Cuthbert in Randolph County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The George McDonald House
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 5, 2025
1. The George McDonald House Marker
The George and Gertrude Gunn McDonald Family occupied this home from 1889 to 1974. The McDonalds had three children: Ethel, Annette (Andrew Alumna, Class of 1906), and Edward. A single grandchild Gertrude McDonald Castellow Ford (Class of 1933) entered college from this home.
Mrs. Annette McDonald Suarez bequeathed the McDonald Home to Andrew College in 1976. The McDonald household treasures were bequeathed to Gertrude Ford of Jackson, Mississippi, who is the daughter of Ethel Castellow.
The McDonald Family, a faithful supporter of Andrew College, was one of Georgia's first families. Its members were leaders in business, banking, agriculture, land, and philanthropy. Gifts of land to the local churches, as well as gifts to Andrew College, assure for an instillment and perpetuation of values within the citizens of Cuthbert and this region.
This plaque is placed on the McDonald House by the Board of Trustees of Andrew College as a recognition of its appreciation for the leadership which the McDonald Family has manifested during the past generations.
Erected by The Board of Trustees of Andrew College.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work
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Location. 31° 46.453′ N, 84° 47.441′ W. Marker is in Cuthbert, Georgia, in Randolph County. It is on Lumpkin Street just north of West Church Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker is mounted directly on the McDonald House, on the right side of the front entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 227 Lumpkin Street, Cuthbert GA 39840, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Coastal Plain. 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 walking distance of this marker: Mother of Georgia's Pecan Industry (within shouting distance of this marker); Rolling Stores (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The City of Cuthbert and Early Randolph County (about 600 feet away); The Second Creek War in Randolph County (about 600 feet away); Frederick Davis Patterson, M.D. / Patterson Hospital (about 700 feet away); 1929 American LaFrance Fire Truck (about 700 feet away); Randolph County (about 700 feet away); Old Carnegie Library (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cuthbert.
Regarding The George McDonald House. Contributing property, Cuthbert Historic District, (as the Clarke-McDonald-Saurez
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 5, 2025
2. The George McDonald House Marker
The marker is on the right side of the front entrance.
From the National Register Nomination prepared by Jody Cook and E. Macgregor, 10/20/1974:
The Cuthbert Historic District has outstanding examples of 19th century architecture that reflect the changes that took place as Cuthbert grew from a remote frontier settlement to a town of middle-class merchants. This architectural wealth ranges from the early antebellum plantation style to the Greek Revival and Victorian Gothic cottages and mansions. In addition to her fine buildings, Cuthbert also became the educational center of Georgia during the last half of the 19th century because of three colleges built there circa 1850.Within a block of these Victorian Houses is Andrew College, originally built in 1854. The college had several major crises, including use as a hospital during the Civil War and a meningitis epidemic in 1873, before it was destroyed by fire in 1892. The present building, Old Main, was built under the direction of W.H. Parkins, a prominent Atlanta architect.
The earliest houses in Cuthbert are within three to four blocks north or west of the town square. These include the Clarke-McDonald-Saurez House. It is a two-story, five-bay structure with columns supporting a two-story gallery across the front and left side of the house. Windows on both stories are from floor to ceiling.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 5, 20253. The George McDonald House (east/front elevation)
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . . Clarke-McDonald House, 1880s (Vanishing Georgia).
(© Brian Brown) Excerpt: House built for Judge William Taylor in 1842 originally stood on this lot. It was given to Judge John T. Clarke in 1863 and burned sometime between 1882-1884. It was rebuilt as one-story cottage by Judge Clarke, who sold it to George McDonald (1855-1923), a former mayor of Cuthbert, in 1889. McDonald added a second floor. One of his descendants, Annette McDonald Suarez, transferred it to Andrew College in 1974 for use as the college presidents home. For well over a century a pecan tree planted on this property in 1848 was memorialized as The Mother of Georgias Pecan Industry.(Submitted on April 4, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 5, 2025
4. The George McDonald House (southeast elevation)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 5, 2025
5. The George McDonald House (northeast elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 2, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on April 4, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 5, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
