Thomson in McDuffie County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Home of Thomas E. Watson

(1856–1922)

Photographed By David Seibert, July 17, 2005

1. Home of Thomas E. Watson Marker

Inscription. After passing the state Bar in 1876, native Thomas E. Watson returned to Thomson and lived in this house with his family from 1881 to 1900. In his first floor office Watson began his law and writing career and entered politics. He served in the Georgia House (1882), U.S. Congress (1890–92), and the U.S. Senate (1920–22). He was nominated for Vice President on the Populist Party ticket with William Jennings Bryan in 1896. Here Watson authored the two-volume Story of France and a biography of Napoleon. In a career often marked by controversy, he was best known as the “Father of Rural Free Delivery.”

Erected 2001 by Georgia Historical Society and the Watson-Brown Foundation. (Marker Number 94-1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.

Location. 33° 28.179′ N, 82° 30.449′ W. Marker is in Thomson, Georgia, in McDuffie County. Marker is on Tom Watson Way, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 310 Tom Watson Way, Thomson GA 30824, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance

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of this marker. VFW Post 6672 KIA Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); VFW Veterans Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sen. Thomas E. Watson (approx. 0.2 miles away); McDuffie County (approx. 0.2 miles away); Nancy Hart Highway (approx. 0.2 miles away); Thomas Edward Watson (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rear Admiral Richard Ellington Hawes (approx. 0.2 miles away); McDuffie and Columbia Counties Confederate Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Woodman of the World Supreme Sacrifice Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hickory Hill (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Thomson.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Rural Free Delivery Markers.

Also see . . .
1. Thomas E. Watson. Elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1890, Watson pushed through legislation mandating Rural Free Delivery, the "biggest and most expensive endeavor" ever instituted by the U.S. postal service. (Submitted on September 10, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

2. Rural Free Delivery. Rural Free Delivery (RFD) is a service which began in the United States in the late 19th century, to deliver mail directly to rural farm families. (Submitted on September 10, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

Photographed By Brian Scott, August 19, 2015

2. Home of Thomas E. Watson Marker

Home of Thomas E. Watson image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David Seibert, July 17, 2005

3. Home of Thomas E. Watson

Photographed By Brian Scott, August 19, 2015

4. Home of Thomas E. Watson Marker

Photographed By Brian Scott, August 19, 2015

5. Home of Thomas E. Watson Marker

Thomas E. Watson (1856-1922) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott

6. Thomas E. Watson (1856-1922)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 16, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,113 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 23, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2. submitted on September 10, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 3. submitted on July 23, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 10, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.