General Longstreet's Gainesville

[Eleanor Rose]

Entrance to Stumphouse.

I recently visited Gainesville, GA and did my best to track down all the sites related to General Longstreet. I hope you enjoy the pictures and posts that follow. My husband was a really good sport and a great photographer.

Our base camp was the Glen-Ella Springs Inn near Clarkesville so our adventure began with a side trip to Stumphouse Tunnel in nearby Walhalla, SC. Construction on this tunnel began in 1853, but it was never completed due to the Civil War. It would have been more than a mile long making it the longest railroad tunnel in the U.S. Visitors can hike into the tunnel with a flashlight. It is a cool 60 degrees year round.

The "end of the line" for Stumphouse. Clemson University stored blue cheese beyond this gated door in the 1950's.

Another interesting site we passed along the way. This is Traveler's Rest, a stagecoach inn and plantation home that was built around 1815 by James R. Wyly. Wyly operated the inn until 1833 when he sold it to his neighbor Devereaux Jarrett. Jarrett continued to operate the inn, but doubled its size to make it the homeplace of his 14,400-acre plantation along the Tugaloo River.

 

[Eleanor Rose]

The Longstreet Bivouac hosted by the Longstreet Society in Gainesville was the highlight of my trip. They had several special exhibits on display and lots of fellow Longstreet fans to engage.

Our first stop was the site of the railroad station that General Longstreet walked to daily to welcome arrivals and extend them an invitation to his Piedmont Hotel. The hotel was completed just shortly before the grand opening of the rail line in 1873.

The Piedmont Hotel is just a short walk from the train station. Sadly all that remains of the majestic hotel today is a single wing.

Helen Dortch Longstreet's family Bible was on display for the Longstreet Bivouac along with numerous other special items.

I loved seeing so many original documents that were significant to General Longstreet. My favorite was his commission to serve as Minister to Turkey.

This is the renovated, but still-existing bedroom where a young Woodrow Wilson's daughter was born at the Piedmont Hotel in 1887.

You can't visit the Piedmont Hotel without posing with the General!

 

[Eleanor Rose]

I couldn't visit Gainesville without seeing where General Longstreet built his home. The house burned long before his death, but the site honors him with a statue and supposedly a piece of one of his original grapevines. I hope that part is true! This is all located on Longstreet Circle.

After marrying Helen Dortch, the General and his bride resided in the house below when they were in Gainesville. As I understand this was Helen's home prior to their marraige. The house is now home to a private business.

 

[Eleanor Rose]

General Longstreet died in Gainesville while visiting his daughter. She lived a short distance from the home he shared with Helen. Now a vacant lot, the steps to Lulu's house are still visible.

Can you spot the steps below?

General Longstreet lay in state at the county courthouse. There is a marker commemorating his life located near there.

 

[Eleanor Rose]

My Longstreet tour ended with a visit to Alta Vista Cemetery, my favorite General's final resting place. The General's first wife, Maria Louisa Garland Longstreet, two sons, a daughter-in law and two grandchildren are among those buried in the Longstreet family plot. The U.S. flag flies at his gravesite.

 

[donna]

What wonderful photos. Thanks so much for posting.

Where is Gainesville, Georgia? Is it near Interstate 75?

 

[Podad]

Thanks for sharing. I grew up about 25 miles from Gainesville and worked in Gainesville for a while.

Did you visit the Longstreet Cafe?

 

[Podad]

What wonderful photos. Thanks so much for posting.

Where is Gainesville, Georgia? Is it near Interstate 75?

Gainesville is about 50 miles northeast of Atlanta. Interstate 985 connects the two cities. Gainesville was once considered the Poultry capital of the world due to multiple poultry production companies being there.

 

[bdtex]

Great pictures. Looks like you had a fun trip.

 

[bankerpapaw]

Entrance to Stumphouse.
View attachment 133739
I recently visited Gainesville, GA and did my best to track down all the sites related to General Longstreet. I hope you enjoy the pictures and posts that follow. My husband was a really good sport and a great photographer.

Our base camp was the Glen-Ella Springs Inn near Clarkesville so our adventure began with a side trip to Stumphouse Tunnel in nearby Walhalla, SC. Construction on this tunnel began in 1853, but it was never completed due to the Civil War. It would have been more than a mile long making it the longest railroad tunnel in the U.S. Visitors can hike into the tunnel with a flashlight. It is a cool 60 degrees year round.

View attachment 133740

The "end of the line" for Stumphouse. Clemson University stored blue cheese beyond this gated door in the 1950's.

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Another interesting site we passed along the way. This is Traveler's Rest, a stagecoach inn and plantation home that was built around 1815 by James R. Wyly. Wyly operated the inn until 1833 when he sold it to his neighbor Devereaux Jarrett. Jarrett continued to operate the inn, but doubled its size to make it the homeplace of his 14,400-acre plantation along the Tugaloo River.

View attachment 133743

Love your pictures. Thanks.

 

[WJC]

I couldn't visit Gainesville without seeing where General Longstreet built his home. The house burned long before his death, but the site honors him with a statue and supposedly a piece of one of his original grapevines. I hope that part is true! This is all located on Longstreet Circle.

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After marrying Helen Dortch, the General and his bride resided in the house below when they were in Gainesville. As I understand this was Helen's home prior to their marraige. The house is now home to a private business.

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Thanks for sharing!
I like the statue of Longstreet you photographed much better than the one at Gettysburg....

 

[WJC]

My Longstreet tour ended with a visit to Alta Vista Cemetery, my favorite General's final resting place. The General's first wife, Maria Louisa Garland Longstreet, two sons, a daughter-in law and two grandchildren are among those buried in the Longstreet family plot. The U.S. flag flies at his gravesite.

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I like that they fly Old Glory at his grave. From what I know of him, I believe he would like that....

 

[dlavin]

Great tour and photos. Thank you much for sharing!

 

[CW Watch & Sword Guy]

Great photography. I have a soft spot for James Longstreet.

 

[Eleanor Rose]

Gainesville is about 50 miles northeast of Atlanta. Interstate 985 connects the two cities. Gainesville was once considered the Poultry capital of the world due to multiple poultry production companies being there.

Former poultry capital? Maybe that explains why the Piedmont Hotel was famous for its fried chicken. Supposedly people came from all over to give it a try. Sadly, we didn't have a chance to try the Longstreet Cafe. I was told it is very good. I really liked the Gainesville area.

 

[missourian]

Very interesting and nice pix!

 

[JohnW.]

Thank you @Eleanor Rose for posting the photos and the guided tour!!! Gainesville has long been on my bucket list of Civil War destinations to see. I am very surprised I didn't do it when I lived in Chattanooga years ago.

 

[alexjack]

Great photos @Eleanor Rose. Thanks for sharing them.

 

[War Horse]

An excellent tour @Eleanor Rose . I enjoyed it very much. You are carrying on splendidly.

 

[LoriAnn]

Can you spot the steps below?

Argh, this breaks my heart. Why does this image tug at me?

Wonderful tour, @Eleanor Rose ~ thank you!