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In 1804 the Georgia legislature passed an act to move
the Capital closer to the geographic center of the
state. The fourth capital was named Milledgeville for
John Milledge, Governor of Georgia (1802-06), United
States Senator (1806-09) and donor of the land for the
University of Georgia. Situated on the fall line of the
Oconee River, Milledgeville was chosen because of its
central location and ample springs. A brick Gothic
style Capitol was erected at a cost of $80,000. The
General Assembly met for the first time in the building
in 1807. Twice the building was partially destroyed by
fire. Restored in 1943, the exterior of the present
building is a replica of the original. Today, the Old
Capitol is part of Georgia Military College. The
Governor's Mansion was built in 1838 and remains on that
original site today.
Milledgeville remained the capital of Georgia for 61
years. It was from here in 1861 that a special state
convention voted for Georgia to secede from the Union.
The Capital was occupied by Sherman during his March to
the Sea. The legislature adjourned and later reconvened
in Macon in 1865. At the end of the war, the Legislature
was allowed to reconvene at the Capitol in
Milledgeville. During the war, the Great Seal of Georgia
was hidden by Secretary of State Nathan Barnett under
his home. The Federals ordered an artist to make an
identical seal. However, the artist put the soldier's
sword in the left hand instead of the right. This makes
it possible for historians to recognize state papers
stamped during that period.
With the removal of the capital to Atlanta in 1868,
Milledgeville experienced an economic decline. By the
late 19th and 20th centuries, Milledgeville's improved
lighting, streets, telephone and water supply encouraged
new building and commerce. |
