Fort Gaines in Clay County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Historic Sites

Photographed by David Seibert, August 14, 2011

1. Historic Sites Marker

Inscription. DILL HOUSE ~ John Dill (1788-1856) of S.C., military aide to Gen. Gaines, commander of Fort Gaines, and leading pioneer citizen, is said to have built this, “the finest home on the frontier,” with money his wife had saved while a captive of the Indians. Hoarding and hiding paper money, which her captors discarded after raids, she took it with her when she fled to freedom. The original part of the house, now a hotel, contains elaborate mantles and intricate carvings. Gen. Dill established a mercantile business with his partner, John W. Sutlive, in 1821. He added a tannery, one of the finest harness and shoe businesses in the South, a brick kiln, and cotton warehouses to his interests. He and his wife are buried in a cemetery on Carroll Street.

LIVE OAK TREE ~ This magnificent tree, with a circumference of 16 feet was brought from Florida and planted by Gen. Gaines.

THE GLOBE ~ “Globe Tavern,” first operated by Charles Suddoph, was at the NW corner of Washington and Carroll Streets. The brass globe at its entrance signified the tavern, “the most popular in SW Georgia,” was open and ready to refresh the traveler. When the tavern burned, the globe was moved across the street.

Erected 1957 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 030-3.)

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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce • Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1821.

Location. 31° 36.363′ N, 85° 2.924′ W. Marker is in Fort Gaines, Georgia, in Clay County. It is on North Washington Street (Georgia Route 39) 0 miles north of Carroll Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 106 N Washington Street, Fort Gaines GA 39851, 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: Fort Gaines Guards (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Clay County (about 700 feet away); Clay County Courthouse (about 700 feet away); Gen. Edmund Pendleton Gaines (about 700 feet away); Site of the First Clay County Courthouse and Jail (approx. 0.2 miles away); Queen City of the Chattahoochee (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Pioneer Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); The Old Lattice Bridge (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Gaines.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Site of Fort Gaines Female College (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by David Seibert, August 14, 2011

2. Historic Sites Marker

Photographed by David Seibert, August 14, 2011

3. Historic Sites Marker

The Dill House is in the background.

Photographed by David Seibert, August 14, 2011

4. Historic Sites Marker

The marker stands in front of the General Gaines Live Oak.

The Dill House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, August 14, 2011

5. The Dill House

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 15, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,110 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 15, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.