G-P Honored with Historical Marker by Georgia Historical Society

The Georgia Historical Society (GHS) this past Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017, recognized Georgia-Pacific with a historical marker as the latest honoree of the Georgia Business History Initiative. Each year, the GHS initiative recognizes iconic companies that have had an impact on the economic, cultural, and social development of Georgia and the U.S.

The historical marker was unveiled on Tuesday at a ceremony outside of the Georgia-Pacific Center, the company's downtown Atlanta headquarters location for the last 35 years, and four days after the company turned 90.

"We're honored and humbled to be recognized by the Georgia Historical Society with this marker – it's a significant gesture to share in the history of this great state," said Christian Fischer, president and CEO of Georgia-Pacific. "Today we celebrate the culmination of hard work and resilience of thousands of employees over nearly a century."

Community members and employees attended the dedication. In the photo above (l-r) are Past Chairman and CEO A.D. "Pete" Correll, immediate Past President and CEO Jim Hannan, and Fischer.

The historical marker tells the story of a company's contribution to the development of the state and nation, and is erected at a site of historical significance to the company.

"The story of Georgia's iconic companies has enriched the lives of every single resident and visitor to our state," said Dr. W. Todd Groce, president and CEO of the Georgia Historical Society. "What started as a lumber company in Augusta 90 years ago has grown to become one of the world's leading manufacturers of paper and other wood-based products. We are pleased to add Georgia-Pacific to the Georgia Business History Initiative so that future generations will continue to be inspired by their legacy."

Owen R. Cheatham founded the Georgia Hardwood Lumber Co. in Augusta, Ga., in 1927. By 1938, the company operated five lumberyards in the South. To broaden its product line, the company purchased its first Pacific Coast facility—a plywood plant—in 1947. In 1948, the company was renamed Georgia-Pacific Plywood and Lumber Co. and was listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1949. Its first operation outside of North America began in the Philippines in 1963. Georgia-Pacific Center, the company's corporate headquarters, was built in 1982 on the site of Loew's Grand Theatre, where Gone with the Wind premiered in 1939. At its 90th anniversary in 2017, Georgia-Pacific was one of the world's leading manufacturers of consumer products, building products, packaging, and pulp, with tens of thousands of employees across the globe, including 7,500 in Georgia.