Fort Gillem in Clayton County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Wheeler Drive

Photographed By David Seibert, September 6, 2012

1. Wheeler Drive Marker

Inscription. Named in honor of Maj. General Joseph Wheeler (USMA 1859), commander of the 2nd Cavalry Corps, Army of Tennessee, CSA.

A renowned raider, he guarded the flanks of the Confederate Army, with headquarters near present Depot site, covering the Confederate retreat. A member of Congress 1881-1883 and 1885-1900, he was Major General U. S. Vols. 1898, Spanish American War and the Philippine Insurrection and was appointed Brig. General, USA. He was one of the nation’s great Cavalry leaders.

Born at Augusta, Georgia, September 10, 1836. Died January 25, 1906.

Erected 1957 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 031-AGD-4.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, Spanish-American • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1861.

Location. 33° 37.657′ N, 84° 18.899′ W. Marker is in Fort Gillem, Georgia, in Clayton County. Marker is at the intersection of Wheeler Drive and Hood Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Wheeler Drive. The marker stands in the former Fort Gillem, now owned by the City of Forest Park. The city is just beginning to redevelop

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the property, and most of the existing buildings will be torn down. The Executive Director of the city’s Local Redevelopment Authority intends to preserve all the historical markers on the site. Fort Gillem is a restricted area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Forest Park GA 30297, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Hood Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); McIntosh Gate (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hardee Hall (about 400 feet away); Flankers Road (approx. 1½ miles away); Fort Gillem (approx. 1.6 miles away); a different marker also named Hood Avenue (approx. 2.1 miles away); Iverson Gate (approx. 2.1 miles away); Stewart’s & Lee’s A.C. March to Lovejoy’s Sta. (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Gillem.

More about this marker. Fort Gillem was designated the Atlanta General Depot at the time the markers were erected, explaining the Georgia Historical Marker numbering. It was renamed the Atlanta Army Depot in 1962, and Fort Gillem in 1973.

Photographed By David Seibert, September 6, 2012

2. Wheeler Drive Marker

Photographed By David Seibert, September 6, 2012

3. Wheeler Drive Marker

Looking south on Wheeler Drive. Building 101, the former Fort Gillem headquarters, is in the distance although fenced off.

Photographed By David Seibert, September 6, 2012

4. Wheeler Drive Marker

Looking northeast, with McIntosh Gate in the distance

Photographed By David Seibert, September 6, 2012

5. Wheeler Drive Marker

Looking northwest across Hood Avenue at warehouses from the former Atlanta General Depot in the distance.

Photographed By David Seibert, September 6, 2012

6. Wheeler Drive Marker

Looking north across Hood Avenue at the former Atlanta General Depot warehouses.

General Joseph Wheeler, CSA image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Wikipedia

7. General Joseph Wheeler, CSA

Credits. This page was last revised on April 4, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 607 times since then and 13 times this year. Last updated on April 4, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on September 11, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.