- LeConte Botanical Gardens State
Historical Marker
- Located on U.S. 17 two miles south of Riceboro at
Retreat, Ga.
(Text)
- LeCONTE BOTANICAL GARDENS
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Five miles west of here on the
old Post Road, the southern most postal route in America, is
the site of the home and botanical garden of Louis LeConte, naturalist,
mathematician, and scholar, for whom the famous LeConte Pear
was named. A native of New Jersey, Dr. LeConte was married to
Ann Quarterman, a member of Midway Church in 1812. He established
his famed botanical gardens on his extensive plantation. In his
attic he fitted a chemical laboratory which included novelties
of a botanical garden in which he cultivated rare plants, which
came from all parts of the world. Although the modest Dr. LeConte
did not exploit his achievements, it was nothing unusual for
visitors from foreign lands to view his gardens.
Dr. LeConte's internationally known
sons, Dr. John LeConte, born in 1818 and Dr. Joseph LeConte,
born in 1823, at the family plantation, were two of the most
distinguished scientific scholars of the nineteenth century.
They made the University of California famous.
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- 089-3 GEORGIA HISTORICAL
COMMISSION 1954
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