Robert Wilton Burton

Robert Wilton Burton (HM1EWX)

Location: Auburn, AL 36830 Lee County
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Country: United States of America
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N 32° 36.403', W 85° 28.645'

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Inscription

1848-1917

(Side 1)
Near this site once stood "Four-Story Cottage," the home of Robert Wilton Burton. A one-story house with wide porch and bay window, Burton built it in 1885 with proceeds from the sale of four stories to children's magazines. Born in Camden County, Georgia, Burton grew up in Lafayette, Alabama, where he began writing stories for the newspaper, on various subjects. In the early 1870's, with his brother, he opened a bookstore in Opelika, Alabama. In 1878, at the request of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama, Burton opened the first bookstore in Auburn. It was soon known as the "Coffee House of the College City."

(Side 2)
Burton wrote numerous local color stories for national magazines and newspapers. Many of his best tales, in Negro dialect, feature "Marengo Jake" Mitchell, a former slave in Auburn known for his tall tales. In 1991, these stories were published as De Remnant Truth. An active Presbyterian, Burton also served as Secretary of the Town Board of Education, County School Superintendent, Clerk of the Town Council, and Secretary to the College Board of Trustees. His bookstore was sold in 1968; his home dismantled in 1993.
Details
HM NumberHM1EWX
Tags
, ,
Year Placed1999
Placed ByThe Auburn Heritage Association and Historic Chattahoochee Commission
Marker ConditionNo reports yet
Date Added Monday, September 29th, 2014 at 5:52am PDT -07:00
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Locationbig map
UTM (WGS84 Datum)16S E 642868 N 3608711
Decimal Degrees32.60671667, -85.47741667
Degrees and Decimal MinutesN 32° 36.403', W 85° 28.645'
Degrees, Minutes and Seconds32° 36' 24.18" N, 85° 28' 38.70" W
Driving DirectionsGoogle Maps
Area Code(s)334
Closest Postal AddressAt or near 301-315 E Magnolia Ave, Auburn AL 36830, US
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