HistoricSiteMarkers
Early Republic

The Blackshear Road

Eastman, Dodge County, Georgia

Marker Inscription

The Blackshear Road. At this point the highway was originally known as the Blackshear Road. It was planned and cut out, in 1815, by Major Elijah Blackshear and a company of Georgia Volunteer Militia. This road gained fame as the alternative route used by General David Blackshear during his defense of the threatened invasion of the Southern border of Georgia in the War of 1812.

Erected by State of Georgia

The Story

This stretch of highway follows the old Blackshear Road, planned and cut through the wilderness in 1815 by Major Elijah Blackshear and a company of Georgia Volunteer Militia. It gained its fame as the alternate route General David Blackshear used while defending Georgia's threatened southern frontier during the War of 1812. The road later served as a route of settlement and travel.

Why it matters

Military roads like this one opened the Georgia backcountry, linking frontier defense in the War of 1812 to the settlement that followed.

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Related people

  • ยท Elijah Blackshear
  • ยท David Blackshear

Related events

  • ยท War of 1812

Themes & tags

War of 1812TransportationFrontier HistoryLandmark

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