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Elberton, Georgia: Dutchy, the Yankee Confederate

A granite statue of a goggle-eyed Confederate soldier -- who critics said resembled a Yankee -- that was torn down and buried in 1900, then dug up in 1982 and put on display in a granite museum.

Elberton Granite Museum

Address:
1 Granite Plaza NW, Elberton, GA
Directions:
Elberton Granite Museum. West side of downtown. One block north of Hwy 17/72 and three blocks west of Hwy 77.
Hours:
M-Sa 2-5 (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
706-283-2551
RA Rates:
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Visitor Tips and News About Dutchy, the Yankee Confederate

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Granite Capital of the World

My now-deceased uncle by marriage was born and raised in Elberton. So since he married my aunt (she still lives there), I have visited this little town and its Granite Museum and Granite Pit all of my 63 years of life. I was surprised that Dutchy is mentioned on your list for Elberton, but not its distinguished title of Granite Capital of the World!

[Pat from Atlanta, 07/08/2012]

Our apologies. Only a town worthy of the title Granite Capital of the World would have a granite pit, a granite museum, and the courage to display a granite statue such as Dutchy.

Dutchy, marble statue.

Dutchy, the Yankee Confederate

Many statues and tombstones are made out of the blue-gray marble from Elberton, GA, but the first was the nefarious "Dutchy": The statue commissioned by town and county leaders to honor Confederate veterans. Created by Arthur Beter, an immigrant who, by legend, never saw a Confederate soldier. In 1898, the eight-foot sculpture was unveiled in Sutton Square.

Locals instantly disliked the statue. Still living Confederate veterans believed the squatty mustachioed figure clad in a Union overcoat and kepi cap looked like a Yankee and nicknamed it "Dutchy". It stood in the square for only two years. The sculptor did not stay in town after the memorial was finished, so the town's wrath turned on the statue. On August 14, 1900, a mob knocked Dutchy from his pedestal (an empty whisky barrel near the site led some to claim Dutchy had gotten drunk and fallen off). The next day, a mob of people who found him decided to rid themselves of the embarrassing monstrosity and buried "him" on the square. Soon after, a figure more reminiscent of a Confederate Soldier was created and placed on the pedestal.

"Dutchy" got the last laugh. The plant that quarried and carved that first statue turned into the present multi-million dollar industry that provides the most local jobs in the area. Remembering his tale, the town had Dutchy exhumed in 1982, the red clay was removed by a run through a car wash, and the defamed monument found a home in the Elberton Granite Museum and Exhibit, where it is proudly displayed.

[John Beasley, 11/08/2003]
Elberton Granite Museum, home of Dutchy

Elberton is the self proclaimed granite capital of the world, producing more granite monuments than any other city in the world. Among the implements for granite cutting and carving is "Dutchy."

Dutchy is the toppled remains of Elbertons first granite statue and the town's original Confederate memorial. Back in 1898 a local granite artisan created this statue and it was erected in the town square. The locals hated it, particularly surviving Confederates who felt it was not a proper depiction of a fighter of the Lost Cause. Dutchy was a squat figure, with a bedazzled look on his face. He had a large mustache that locals said made him look like a Dutchman, hence the name. In addition the artist had him in what looked like a yankee uniform!

One night the townsfolk toppled the statue to the ground. Dutch was buried in town square for several decades and a more proper memorial was erected. In the 1960s, Dutchy was dug up, hosed off at a car wash and put in storage. He is now on display in a room at the Granite Museum, lying face up on a gurney. His severed feet are nearby.

Just outside the Granite Museum is the Argo Spire, believed to be the tallest single piece of granite in the world at over 50 feet high.

[Tom Zarrilli, 08/18/2003]
World's Largest Solid Granite Spire

When visiting the Georgia Guidestones in Nuberg, don't miss nearby Elberton, Georgia, "The Granite Capital of the World." It is home to the World's Largest Solid Granite Spire, at the Granite Museum.

[Laura Floyd, 08/24/1999]

Nearby Offbeat Places

Old Dan Tucker's GraveOld Dan Tucker's Grave, Elberton, GA - 12 mi.
Center of the WorldCenter of the World, Hartwell, GA - 16 mi.
Roadside Grave of Old Fly, Beloved MuleRoadside Grave of Old Fly, Beloved Mule, Royston, GA - 17 mi.
In the region:
Ty Cobb Museum, Royston, GA - 18 mi.

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