The Eagle Tavern

I enjoyed my trip to this part of north Georgia. I also visited Madison and will post some photos of that city later. Both are beautiful, and if you want to see true Civil War cities in the south, Watkinsville and Madison have all you could hope to find. This is a partial view of the Eagle Tavern. There is another side of the building that is not in this photo. The original section of the tavern dates back to the 1700’s. The structure, after being an inn, possibly Revolutionary War fort, a stage coach stop, and a tavern, today is a visitor’s center. It’s been restored to look the way a frontier tavern might have looked in early 19th century Georgia. The tavern in its present form was built in 1820 along a stagecoach route that carried students north to the University of Georgia. Thus, becoming a popular stop with the students.

Some believe that prior to 1750, a blockhouse occupied the site making it the furthest point west settlers of the original 13 colonies traveled in search of new settlements. Regardless of the date of construction, historians agree the Eagle Tavern was the first building constructed west of the Oconee River in Georgia. When the tavern opened in 1820, Watkinsville was the seat of government for Clarke County. And of course, the building was spared the torch on Sherman’s March to the Sea.

I love this shot. It is sort of from another world. Right now, I look for reflections in most everything. These original windows did the trick. They reflected the blue sky perfectly. The wavier effect is the glass itself. I actually thought there was a plastic liner behind the glass panes but it is just the age and nature of the glass.