Elberton in Elbert County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain

Photographed By Brian Scott, April 7, 2011

1. Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain

Inscription.

Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain. . [Column - East/West Inscription]: Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain Commemorating The 200th Anniversary of American Independence 1776 , 1976. [Column - North/South Inscription]: Erected During 1976 As A Gift to Elberton and Elbert County by Member-Firms of the Elberton Granite Association, Inc May this fountain serve as an everyday reminder of the Elberton Granite Industry's interest in this community and con- tributions to this area's economic and civic life.. [First Panel]: 1776 - 1976 Two Centuries of Advancement From America's founding in 1776 to its bicentennial year of 1976, the story of Elbert County is one of steady advancement and progress , in agriculture and industry, in development of natural resources, in education and cultural activities, in religious and political endeavors, and in improving the quality of life enjoyed by all its citizens.. [Second Panel]: Before 1776 Early Settlers Elbert County was a portion of the hunting and burial grounds of the Cherokee and Creek Indians. Early settlers came from North Carolina and Virginia. First settlement at Dartmouth prior to 1776. Later known as Petersburg, located at "The Point" where Broad and Savannah Rivers joined.. [Third Panel]: 1776 - 1783 Revolutionary War Period Elbert County area was part of Wilkes County. Colonial Patriots included Stephen Heard, later Governor of Georgia, Benjamin Hart, Dan Tucker, and others. Nancy Hart, a famous Revolutionary heroine, lived near Broad River and performed magnificent deeds of bravery and military feats.. [Fourth Panel]: 1783 - 1790 Petersburg Era Petersburg, established by Dionysius Oliver, became a major early Georgia town of 2,000 population. Site covered by waters of Clark Hill Lake in 1950s. Two of Petersburg's residents, Dr. William Wyatt Bibb and Justice Charles Tate, served simultaneously in the U.S. Senate in 1813 -- the only instance in history that two senators lived in the same town.. [Fifth Panel]: 1790 Elbert County Established On December 10, 1790, Elbert County was created from Wilkes County by Act of the Georgia Legislature. Named for General Samuel Elbert, Revolutionary soldier and Governor of Georgia. First session of Elbert County Superior Court was held on January 20, 1791, at the home of Thomas A. Carter on Beaverdam Creek.. [Sixth Panel]: 1790 - 1860 A Time of Growth Elbert County's population increased rapidly. Lands were cleared, roads were built, and cotton replaced tobacco as the principal farm crop. Churches organized -- Van's Creek, Doves Creek and Falling Creek Baptist; Bethlehem, Coldwater, Stinchcomb, Elberton and Eliam Methodist, and others. Heardmont and Ruckersville settled. Joseph Rucker established nationally famous Bank of Ruckersville.. [Seventh Panel]: 1803 City of Elberton Created Elberton was established by the Georgia General Assembly on December 10, 1803. Site selected as county seat because it was near the center of the area, located on a natural water shed, well elevated, and with a good drinking spring.. [Eighth Panel]: 1860 - 1878 Civil War and Reconstruction Elbert County Furnished many troops to the Confederate cause -- 189th and 202nd Georgia Militia, Fireside Guards, Bowman Volunteers, McIntosh Volunteers, and others. Over 280 of these men gave their lives in battle. Elbert was a banner county of Georgia during the Reconstruction period, steadfast in its opposition to radicalism.. [Eighth Panel]: 1878 - 1900 Railroads and Granite Beginnings First railroad in Elbert County, from Elberton to Toccoa, completed in 1878. Another line to Atlanta and Richmond was finished in 1891, opening up new opportunities for commerce and trade. The Elberton granite industry was started with the opening of commercial quarries in 1889 followed by small finishing plants, Elberton gradually became known as "The Granite City.". [Tenth Panel]: 1900 - 1920 Economic and Cultural Expansion Public school system organized. Many schools built. Churches expanded. Cultural groups organized. Farming flourished. Elberton became trade center. Bowman and Middleton incorporated. World War I supported by Elbert Countians. 24 gave their lives in the service of their country. Joseph Rucker Lamar, Ruckersville native, appointed to U.S. Supreme Court in 1911.. [Eleventh Panel]: 1920 - 1940 Boom and Depression Prices of cotton and land reached new highs, followed by new lows. Banks closed and reopened. Elberton's industrial and granite base helped to ease the Depression woes. Chamber of Commerce organized; civic clubs formed; highways built; automobiles, electricity, telephones and other conveniences became commonplace.. [Twelfth Panel]: 1940 - 1960 New Prosperity Elberton's booming granite industry set economic pace for area. Elberton Granite Association formed. Homes and businesses increased in number throughout the city and county. Medical facilities enlarged. World War II and subsequent conflicts claimed lives of 53 from Elbert County. Development of Savannah River hydroelectric projects begun under leadership of Congressman Paul Brown.. [Thirteenth Panel]: 1960 - 1976 Community Progress Granite Center, Municipal Complex, Granite Bowl, Civic Center, new school buildings, churches, banks, recreation facilities, and shopping centers built. Industry more diversified with expansions of employment opportunities. Active community-boosting organizations encourage progress for "ever-expanding" Elberton and Elbert County..

[Column - East/West Inscription]: Elberton
Granite
Bicentennial
Memorial
Fountain
***
Commemorating
The
200th
Anniversary
of
American
Independence
***
1776 — 1976 [Column - North/South Inscription]: Erected
During
1976
As A
Gift
to
Elberton
and
Elbert County
by
Member-Firms
of the
Elberton Granite
Association, Inc
***
May this fountain serve
as an everyday reminder
of the Elberton Granite
Industry's interest in
this community and con-
tributions to this area's
economic and civic life.
[First Panel]: 1776 - 1976
Two Centuries of Advancement
From America's founding in 1776 to its bicentennial year of 1976, the story of Elbert County is one of steady advancement and progress — in agriculture and industry, in development of natural resources, in education and cultural activities, in religious and political endeavors, and in improving the quality of life enjoyed by all its citizens.
[Second Panel]: Before 1776
Early Settlers
Elbert County was a portion of the hunting and burial grounds of the Cherokee and Creek Indians.

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Early settlers came from North Carolina and Virginia. First settlement at Dartmouth prior to 1776. Later known as Petersburg, located at "The Point" where Broad and Savannah Rivers joined.
[Third Panel]: 1776 - 1783
Revolutionary War Period
Elbert County area was part of Wilkes County. Colonial Patriots included Stephen Heard, later Governor of Georgia, Benjamin Hart, Dan Tucker, and others. Nancy Hart, a famous Revolutionary heroine, lived near Broad River and performed magnificent deeds of bravery and military feats.
[Fourth Panel]: 1783 - 1790
Petersburg Era
Petersburg, established by Dionysius Oliver, became a major early Georgia town of 2,000 population. Site covered by waters of Clark Hill Lake in 1950s. Two of Petersburg's residents, Dr. William Wyatt Bibb and Justice Charles Tate, served simultaneously in the U.S. Senate in 1813 -- the only instance in history that two senators lived in the same town.
[Fifth Panel]: 1790
Elbert County Established
On December 10, 1790, Elbert County was created from Wilkes County by Act of the Georgia Legislature. Named for General Samuel Elbert, Revolutionary soldier and Governor of Georgia. First session of Elbert County Superior Court was held on January 20, 1791, at the home of Thomas A. Carter

Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain<br>First Panel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, April 7, 2011

2. Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain
First Panel

on Beaverdam Creek.
[Sixth Panel]: 1790 - 1860
A Time of Growth
Elbert County's population increased rapidly. Lands were cleared, roads were built, and cotton replaced tobacco as the principal farm crop. Churches organized -- Van's Creek, Doves Creek and Falling Creek Baptist; Bethlehem, Coldwater, Stinchcomb, Elberton and Eliam Methodist, and others. Heardmont and Ruckersville settled. Joseph Rucker established nationally famous Bank of Ruckersville.
[Seventh Panel]: 1803
City of Elberton Created
Elberton was established by the Georgia General Assembly on December 10, 1803. Site selected as county seat because it was near the center of the area, located on a natural water shed, well elevated, and with a good drinking spring.
[Eighth Panel]: 1860 - 1878
Civil War & Reconstruction
Elbert County Furnished many troops to the Confederate cause -- 189th and 202nd Georgia Militia, Fireside Guards, Bowman Volunteers, McIntosh Volunteers, and others. Over 280 of these men gave their lives in battle. Elbert was a banner county of Georgia during the Reconstruction period, steadfast in its opposition to radicalism.
[Eighth Panel]: 1878 - 1900
Railroads & Granite Beginnings
First railroad in Elbert County,

Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain<br>Second Panel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, April 7, 2011

3. Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain
Second Panel

from Elberton to Toccoa, completed in 1878. Another line to Atlanta and Richmond was finished in 1891, opening up new opportunities for commerce and trade. The Elberton granite industry was started with the opening of commercial quarries in 1889 followed by small finishing plants, Elberton gradually became known as "The Granite City."
[Tenth Panel]: 1900 - 1920
Economic & Cultural Expansion
Public school system organized. Many schools built. Churches expanded. Cultural groups organized. Farming flourished. Elberton became trade center. Bowman and Middleton incorporated. World War I supported by Elbert Countians. 24 gave their lives in the service of their country. Joseph Rucker Lamar, Ruckersville native, appointed to U.S. Supreme Court in 1911.
[Eleventh Panel]: 1920 - 1940
Boom and Depression
Prices of cotton and land reached new highs, followed by new lows. Banks closed and reopened. Elberton's industrial and granite base helped to ease the Depression woes. Chamber of Commerce organized; civic clubs formed; highways built; automobiles, electricity, telephones and other conveniences became commonplace.
[Twelfth Panel]: 1940 - 1960
New Prosperity
Elberton's booming granite industry set economic pace for area. Elberton Granite Association

Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain<br>Third Panel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, April 7, 2011

4. Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain
Third Panel

formed. Homes and businesses increased in number throughout the city and county. Medical facilities enlarged. World War II and subsequent conflicts claimed lives of 53 from Elbert County. Development of Savannah River hydroelectric projects begun under leadership of Congressman Paul Brown.
[Thirteenth Panel]: 1960 - 1976
Community Progress
Granite Center, Municipal Complex, Granite Bowl, Civic Center, new school buildings, churches, banks, recreation facilities, and shopping centers built. Industry more diversified with expansions of employment opportunities. Active community-boosting organizations encourage progress for "ever-expanding" Elberton and Elbert County.

Erected 1976 by Elberton Granite Association, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1862.

Location. 34° 6.597′ N, 82° 52.067′ W. Marker is in Elberton, Georgia, in Elbert County. Marker is on South Oliver Street (State Highway 77), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Elberton GA 30635, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Confederate Dead (within shouting distance of this marker); Elbert County (within shouting distance of this marker);

Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain<br>Fourth Panel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, April 7, 2011

5. Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain
Fourth Panel

In the Year 1803 (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory (within shouting distance of this marker); Grave of General Wiley Thompson (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Post Road (within shouting distance of this marker); Elbert County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Nancy Hart (within shouting distance of this marker); Samuel Elbert (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Seaboard Airline Depot (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elberton.

Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain<br>Fifth Panel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, April 7, 2011

6. Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain
Fifth Panel

Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain<br>Sixth Panel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, April 7, 2011

7. Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain
Sixth Panel

Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain<br>Seventh Panel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, April 7, 2011

8. Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain
Seventh Panel

Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain<br>Eighth Panel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, April 7, 2011

9. Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain
Eighth Panel

Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain<br>Ninth Panel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, April 7, 2011

10. Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain
Ninth Panel

Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain<br>Tenth Panel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, April 7, 2011

11. Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain
Tenth Panel

Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain<br>Eleventh Panel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, April 7, 2011

12. Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain
Eleventh Panel

Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain<br>Twelfth Panel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, April 7, 2011

13. Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain
Twelfth Panel

Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain<br>Thirteenth Panel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, April 7, 2011

14. Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain
Thirteenth Panel

Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain<br>Eagle Detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, April 7, 2011

15. Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain
Eagle Detail

Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain<br>Elbert County Courthouse in Background image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, April 7, 2011

16. Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain
Elbert County Courthouse in Background

Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 8, 2012, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 883 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. submitted on May 8, 2012, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.