The Unique History of Washington-Wilkes, Georgia

The most interesting fact about Washington-Wilkes? It has the most antebellum homes in GA - over 100!

The town of Washington is located in East Central Georgia -- one hour from Athens, one hour from Augusta, and two hours from Atlanta. Wilkes County was the first county in Georgia formed under the Georgia Constitution of 1777. It was named for British Parliamentarian and American Independence supporter John Wilkes. Just three years later, the county seat, Washington, was incorporated and became the first chartered town in the country named for George Washington.

Washington-Wilkes has played a major role in not only Georgia's history but our nation's as well. The Revolutionary battle of Kettle Creek was fought in Wilkes County on February 14, 1779. This battle was responsible for driving the British out of northeast Georgia. During the War Between the States, Washington-Wilkes played host to the last cabinet meeting of the Confederacy, which took place in the old Bank of Georgia building- also known as the Heard House-and was attended by Jefferson Davis. It was also the last place that the infamous Confederate gold was tracked... and never found.

More interesting facts about Washington, Georgia --

• In the Battle of Kettle Creek on February 14, 1779, the American forces defeated 700 Tories, thus checking the British from occupying the entire State.
• Washington (pop 4,950) was the first town in the United States named for George Washington on January 23, 1780
• On July 22, 1790, Washington's Reverend John Springer became the first ordained Presbyterian minister in Georgia.
• Eli Whitney spent time perfecting his cotton gin and tutoring children a few miles east of Washington at John Talbot's plantation, Mount Pleasant (now the Griggs Home).
• Washington is home to the first female newspaper editor in Georgia and probably the Southeast, Sarah Porter Hillhouse, of Washington's The Monitor in 1803 - now the Slaton Home.
• The first white female executed in the state of Georgia, Polly Barclay, was hanged west of town on May 13, 1806 (tree no longer there).

Enjoy a historic home tour on Saturday, December 9, 2017, from 10am - 5pm, with free art venues and an evening Holiday Parade of Lights through Downtown Washington. The homes on our tour range from antebellum mansions to early twentieth century cottages -- all decorated for the season. After eating at one of our restaurants on the Square, shop for unique gifts at our antique and boutique shops! Children are welcome. Tickets $30 at http://www.historyofwilkes.org. The tour is sponsored by the Washington-Wilkes Historical Foundation.