Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School. The Wikipedia entry for the school. (Submitted on February 28, 2010, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia.)
Photographed by David Seibert, February 22, 2010
3. Rabun Gap – Nacoochee School Marker
Looking north on US 441 toward Dillard
Credits. This page was last revised on January 4, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2010, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,685 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 26, 2010, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
