Newnan in Coweta County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Governor William Yates Atkinson
(1854-1899)
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, December 15, 2023
1. Governor William Yates Atkinson Marker
Born in Meriwether County, William Yates Atkinson settled in Newnan after receiving a law degree from the University of Georgia in 1877. Elected to the Georgia General Assembly in 1886, he served four terms in the House, becoming Speaker in 1892. In the House, he helped establish Georgia Normal and Industrial College (now Georgia College and State University). Elected to two terms as governor, he served from 1894-1898. He championed progressive issues, hiring Georgia’s first salaried female state employee, Helen Dortch Longstreet, as Assistant State Librarian in 1894. Atkinson died at age 44 and is buried in the Presbyterian section of Newnan’s Oak Hill Cemetery.
Erected 2010 by Georgia Historical Society, the Newnan-Coweta Historical Society, and the Coweta County Genealogical Society. (Marker Number 38-2.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1877.
Location. 33° 22.499′ N, 84° 47.982′ W. Marker is in Newnan, Georgia, in Coweta County. Marker is at the intersection of East Court Square (U.S. 29) and North Court Square, on the left when traveling north on East Court
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Coweta County (a few steps from this marker); Governor Ellis Gibbs Arnall (a few steps from this marker); Coweta County Confederate Monument (a few steps from this marker); Coweta County World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory of General Daniel Newnan (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Hospitals (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Brown's Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Col. Joe M. Jackson (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newnan.
Also see . . . William Y. Atkinson (1854-1899). New Georgia Encyclopedia website entry (Submitted on May 19, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia.)
Photographed By David Seibert, May 1, 2011
2. Governor William Yates Atkinson Marker
Photographed By David Seibert, May 1, 2011
3. Governor William Yates Atkinson Marker
Photographed By David Seibert, May 1, 2011
4. Governor William Yates Atkinson Marker
The restored old Coweta County Courthouse is in the background.
Photographed By James Pope Field
5. Governor William Yates Atkinson
Courtesy of Georgia Capitol Museum, Office of Secretary of State
Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,110 times since then and 25 times this year. Last updated on October 17, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photos: 1. submitted on December 28, 2023, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 17, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
