National Register Listing

Elam-Camp House

216 Jackson St., Gordon, GA
Local significance of the building:
Architecture; Social History

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

architecture social history houses residential buildings
Audiobooks about the history of Georgia.
The state of Georgia was home to the first American-born saint, Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, who founded the Sacred Heart Orphanage in Savannah in 1900.
Georgia random facts
Wilkinson County, located in central Georgia, has a rich and diverse history that stretches back hundreds of years. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Creek and Cherokee nations, who lived off the land and established villages along the Oconee and Ocmulgee Rivers.

In the early 19th century, European settlers began to arrive and establish homesteads in the region. The county was officially created in 1803 and named after General James Wilkinson, a prominent military leader and politician. The county seat, initially known as Irwinton, was established in 1807 and later renamed Irwinville in honor of Governor Jared Irwin.

During the Civil War, Wilkinson County played a significant role as it witnessed both Union and Confederate forces passing through the area. The Battle of Griswoldville, fought in 1864, took place partly within the county's borders. The war took a toll on the region, causing economic and social hardship for many residents.

In the years following the war, Wilkinson County experienced a period of agricultural growth and industrial development. The county's fertile farmland supported a thriving cotton industry, and mills were established along the rivers to harness water power for various industries. However, like many rural areas in the south, Wilkinson County faced challenges during the Great Depression and subsequent decline of agriculture.

Today, Wilkinson County remains a small, rural community with a focus on agriculture and a strong sense of community. Its historic sites, such as the Old Jail Museum and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, draw visitors interested in exploring the county's past. Despite the challenges it has faced, Wilkinson County continues to hold onto its heritage while looking towards a prosperous future.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Wilkinson County, Georgia.

  • 1773 - Wilkes County is established in Georgia.
  • 1803 - Wilkinson County is carved out of the southern part of Washington County.
  • 1825 - Irwinton becomes the county seat of Wilkinson County.
  • 1873 - A devastating fire destroys much of Irwinton.
  • 1911 - The Central of Georgia Railway extends its tracks to Wilkinson County, boosting the local economy.
  • 1988 - The Oconee National Forest is established in the northern part of the county.