In 1870 a group of Croatan Indians migrated from their homes in Robeson County North Carolina, following the turpentine industry to southeast Georgia. Eventually many of the Croatans became tenant farmers for the Adabelle Trading Company, growing . . . — — Map (db m14156) HM
In the old McElveen Cemetery, one-third of a mile northeast of this marker, is the grave of John Abbot, pioneer naturalist of Georgia. Abbot was born in London June 1, 1751, and in early youth became devoted to the study and delineation of insects. . . . — — Map (db m24018) HM
John Abbot of Georgia
1751-1840
Talented artist and searching naturalist of birds and insects.
As a tribute to him and his work may you who stand here find pleasure in the natural beauty of Georgia.
John Abbot lies buried in this . . . — — Map (db m107593) HM
Brooklet, known for its avenue of oak trees, took shape at the end of the 19th century on property owned by A.J. Lee. Optimistic citizens built a new town beside the recently completed Savannah & Statesboro Railroad. Dr. H.K. Thayer, an early . . . — — Map (db m107867) HM
(Side 1):
Upper Black Creek met each month on the third Sunday and Saturday before from the time she was organized in 1802 until the Church elected to meet every Sunday in 1957. Conference was every month on those Saturdays, and Upper . . . — — Map (db m38614) HM
Upper Black Creek Primitive Baptist Church was constituted on August 15, 1802 in the home of John Albritton. The organizing presbytery consisted of Henry Cook, Isham Peacock, John Goldwire and Henry Holcombe. With a membership upward of 40 members. . . . — — Map (db m38612) HM
The highway crossing here is the Old Savannah Road, one of the earliest vehicular routes west of the Ogeechee River. It led from Savannah to the Rock Landing on the Oconee, to the south of the present Milledgeville. There it connected with the main . . . — — Map (db m11101) HM
Three miles east of this point, on the old River Road, is located Union Meeting House (Methodist), the oldest church in Bulloch county, and one of the oldest churches in Georgia remaining continuously active since its organization. Title was . . . — — Map (db m10890) HM
The highway crossing here is the Old River Road, one of the earliest white man’s routes west of the Ogeechee. The State authorized the opening of this portion of the old thoroughfare in 1777. It followed the course of an Indian trail that led to the . . . — — Map (db m54031) HM
This is the site of the Nevils railroad station. The paved road from Denmark to Nevils is the original bed of The Shearwood Railroad that existed from 1912 until 1937. John N. Shearhouse of Brooklet and George Brinson of Stillmore owned Shearwood . . . — — Map (db m107645) HM
The original Portal was located 2 miles north of the current site on Old Portal Road. It got its name in 1894, when the U.S. Postal Service approved a post office for Portal. The E. E. Foy Company, of Effingham County, built a mercantile store that . . . — — Map (db m107650) HM
Organized circa 1829, the church was originally located at the home of Absolom Parrish and called Parrish Meeting House. Following a fire of the log structure on the Parrish farm, the congregation built a second log structure one and one-half miles . . . — — Map (db m107078) HM
Willow Hill School was established in 1874 during Reconstruction as one of the first schools for African Americans in Bulloch County. It was privately supported until being sold to the local Board of Education in 1920. In 1954 the county built a new . . . — — Map (db m107702) HM
In 1874, nine years after the Civil War ended, a group of former slaves of the Riggs, Donaldson, Parrish, and Hall families founded the Willow Hill School to serve the area’s black children. Georgia Ann Riggs, age 15 and a former slave, was the . . . — — Map (db m107739) HM
Oliff, Rushing, Durrence House
c. 1872
Restored 1976 by Dr. C. D. and Mrs. Lois Durrence Sheley
Placed on the National Register of Historic Places, 1987
U. S. Dept. of the Interior — — Map (db m63219) HM
Side 1:
Register, Georgia, a small turpentine community with a largely agricultural heritage, grew into fruition at the turn of the twentieth century. Originally settled in 1855, the town was earlier known as Bengal, then Herschal. . . . — — Map (db m108621) HM
Presented by the City officials and the American Legion in commemoration of its 50th anniversary and dedicated to all those who served the cause of freedom in the armed forces of the United States.
March 15th, 1969 — — Map (db m197870) WM
The U.S. Supreme Court’s 1941 decision United States vs Darby Lumber Co. is a landmark ruling in American legal history. The case affirmed the federal government’s ability to regulate employment conditions, including a minimum wage, under the . . . — — Map (db m107876) HM
This site was purchased in 1897 by Jimmerson C. Jones (1858-1924)for his wife, Minerva Pruella Akins Jones (1863-1923) and their daughters, Nelle C. Jones (1893-1948) and Mary Lee Jones (1897-1980). In 1923 the home was the site of the marriage of . . . — — Map (db m197916) HM
In 1893, this site was the location of D.R. Groover, Attorney-at-Law, and C.A. Sorrier Insurance Agency. In 1894, Greene S. Johnston, joined the location with his law practice. In 1908, this was the site of Johnston and Cone Law Office. In 1910, the . . . — — Map (db m197856) HM
Akins’ Mill Pond
About 1883, using a narrow gauge railroad with mule drawn hopper cars, Green Barnes built a dam on the headwaters of Mill Creek, creating a 300-acre pond, which soon came into the possession of Barnes’ son-in-law, Welcome . . . — — Map (db m110737) HM
The Banks Dairy Farm was operated on this site and included 900 acres of cultivated land combined with dairying operations. David Callaway Banks, born April 8, 1882, in Bulloch County, Georgia, was the founder of Banks Dairy Farm and The City Dairy . . . — — Map (db m106900) HM
Blue Front was the social and business hub for the African American community of Statesboro in the 1930's and 1940's. It was located on the north side of W. Vine Street between S. Walnut Street and the alley just east of this site. By the close of . . . — — Map (db m197878) HM
Buildings built by
Cecil W. Brannen in 1910.
West Main Street listed in commercial
historic district, in the National
Register of Historic Places,
in Bulloch County, Georgia,
September 6, 1989 — — Map (db m197889) HM
Bulloch County was created by Act. of Feb. 8, 1776 from Bryan and Screven Counties. Originally, it contained part of Evans, Candler, Emanuel and Jenkins Counties. It was named for Archibald Bulloch (1730-1777), Revolutionary leader, elected Pres. of . . . — — Map (db m10401) HM
(side 1)
Burkhalter Road is named for the Burkhalter family (formerly spelled Burgholser), a Salzburger family that immigrated to the American colonies. In 1768, Rudolph Burkhalter was granted 400 acres of land on the south bank of the . . . — — Map (db m229280) HM
In 1893, S.T. Chance established Chance Grocery on this site as one of the earliest, if not first, brick buildings in Statesboro. In 1905, W.G. Raines built a two-story building and opened a hardware store. The building continued to serve as a . . . — — Map (db m197852) HM
In 1893, C.A. Lanier and J.A. Fulcher first built a general merchandise store here, which in 1904 also became the location of Rabun's Barbershop. Beginning in 1905, the site became the location of a series of banks including Sea Island (1905-1913), . . . — — Map (db m197872) HM
Eastside Cemetery was established on this site in 1889 in response to citizens’ requests for a central location for the burial of the dead. Early cemeteries, known is burying grounds, dotted fields of early Bulloch County family farms. Majestic . . . — — Map (db m107776) HM
In 1951, Harry Smith renovated his family's home, making a stylistic change from Victorian to Neoclassical. Built around the turn of the 20th century, the house originally featured gingerbread detailing. The building currently houses the Statesboro . . . — — Map (db m197920) HM
Charter Members
Deacon Edmond Kennedy, Deacon A. B. Miller, W.B. Corey, Joseph Tillman, James Price, J. J. M. Griner, Moselle Miller, Mary Tillman, Elizabeth Kennedy, Mary J. Proctor
"We covenant with God and with each other … . . . — — Map (db m10543) HM
Georgia Southern University was founded as First District A&M in 1906. Bulloch County won a bidding war with Tattnall and Emanuel counties offering cash, 300 acres of land, and utilities worth $125,500. Often referred to locally as the . . . — — Map (db m108123) HM
In 1895, S. Waxelbaum & Son sold their business and this corner lot to Raif Simmons. In 1900, Mr. Simmons, contracted with A.J. Franklin to build this three-story business building. Mr. Simmons, and then his daughter, Lula Simmons Grimes, ran . . . — — Map (db m197876) HM
Samuel’s son, Keebler Henry Harville, purchased the property and built the Harville House as a one-story house around 1894. The second story was added ten years later resulting in a total of 14 rooms to accommodate a growing family. The vernacular . . . — — Map (db m106950) HM
African Americans have always been an important part of operating the college. Prior to 1965, though, it was as carpenters, dairymen, custodians, and cooks - many of whom lived in cottages on campus and had long careers with the college. Mose Bass . . . — — Map (db m197930) HM
Gustave Jaeckel opened this hotel in 1905. William Jennings Bryan and Cornelius Vanderbilt were guests here. Blind Willie McTell performed here. The first floor had separate gentlemen's and ladies' parlors. Also on the first floor were the dining . . . — — Map (db m197868) HM
Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair
Chartered in 1960, the Kiwanis Club of Statesboro conducted agricultural fairs in 1963 and 1964 on open lots on Stockyard Road as fund raisers. After torrential rains nearly ruined the 1964 fair, the club purchased 28 . . . — — Map (db m197933) HM
The home known as the Holland House was built in 1892 by Dr. Madison Holland and provided not only a dwelling for the doctor and his family, but also offices and a small hospital. One of the first structures in Statesboro with indoor plumbing, the . . . — — Map (db m197894) HM
President of South Georgia Teachers College and Georgia Teachers College
1934-1941 and 1943-1947
A pioneer in developing rural education, President Pittman organized the College to serve the region and state as a comprehensive . . . — — Map (db m10678) HM
Since 1940, Bulloch County Masons have been meeting in this building which bears common characteristics with other Masonic Halls. Prior to its construction, meetings had been held at this location since the turn of the 20th century. The Ogeechee . . . — — Map (db m197914) HM
Organized 1897
Land donated by Charley Akins, James B. Rushing,
James W. Warnock and Laura Rushing Warnock
First Pastor: Elder Daniel R. McElveen
Charter Members
Elder Daniel R. McElveen, Maggie Warnock McElveen,
Charley Akins, Maggie . . . — — Map (db m197932) HM
Organized from Union by Rev. Lewis Mayers, New Hope was Bulloch’s second Methodist Church. 1804 trustees were David Kennedy, Josiah Everette, Jarvis Jackson, Burrell Whittington and William M. Kennedy: other leaders were Joseph Hodges, Eli Kennedy . . . — — Map (db m107020) HM
Erected in 1917, the old Post Office on South Main Street is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Featuring both Neoclassical and Federal architectural styles, the building served as Statesboro City Hall for a number of years after . . . — — Map (db m197908) HM
Dr. Charles Holmes Herty of the University of Georgia Chemistry Department conducted experiments in this forest that revolutionized the naval stores industry in America. Inspired by conservative gum resin gathering methods in Europe, Dr. Herty . . . — — Map (db m218627) HM
Since, 1910 the Preetorius Building has been a focal point of East Main Street. Originally housing a private banking business, the structure gained attention for its earthquake bolts. The building had offices, the New Statesboro Restaurant and a . . . — — Map (db m197863) HM
Rigdon’s Mill
On Mill Creek just north of this marker stood one of the oldest and long lasting water mills in Bulloch County. It was built about 1840 by Daniel Rigdon and his Irish son-in-law, William Gould, using picks, shovels, and . . . — — Map (db m109042) HM
This path follows the roadbed of the Savannah & Statesboro Railway (S&S RY), completed in 1899. It was created through the interests of timbermen and turpentiners and through the dreams of Statesboro citizens of becoming a railway center. The local . . . — — Map (db m108099) HM
Entering
Savannah Avenue
Historic District
Placed on the National Register
of Historic Places by the
United States Department of the Interior
Listed November 15, 1996 — — Map (db m197925) HM
In 1901, the second bank to open in Statesboro – Sea Island Bank – took its name from the area's staple crop, Sea Island cotton, and moved to its present location in 1912. Like every bank in town, it closed during the Great Depression, but reopened . . . — — Map (db m197871) HM
Approaching Statesboro on Dec. 4, 1864, a strong party of mounted foragers from Hazen's division, 15th Corps (USA), on the right of Gen. Sherman's army on its destructive March to the Sea, was attacked by a detachment of Confederate cavalry and . . . — — Map (db m11173) HM
The first undertaking business in Statesboro, the Buggy and Wagon Company also employed the city's first licensed embalmer. The building, constructed in 1902, was distinctive in the placement of curved windows on the second floor. It was used as a . . . — — Map (db m197843) HM
South Face
Comrades
In Memory Of
The
Confederate Soldier
1861 - 1865
West Face
" How many a glorious
name for us,
How many a story of
fame for us
They left ! Would it
not be a blame for us . . . — — Map (db m10718) HM
The origins of the Statesboro High and Industrial School can be traced to the early 1900s. The African American community's vision to organize a high school for their children in Bulloch County took shape in 1905 when a group of citizens purchased . . . — — Map (db m197842) HM
In 1890 citizens organized and built the city’s first school, the Statesboro Academy, at the corner of North Main and Church Streets. For ten years it served the needs of the community. In 1901 a growing city dedicated a new and larger school at the . . . — — Map (db m107771) HM
In 1908, the 40-bed Statesboro Sanatorium became the community's first hospital. After the opening of a publicly-owned hospital in 1936, the privately-owned hospital was closed and the building converted to a hotel.
Supported by the Jack N. . . . — — Map (db m197844) HM
“In honor of
our Viet Nam veterans
we place this plaque of appreciation
for gallant and valorous service
in the endless quest for peace.” — — Map (db m197850) WM
Statesboro, the only town bearing this name in the country, was created on December 19, 1803, as the seat of a young Bulloch County. Charging just $1.00, Augusta land speculator George Siebald sold 200 acres for the establishment of the town (then . . . — — Map (db m197848) HM
This site was long occupied by B.B. Morris and Company operated by father (A.F. Morris) and son (B.B. Morris-Bonnie Bernard Morris). A.F. had been a meat cutter in business since 1897, and together the two men were recognized as “barbecue . . . — — Map (db m197887) HM
Built in the Beaux Arts style, this building was constructed in 1911. The bank closed due to the Great Depression in 1932. For the next six decades the building served various commercial purposes before being purchased by the City of Statesboro for . . . — — Map (db m197851) HM
Between 1908 and 1936 the medical needs of Bulloch County's citizens were served by the Statesboro Sanitarium, but it closed in 1927 when community funding failed. It reopened a year later, still with inadequate funding. The Sanitarium continued for . . . — — Map (db m197928) HM
The Fabulous Fifty of 1906
On Saturday, December 1, 1906, Gov. Joseph M Terrell, Georgia's "education governor," came to Savannah to moderate the bidding contest for the historic First District's only Agricultural and Mechanical School. . . . — — Map (db m112195) HM
The Art Deco style of the Georgia Theater, built in 1936, was inspired by the 1925 Paris Exposition. Operated as a movie theater until the 1970s, the building's style was maintained in the 1997 renovation which made it a part of the Averitt Center . . . — — Map (db m197854) HM
On Nov. 15, 1864, after destroying Atlanta and cutting his communications to the North, Maj. Gen. W.T. Sherman, USA, began his destructive campaign for Savannah – the March to the Sea. He divided his army (US) into two wings. The Left Wing (14th . . . — — Map (db m9945) HM
In 1790, John Crawford and Phillip Mathews, Burke Circuit preachers, organized a Methodist Society in the home of Joshua Hodges, Sr. In 1791, Union Meeting House became a frequent entry in Circuit records. In 1794, Union Trustees obtained from . . . — — Map (db m107051) HM
Generations of Bulloch County residents have enjoyed the unique flavors of Vandy's Bar-B-Que. Vandy's opened in 1929 in Portal, GA, on Mullet Road and later located to Statesboro in the rear of the Bargain Corner Grocery. In 1943 Vandy's relocated . . . — — Map (db m197882) HM
By resolution adopted October 16, 1980, the State Transportation Board of
Georgia has recognized the honorable W. Jones Lane for his years of dedicated service and devotion to the welfare of the people of the State of Georgia and for his support . . . — — Map (db m10676) HM
[Top plaque]
W.G. Raines Home
restored 1985
by
William A. Frondorf
[Bottom plaque]
This property has been
placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior . . . — — Map (db m197922) HM
The first internment in Eastside Cemetery occurred on March 8, 1890. Willie Heddleston (Hedleston) was born April 17, 1856 and was a printer for the Eagle Publishing Co., owned by J. A. Brannen. They published the Statesboro Eagle newspaper . . . — — Map (db m197846) HM
This trail commemorates Blind Willie McTell, 1903-1959.
The great Georgia songster spent part of his boyhoo0d in Statesboro and told the US Library of Congress in 1940: “Statesboro is my real home.” William Samuel McTell, blind from . . . — — Map (db m111681) HM
In 1943-45, German and Italian prisoners of war harvested peanuts for Bulloch County's farmers, as well as pulling corn, collecting pecans, cutting cane, and helping with general farm jobs. Georgia was suffering from a severe labor shortage with so . . . — — Map (db m108946) HM
When the Savannah & Statesboro Railway was completed in 1899, some of the stations along the track began to grow into villages. One of these was Stilson, named for Stilson Hutchinson who was instrumental in getting the Railway to pass through . . . — — Map (db m109681) HM
