William Washington Gordon Monument facts for kids
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William Washington Gordon Monument (2013)
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| Location | Wright Square, Savannah, Georgia, United States |
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| Designer | Henry Van Brunt Frank M. Howe |
| Material | Granite Marble |
| Height | 47 feet (14 m) |
| Dedicated to | William Washington Gordon |
The William Washington Gordon Monument is a public monument located in Savannah, Georgia. You can find it in Wright Square. This monument honors William Washington Gordon, who was an important businessman and politician. It was designed by Henry Van Brunt and Frank M. Howe and finished in 1883.
Contents
Who Was William Washington Gordon?
William Washington Gordon was a very important person in the mid-1800s. He was known for his work with railroads. He founded and became the first president of the Central of Georgia Railway. This railway helped connect different parts of Georgia.
Gordon was also the father of Juliette Gordon Low. She is famous for starting the Girl Scouts of the USA. William Washington Gordon passed away in 1842 when he was 46 years old.
Why Was the Monument Built?
Years after Gordon's death, people wanted to build a monument to remember him. They wanted to honor his contributions to Georgia. The Central of Georgia Railway helped pay for the monument.
What Was There Before the Monument?
Before the monument was built, Wright Square had a special pyramid of rocks. This pyramid marked the burial place of Tomochichi. Tomochichi was a chief of the Yamacraw people. He was a good friend to the first settlers of Savannah.
After Tomochichi died in 1739, he was buried in Wright Square. General James Oglethorpe, who founded Georgia, was even one of the people who carried his coffin.
Where Did Tomochichi's Burial Site Go?
To make room for the new Gordon monument, Tomochichi's burial site was moved. His body was carefully relocated from the center of the square. It was moved to the southeast corner of Wright Square.
Later, in 1899, a new monument was built for Tomochichi. This happened because Nellie Gordon, William Washington Gordon's daughter-in-law, worked hard for it. She was also the first president of the Georgia branch of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America.
What Does the Monument Look Like?
The William Washington Gordon Monument is 47 feet tall. It is made of granite and marble.
Monument Structure
The monument has a strong granite base, called a pedestal. On top of this base are four marble columns. Between these columns, you can see an urn. At the very top of the monument, there is a globe.
Special Carvings and Messages
One side of the monument has a cool carving of a train. The train is shown on a trestle bridge. This carving reminds everyone of Gordon's work with railroads.
Two other sides of the monument have important messages carved into them. These messages tell us about William Washington Gordon and why the monument was built.
William Washington Gordon Born June 17, 1796 Died March 20 1842 The Pioneer Of Works Of Internal Improvement In His Native State And First President Of The Central Rail Road And Banking Company Of Georgia To Which He Gave His Time His Talents And Finally His Life
Erected A.D. 1882 By The Central Railroad And Banking Company Of Georgia In Honor Of A Brave Man + A Faithful And Devoted Officer And To Preserve His Name In The Grateful Remembrance Of His Fellow Citizens
In 1958, a Georgia historical marker was placed in Wright Square. This marker helps people learn more about the monument and the history of the area.
Images for kids
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William Washington Gordon Monument (2013)
