Wash Collier facts for kids
George Washington "Wash" Collier (born 1813, died 1903) was a very early settler in the Atlanta area. He helped shape the city as it grew from a small settlement.
Wash Collier moved to the Atlanta area in 1822. His father, Meredith Collier, bought a piece of land there. On this land, Meredith built a four-room house. Wash was one of 15 children in his family. Later, he bought the house and land from his father.
Around 1868, Wash Collier built a new house on the same spot. This house still stands today in an area called Ansley Park.
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Wash Collier's Contributions to Atlanta
Wash Collier played an important role in the early days of Atlanta. He was the very first postmaster in the area. This meant he was in charge of delivering mail. He ran the mail service from a fort called Standing Peachtree, located on the Chattahoochee River.
Land Ownership and Development
Collier owned a large piece of undeveloped land, Land Lot 104, for most of his life. Because he kept this land undeveloped, the northern part of what is now Midtown stayed mostly natural and wild for a long time.
Important Interview
In 1899, Wash Collier gave a long interview to the Atlanta Journal newspaper. This interview is very important today. It helps historians understand the early history of the Atlanta area. It is considered a key source of information from that time.
Building the Hotel Aragon
Wash Collier also built and owned the Hotel Aragon. This was one of the most important hotels in the city. It was a major building in Atlanta during its early growth.
