Bonnell Harold Stone
1887 - 1935
Bonnell Harold Stone, born and raised in Oxford, was educated at Emory College and Franklin College (the founding college of the University of Georgia) where he majored in forestry. He then worked for the United States Forest Service until 1913. At that time, Bonnell left to take a job as forest ranger with the Phister and Vogel Land Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He managed thousands of acres of forest land in North Georgia, a position he held until 1931. He was instrumental in securing the donation of 800 acres of land that was to become Vogel State Park and Lake Trahlyta, one of Georgia’s most treasured state parks.
Stone founded the Union County Good Roads Association in 1915 and became its first president. In this capacity, Stone worked to get Highway 129 built, connecting Gainesville and Atlanta in the south to Blairsville and points northward. The highway opened in 1929 and became an agricultural market road that was unsurpassed in importance to commerce in the state of Georgia.
Stone founded the Union County Good Roads Association in 1915 and became its first president. In this capacity, Stone worked to get Highway 129 built, connecting Gainesville and Atlanta in the south to Blairsville and points northward. The highway opened in 1929 and became an agricultural market road that was unsurpassed in importance to commerce in the state of Georgia.
The Forestry Act of 1921 provided for a State Board of Forestry; its primary responsibility was to make recommendations to the Georgia State Assembly. Stone was one of the four original members of the Board. Stone also served as an officer in the Appalachian Scenic Highway Association and was a founding member of the Georgia Forestry Association. He was also president of the Southern Society of Forestry, and a member of the Appalachia Forestry Experiment. In addition, Stone was active on the National Council of Outdoor Recreation and in the National Conference of State Parks, and was elected to two terms in the Georgia State Legislature where he was instrumental in the first appropriation for the state forestry service.
Due to his unparalleled record of service, Bonnell Harold Stone became known as the “Father of Georgia Forestry.” Stone has been heralded as a visionary conservationist and is listed in Who’s Who in America and the Hall of Fame as one whose dedicated service benefited his own and future generations.
Stone returned to his hometown of Oxford when he retired in 1931 and moved into the Thomas-Stone House previously owned by his grandfather, G. W. W. Stone, Sr. His mother, Susie B. Stone, lived next door. Even in retirement, his service to his community continued. He served as mayor of Oxford in the early 1930s.
A monument was erected in his honor at Neel’s Gap in North Georgia in 1935.
Due to his unparalleled record of service, Bonnell Harold Stone became known as the “Father of Georgia Forestry.” Stone has been heralded as a visionary conservationist and is listed in Who’s Who in America and the Hall of Fame as one whose dedicated service benefited his own and future generations.
Stone returned to his hometown of Oxford when he retired in 1931 and moved into the Thomas-Stone House previously owned by his grandfather, G. W. W. Stone, Sr. His mother, Susie B. Stone, lived next door. Even in retirement, his service to his community continued. He served as mayor of Oxford in the early 1930s.
A monument was erected in his honor at Neel’s Gap in North Georgia in 1935.