Augusta in Richmond County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Augusta College Three Original Arsenal Buildings
Photographed By Mike Stroud, August 7, 2011
1. Augusta College Three Original Arsenal Buildings Marker, east face
Inscription.
Augusta College Three Original Arsenal Buildings. . East face , In 1973, Augusta College named three of the original arsenal buildings in honor of commandants of the arsenal. Payne Hall, storehouse and later headquarters for the arsenal and administrative building for the university, was named for Matthew Payne, first commandant of the arsenal from 1819 to 1827. He oversaw the purchase of the Walker family land and plans for the relocation of the arsenal from the Savannah River. , North face , The Benet House, the arsenal commandant's home, the college president's home from 1960 to 1987, and administrative offices, became a National Historic Landmark in 1973. Arsenal Commandant J. Walker Benet served here from 1911 to 1919. His son Stephen Vincent Benet wrote poetry here while attending Summerville Academy. Stephen won two Pulitzer Prizes, and his brother William Rose won one. , West face , Rains Hall, once Officers' Quarters, bears the name of George Washington Rains, Confederate Commandant from April 1862 until the arsenal's reoccupation by Union troops in May 1865. Under his supervision, the arsenal manufactured Confederate weapons and other supplies. Rains also choose Augusta for the Confederate Powder Works. Rains Hall has served the university mainly as administrative offices. ,
East face
In 1973, Augusta College named three of the
original arsenal buildings in honor of
commandants of the arsenal. Payne Hall,
storehouse and later headquarters for the
arsenal and administrative building for the
university, was named for Matthew Payne,
first commandant of the arsenal from 1819
to 1827. He oversaw the purchase of the
Walker family land and plans for the relocation
of the arsenal from the Savannah River.
North face
The Benet House, the arsenal commandant's
home, the college president's home from 1960
to 1987, and administrative offices, became a
National Historic Landmark in 1973. Arsenal
Commandant J. Walker Benet served here
from 1911 to 1919. His son Stephen Vincent
Benet wrote poetry here while attending
Summerville Academy. Stephen won two
Pulitzer Prizes, and his brother William Rose
won one.
West face
Rains Hall, once Officers' Quarters, bears
the name of George Washington Rains,
Confederate Commandant from April 1862
until the arsenal's reoccupation by Union
troops in May 1865. Under his supervision,
the arsenal manufactured Confederate
weapons and other supplies. Rains also
choose Augusta for the Confederate
Powder Works. Rains Hall has served
the university mainly as administrative
offices.
Erected
Click or scan to see this page online
2011 by Augusta State University.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1862.
Location. 33° 28.565′ N, 82° 1.415′ W. Marker is in Augusta, Georgia, in Richmond County. Marker is on near Patriot Drive near near Arsenal Avenue. Located on campus of Augusta State University. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Augusta GA 30904, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Augusta College Three Original Arsenal Buildings Marker, north face
Photographed By Mike Stroud, August 7, 2011
3. Augusta College Three Original Arsenal Buildings Marker, west face
Photographed By Mike Stroud, August 7, 2011
4. Augusta College Three Original Arsenal Buildings Marker
Photographed By Mike Stroud, August 7, 2011
5. Augusta College Three Original Arsenal Buildings Marker and Payne Hall
Photographed By Mike Stroud, August 7, 2011
6. Payne Hall, as mentioned, named for Matthew Payne, first commandant of the arsenal
In November 1826 Congress authorized the purchase of 72 acres on a hilltop site for the relocation purpose by the Arsenal's first commander Captain Matthew M. Payne, from Freeman Walker.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, August 7, 2011
7. Benet House, National Register of Historic Places: *** (added 1971 - - #71000286)
* See nearby markers
First built 1816 rebuilt on
this site 1826 Home of famous
author Stephen Vincent Benet
whose father
Colonel James Walker Benet
commanded Augusta Arsenal 1911 to 1919
Photographed By Mike Stroud, August 7, 2011
8. Augusta College 3 Original Arsenal Buildings; Benet / Commandant's House
Photographed By Mike Stroud, August 7, 2011
9. Rains Hall
Confederate Commandant from April 1862 until the arsenal's reoccupation by Union troops in May 1865.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, August 7, 2011
10. Augusta College 3 Original Arsenal Buildings ; Rains Hall,bears the name of George Washington Rains
Col. Rains commanded the powder works, the arsenal, and other city works, which contributed to the war effort. The arsenal also produced cavalry equipment, field gear, bayonet scabbards, and cartridge boxes.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, August 7, 2011
11. Rains Hall
Presented by Historic Augusta, Inc.
In recognition of Augusta College's
success in preservation, restoration, and
adaptive use.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, August 7, 2011
12. Original Arsenal Buildings seen from the old parade grounds.
(l) Payne Hall (r) Benet / Commandant's House
Photographed By Mike Stroud, August 7, 2011
13. Site of the Confederate Powder Works, as mentioned
14. Augusta State College now restored Arsenal Gatehouse and Museum
Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,493 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on September 20, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4. submitted on September 22, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. submitted on September 20, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 14. submitted on November 29, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.