Towering in a field on the edge of Elberton, stands the Georgia Guidestones.
The strange monument, called the Stonehenge of the South, was placed at the highest point of the county in 1980 by a mysterious man who went by the pseudonym R.C. Christian.
It’s been almost 35 years since the installment of the stones, and since then, many ideas have surfaced about their true purpose. Some argue the engravings on the slabs are preparing for a potential new world order, or are instructions for a cult, or a message left behind by aliens, or just a monument dedicated to Freemasons. The message of the stones and other questions surrounding the monument has become a hot topic for conspiracy theories.
The monument was notably vandalized in 2008 with red polyurethane paint and again in 2012 with black polyurethane paint and again in September of 2014 with a permanent marker that scrawled ISIS-related threats. Of course, there were plenty other times people couldn’t keep their hands to themselves, but the graffiti that was scribbled in September came across my desk on a news wire. My interest was piqued and that was it, I decided to take a little trip before anyone else got to it. The vandalism was almost entirely scrubbed clean when my parents and I arrived on a sunny Saturday in October.
It truly was in the middle of seemingly nowhere. Four granite slabs, built in a paddlewheel formation with a center slab and a capstone, almost like a hat. They are inscribed with ten commandments – not to be confused with The Ten Commandments – in several languages: English, Spanish, Swahili, Hindi, Hebrew, Arabic, Chinese and Russian. The read as follows:
“Maintain humanity under 500,000,000 in perpetual balance with nature.
Guide reproduction wisely – improving fitness and diversity.
Unite humanity with a living new language.
Rule passion – faith – tradition – and all things with tempered reason.
Protect people and nations with fair laws and just courts.
Let all nations rule internally resolving external disputes in a world court.
Avoid petty laws and useless officials. Balance personal rights with social duties.
Prize truth – beauty – love – seeking harmony with the infinite.
Be not a cancer on the earth – Leave room for nature – Leave room for nature.”
Personally, the last one spoke to me, just a little. Leave room for nature. It made me look up and out and notice the rolling hills, freshly mown farm plots and sunny, blue skies that stood just past the granite monument that drew some much attention.
Unlike most roadside oddities, there was no ticket booth, no locals, no one there to speak to curious visitors or tell the story. The Guidestones stood alone as cars full of strangers drove up to gawk and take photos. A surveillance camera was mounted on a pole, as well as a streetlight. There were a few informational pieces, both on granite, but they told no more than the story I had already heard.
In 1979, the stranger R.C. Christian and group of “loyal Americans” called “The Guidestones Group” commissioned the monument in Elbert County, the granite capital of the world, and wished to remain forever anonymous. The slabs were built out of Pyramid Blue Granite, placed in a field on the farm of Mildred and Wayne Mullinex and were dedicated on March 22, 1980.
So why place it in Elbert County? The informational slab off to the left reveals that Mr. Christian’s great-grandmother was “a native Georgian.” The slab also points out that the monument is at the highest point in Elbert County. It goes into specifics as well, such as the weight and height of the monument.
The slab to the right indicated the cardinal direction of the west featured, most notably, information about a time capsule that was allegedly buried under the slab. Interestingly, the slab does not indicate when the time capsule should be opened – it leaves the “buried on” and “to be opened on” dates unfinished. Some, including local banker Wyatt Martin, who assisted Mr. Christian with the finances of the project, say the time capsule was never, or has not yet been, buried.
Also on the western slab, a description of the stones, a brief history, astronomical features and the unusual “Let these be guidestones to an age of reason.”
The son of a man who helped build the stones, Mart Clamp, has told anyone who asks him about the stones, including the media, that he will take the secrets to his grave, but does divulge that the man he knows as R.C. Christian has long since passed away. Rumor is, Clamp keeps an eye on the Guidestones while most visitors come and go.
Clamp, when approached by media and passers-by, maintains that the men who worked on the Guidestones are good men, including his father.
Martin, the banker, has said in other interviews that he is the only one who knows R.C. Christian’s true identity, something he refuses to reveal, as he made a promise to keep the anonymity of the group. Martin is in his 80’s now and is reportedly no longer interested in interviews.
Aside from the true identity of Mr. Christian, who was in his group of loyal Americans that formed the Guidestones Group? Is there really a time capsule, and when is it supposed to be opened? Does the monument really indicate a new world order, or does it hope that we will pay closer attention to the way we behave and interact with others? What was the goal behind this whole thing?
Perhaps we’ll find out one day. Until then, I won’t ruin the adventure for you – go and see the “Stonehenge of the South” for yourself. Head towards Hartwell and give yourself an hour and half to get there from Gainesville – it’s a little tedious but the drive is pleasant and the lack of admission fee will make up for however much gas you burn to get there. Pick a beautiful day, bring your camera and take all of the theories with a grain of salt.
Our world is full of unusual things. Read about my next adventure next week. I'll be heading to Poultry Park in Gainesville, a symbol of Georgia's poultry industry. Most importantly, it's a chicken, standing high in the sky on what is essentially an obelisk, overlooking the Queen City each day and night.
Until then, stay curious.
This feature article scratches the surface of the Georgia Guidestones, however, the true meaning behind them is up to you. The comments made in this feature article, by myself and by those who have been mentioned, do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Jacobs Media Corporation. Read, enjoy and explore at your own risk.
