Columbus in Muscogee County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Hero's Memorial
Photographed By Robert Cole, June 11, 2013
1. Hero's Memorial Marker
North of this marker in the Porterdale Cemetery is the grave of Bragg Smith over which the City of Columbus erected a marble memorial to commemorate an outstanding deed of heroism. The text reads:
“Erected by the City of Columbus to mark the resting place of Bragg Smith, who died on September 30, 1903, at the age of 32, in the heroic but fruitless effort to rescue the city engineer from a caving excavation on Eleventh Street.
‘Honor and fame from no condition rise. Act well your part, there all the honor lies.’”
Erected 1953 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 106-6.)
Topics and series. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Heroes. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1866.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 32° 27.111′ N, 84° 58.797′
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Circus Train Wreck Memorial (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jewish Section of Riverdale Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Historic Riverdale Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Moses Dallas: Confederate Naval Pilot/American Slave (approx. 0.3 miles away); Confederate Siege Gun (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fourth Street Baptist Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); Oglethorpe Meets the Indians at Coweta (approx. 0.6 miles away); Mildred L. Terry Branch Library (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.
More about this memorial. The text for the missing marker was taken from “Georgia Historical Markers” (Bay Tree Grove, Second Edition 1978) compiled by Carroll P. Scruggs from the records of the Georgia Historical Commission.
Also see . . .
1. Find a Grave: Bragg Smith. (Submitted on November 4, 2013, by Cleo Robertson of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.)
2. Where All Honor Lies: A day in the life of Bragg Smith. Columbus and the Valley Magazine article by Josh Becker (Submitted on November 4, 2013, by Cleo Robertson of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.)
Photographed By Robert Cole, June 11, 2013
2. Hero's Memorial Marker
Photographed By David Seibert, June 19, 2012
3. Hero's Memorial Marker Post
Photographed By David Seibert, June 19, 2012
4. Hero's Memorial Marker Post
Looking south on 10th Avenue toward Victory Drive
Photographed By Robert Cole, June 11, 2013
5. Hero's Memorial Marker
View along busy 4th Street facing 6th Avenue straight ahead and Porterdale Cemetery to the right.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 758 times since then and 175 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 4, 2013, by Cleo Robertson of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 3, 4. submitted on July 10, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 5. submitted on November 4, 2013, by Cleo Robertson of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
