Seaman 2nd Class Fred Wilson Bates

Historical marker location:

117 N Hill St, Griffin, Georgia

( Memorial is at the intersection of North Hill Street (Georgia Route 155) and West Slaton Avenue, on the right when traveling south on North Hill Street.)

U.S. Navy.

The first gold rush in America happened in Georgia in 1828, when gold was discovered in the northwestern part of the state. This discovery led to the creation of the Dahlonega Mint, which produced gold coins until the outbreak of the Civil War.