Site of Wilkes County Academy

Site of Wilkes County Academy is a Georgia historical marker in Wilkes County, dedicated 1958.

Located on US 78 Business, west of GA 44 in Washington.

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This is the site of Wilkes County Academy, built in 1797. The Academy was authorized by the Legislature in 1783, one of the first public schools chartered by the State of Georgia. Commissioners were: Stephen Heard, Micajah Williamson, Robert Harper, Daniel Coleman, and Zachariah Lamar. Samuel Blackburn was the first teacher. Classes were held in rented houses until 1797, when with funds raised by public subscription, a commodious two story brick building was erected for an Academy and Church. The Academy was in active use until 1824, when it was torn down and the school removed to a location nearer the business section of Washington.

Maps this old were drawn largely by eye, so places on them can sit miles from where they really are. The pin is ours and marks the marker's location today.

TodayHistorical map

Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.

Digital Commonwealth, Boston Public Library

Historical maps covering this location

1776 · A general map of the southern British colonies in America comprehending North and South… (Digital Commonwealth, Boston Public Library)
1795 · State of South Carolina. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
1816 · Georgia. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
1816 · Georgia (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
1824 · Georgia. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)

State of South Carolina, 1795, covering the location of Site of Wilkes County Academy, with a pin at the marker's coordinates — State of South Carolina, 1795, covering this location. David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries. The pin is ours, placed from the marker's coordinates.

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What that marker records spans 1777 to 1789, overlapping William Gabby's years there.

From one family's 77-marker roster

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This historical marker is part of the Georgia Historical Marker Program and was erected by the Georgia Historical Commission. Marker texts and locations come from the Society's own marker database.

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Jefferson Davis, Wilkes Countyunder 1 mi