“Wildwood”
This historic home was built in 1831 by Mr. Evans for his mother-in-law, Jane Vivian Howard. In 1837 it was sold to Van de Van Leonard II. Ownership descended to his daughter, Annie Foster Leonard, and from her to her children, the present (1953) owners.
For many years the springs here furnished water for the City of Columbus, flowing through hollow logs.
The last visit of this famed author to her birthplace was for the marriage of Annie Leonard to Louis Ford Garrard, May 20, 1868. Her productive literary career was spent in Mobile, Ala., where she wrote her first novel, INEZ, at the age of seventeen. On Dec. 2, 1868, she married Lorenzo Madison Wilson. She died in Mobile, May 9, 1909.
Erected 1953 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 106-5.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1828.
Location. 32° 28.98′ N, 84° 57.772′
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Leonard Spring (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Elmo (approx. half a mile away); He Helped Bring And Keep Fort Benning (approx. half a mile away); Carson McCullers (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Cedars (approx. ¾ mile away); Eugene J. Bullard, 1895-1961 / World’s First Black Combat Aviator (approx. 0.9 miles away); Wynnton School Library (approx. 0.9 miles away); Secondary Industrial School (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.
Regarding “Wildwood”. "Wildwood" no longer stands.
It was sold in 1960 to a purchaser who planned to restore it, but failed to follow through and the house deteriorated badly. Local preservationists bought the house and moved it, but the move was a disaster, leaving the house empty and open to the elements.
About 1974 another preservationist bought the original lot and was given the decaying remains of the house. It was disassembled and stacked on the lot (only about 20% of the house remained at this point), but plans were drawn for the restoration.
That owner fell ill,
No one bought the house, only a pile of lumber at this point. Modern houses now occupy the lot where Wildwood stood, and the remains of Wildwood have disappeared.
Also see . . . Augusta Jane Evans - Wikipedia. (Submitted on May 14, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,203 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 13, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
