LaGrange in Troup County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Bellevue, Home of Sen. Benjamin Harvey Hill
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Inscription.
Benjamin Harvey Hill, one of the first to proclaim the New South industrial rather than agricultural, was born at Hillsborough, Jasper County, Sept. 14, 1823. Reared on a farm at Long Lane, Troup County, graduated with first honors at the University of Georgia and married to Miss Catherine Holt of Athens, he came to LaGrange to practice law. He was elected to the legislature on the Whig ticket in 1851. With Alex. H. Stephens, Herschel V. Johnson and others, Senator Hill opposed secession but became one of the foremost champions of the cause of the Confederacy. A member of the Confederate provisional congress and the Confederate Senate, he was regarded as the ablest supporter of the policies of Jefferson Davis. Arrested but soon paroled after the surrender, Senator Hill, “foremost orator of the state,” resumed his activities in politics and vigorously opposed the Reconstruction Acts of Congress. With Senator John B. Gordon he prevailed on President Hayes to remove Federal troops from the South. After serving in Congress he was elected to the U. S. Senate in 1877 and served until his death, August 16, 1882. Senator Hill’s home, Bellevue, built in 1854-1855, was acquired by the Fuller E. Callaway Foundation and presented to the LaGrange Woman’s Club.
Erected 1955 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 141-9.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #19 Rutherford B. Hayes, and the Georgia Historical Society series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is September 14, 1800.
Location. 33° 2.489′ N, 85° 2.375′ W. Marker is in LaGrange, Georgia, in Troup County. Marker is at the intersection of Ben Hill Street and McLendon Circle, on the left when traveling north on Ben Hill Street. The marker is located in the bushes to the left of the entrance to Bellevue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 McLendon Circle, Lagrange GA 30240, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Bellevue (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dr. Ulrich Bonnell Phillips (approx. ¼ mile away); LaGrange College – 1831 (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named LaGrange College – 1831 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fuller Earle Callaway, Sr. (approx. half a mile away); Gilbert du Motier Marquis de LaFayette
(approx. half a mile away); George Michael Troup (approx. half a mile away); The Nancy Harts (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in LaGrange.
More about this marker. There is one error on the marker: Senator Hill was raised in the Long Cane area of Troup County, in a house which still stands (not Long Lane).
Also see . . . Benjamin Hill. New Georgia Encyclopedia website entry (Submitted on October 17, 2010, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2010, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,593 times since then and 93 times this year. Last updated on October 22, 2010, by R. Zebley of Rapid City, South Dakota. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 17, 2010, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.