all about

Milledgeville, Georgia
by: Gillum Owen
Governor John Milledgeville was
Milledge takes
office established in 1804
and named for
Outside of the new town, the land was used primarily for cotton
Georgia
production. Cotton bales wereGovernor,
shipped down the Oconee River.

GA legislature calls for
establishment of new town
to be named in honor of
Governor Milledge.
John Milledge
The booming cotton economy increased the
demand for slave labor. Slaves were sold at capital
square, next to the Presbyterian church by the
current GMC.

December 1894
the new city The Georgia Lunatic Asylum (later would be
was named called Central State Hospital) was built in the
capital of GA
mid to late 1830’s

Oglethorpe University, now located in Atlanta,

once had its campus here. It was forced to
End of John Milledge’s term close during the war.
as GA governor
 Built in 1807, the capitol building was constructed when the capital of GA moved to
Milledgeville. This building is best known for being the place where Georgia’s
Succession Convention was held in 1861. Georgia officially succeed from the union on
January 19, 1861. The Old Capitol Building was damaged during Sherman’s March to the
Sea. It is now located on The Georgia Military College’s campus and holds tours daily.

Built in 1839, this iconic Milledgeville structure was home to eight governors
and their families from 1839-1868. It was saved during Sherman’s march to the
sea because Sherman was allowed to stay in the Mansion’s dining room. Once
this capital fell, after the war, the home was used as a boarding house for what
is now known as Georgia College. In fact, the presidential apartment for the
schools presiding president was long located on the second floor. It has now
been restored to its original appearance.

The capitol buildings used during this time period are now located on Georgia
Military College’s campus.
 georgia college
Georgia College was chartered in
It was renamed again to
1889 as Georgia Normal and
Georgia College & State
Industrial College.
University in 1996 and gained
the mission of Georgia’s public
During World War II, liberal arts university.
Georgia State College for
Women served as one of
four colleges that trained
WAVES for the U.S. Navy.
GC’s mascot is the the
bobcats and colors are blue
and green!
It became coeducational in
1967, and was renamed
Georgia College at
Milledgeville.
 Famous Milledgeville
Residents
While she was not born in
Milledgeville, O’Connor
spent much of her life living
on Andalusia Farm and
received her education from
Herty was born in 1867. During
now GCSU. She is now
his life, he was a professor and
known for her short stories
had a love for collegiate
which have been given
athletics, creating the first
many awards.
varsity football team at the
University of Georgia.

O’Connor is buried at historic

Visit the historical marker for the
Memorial Hill Cemetery,
birthplace of Herty, located next to
where south liberty and
GCSU front campus
franklin streets meet.

(photo taken by the author)

things to do:
gillum owen
Gillum is a current
resident of
Milledgeville, GA,
where she is enrolled at
GCSU and studying
Early Childhood
Education. In her free
time she enjoys
reading, trying out new
recipes and taking
walks throughout this
historic city.

about
the
author