Year Erected: 1953

Marker Text: “St. Elmo,” one of the most exquisite examples of the classic houses of America, stands in view of this point. It was built on the old Stagecoach Road, by Colonel Seaborn Jones, for his wife, Mary Howard Jones. Completed in 1833, it was originally called “Eldorado.” Here, Augusta Jane Evans visited her Aunt and found inspiration for her celebrated novel, “St. Elmo.”

As a member of Governor Troup’s staff, Seaborn Jones came to the site of Columbus with LaFayette in 1825. Lawyer, planter, solicitor-general of the Ocmulgee Circuit, (1817-1818), he was a member of Congress in 1835-45-47. President James K. Polk, President Millard Fillmore, Henry Clay, and General Winfield Scott were distinguished visitors entertained in this house by Colonel Jones.

In 1878, the place became the home of Captain and Mrs. James J. Slade, and the name changed to St. Elmo. Captain Slade once conducted a girls’ school here.