Thomson in McDuffie County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Rock House
Photographed by David Seibert, July 17, 2005
1. The Rock House Marker
This 18th Century stone dwelling is the only surviving house associated with the Colonial Wrightsboro Settlement (1768). Its builder, Thomas Ansley, used weathered granite, quarried in its natural form from the nearby geographical fall line, as building material. The granite, along with pine timbers and cypress shingles, gave the house a distinctive Ga. Character.
The architectural style of the Rock House is similar to stone houses in the Delaware Valley of New Jersey from which Ansley migrated. It is the earliest dwelling in Georgia with its original architectural form intact.
Ownership of the Rock House passed to Nicolas C. Bacon in the 1840s and in the 1850s to the Johnson family, who maintained it as a working plantation until the 20th Century. The Johnson heirs, Effie Johnson Usry and Mary Ruth Johnson McNeil gave the house to the Wrightsboro Quaker Community Foundation, Inc. in 1966, who restored the house in 1981.
Erected 1990 by Georgia Historic Marker. (Marker Number 094-9.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1966.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont and in Greater Augusta. 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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named The Rock House (within shouting distance of this marker); Ansley Family Cemetery (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hickory Hill (approx. 2.8 miles away); Home of Thomas E. Watson (approx. 3 miles away); Sen. Thomas E. Watson (approx. 3.2 miles away); VFW Post 6672 KIA Monument (approx. 3.2 miles away); VFW Veterans Monument (approx. 3.2 miles away); McDuffie County (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Thomson.
Photographed by David Seibert, circa February 1992
2. The Rock House Marker and the rear of the Rock House
via NPS, unknown
3. Old Rock House
National Register of Historic Places: Digital Archive on NPGallery website entry
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed by David Seibert, July 17, 2005
4. The Rock House
Photographed by Brian Scott, August 26, 2015
5. The Rock House
Photographed by Brian Scott, August 26, 2015
6. The Rock House
Photographed by Brian Scott, August 26, 2015
7. The Rock House
Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 3,870 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 2, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2. submitted on September 29, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 3. submitted on December 2, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4. submitted on August 2, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 5, 6, 7. submitted on September 14, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
