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James Oglethorpe Monument


James Oglethorpe Monument

Located on Main St. across the street from the Old Jail one block north of the courthouse, Jasper

In 1930. this 38-foot marble monument was erected atop Mount Oglethorpe in Pickens County as an early celebration of the 1933 bicentennial of Georgia. Eventually, lightning, weather, and vandals had caused severe damage to the monument. In the late 1990s, it was removed to Jasper and world-famous sculptor Eino began work on its restoration. In 1999, the monument was re-erected on Main St. across from the Old Pickens County Jail. Counting the three concentric circles at the base, the monument stands over 42 feet in height. In 2001, a historical marker about the monument was erected near its base.

The base of the monument's shaft is square, with a bas relief of James Oglethorpe, the state seal, a map of Georgia, and the scales of justice on the four sides. Beneath the image of Oglethorpe is the inscription:

IN GRATEFUL RECOGNITION

OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF

JAMES EDWARD OGLETHORPE

WHO BY COURAGE, INDUSTRY AND

ENDURANCE FOUNDED THE

COMMONWEALTH OF GEORGIA IN 1732

DEDICATED JULY 25, 1930

(Note: The monument was completed in the spring or early summer of 1930, with an anticipated dedication date of July 25. However, the dedication was delayed until a road could be constructed to the summit of Mount Oglethorpe and a nearby lodge completed for officials and guests attending the ceremony to stay. The actual dedication took place October 23, 1930.)

 


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