Monday Mystery: What was behind the creation of the Georgia Guidestones?

The Georgia Guidestones, for 40 years a curious tourist attraction 80 miles north of Augusta, have become a political issue.

The Wall Street Journal pointed out last week that Republican candidate for governor Kandiss Taylor vows to demolish the large granite monument in Elbert County if she gains office. She is on Tuesday's GOP ballot and on her website, she calls the Guidestones "Satanic."

Most people don't think so, perhaps because they resemble enormous sample displays from a granite company showroom. They do, however, have a mystery about them, as The Chronicle archives have reported over the years.

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The stories go back to 1979 when a stranger using the admitted pseudonym "R.C. Christian" walked into Elberton Granite Finishing Co. and gave Joe Fendley a rather large project.

The only description we have of the mystery man is that he was tall. He said he represented a group "of loyal Americans" and they wanted to erect a very specific monument. He insisted they remain anonymous and he paid with cash.

The Granite City Bank and its president Wyatt Martin arranged for Elbert County to purchase a small site on a farm off Georgia Highway 77 between Elberton and Hartwell. It's one of the highest points in the area.

On March 22, 1980 – a Saturday – the Guidestones were officially dedicated. What was revealed were six astronomically aligned slabs of granite rising 19 feet, 3 inches. Like England's famous Stonehenge, it is lined up with the sun as a seasonal calendar. On its faces were carved – in eight separate languages – advice to guide humanity into an "Age of Reason."

They are:

"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."

Then there is the guideline that seems the most controversial, which had been placed at the top of the list.

"Maintain humanity under 500,000,000 in perpetual balance with nature."

In today's planet with 7.7 billion people, that would mean about 7 billion of us would either have to go, or not be around.

There has been speculation over the years that the Guidestones might be intended for a bleak world of the future that has lost much of its population through natural or man-made disasters.

Although there is security for the site, the Guidestones have attracted vandals. Someone spray-painted "Death to the new world order" in 2008. In 2014, someone painted: ""I Am Isis, goddess of love."

Still, after 40 years no one knows who paid for the monument or what motivated its construction.

Perhaps, one day we will.

Next to the monument is an engraved explanatory tablet that gives details on its size and dimensions. At the end it says a time capsule was buried 6 feet beneath it "to be opened on."

But that date is blank.

Bill Kirby has reported, photographed and commented on life in Augusta and Georgia for 45 years.