Sumter County, located in west-central Georgia, convenient to I-75, three hours south of Atlanta and only two hours north of I-10, an ideal stopping point when en route to Florida, is made up of a number of unique small towns, but Americus is the largest. Here, you’ll find a historic (and maybe haunted!) hotel, independently owned shops and restaurants, and unique attractions. But the towns of Andersonville, Plains, and Leslie are also worth a detour!
1. Rylander Theatre– Named for a local businessman, the Rylander Theatre operated as a vaudeville theater. It closed in 1951 but reopened in 1999 with an original light fixture in the lobby, Art Deco-inspired paintings, and replica seats.
2. The Windsor Hotel– Unlike any other structure around, the Windsor’s iconic tower holds its two suites: the Bridal Suite, where Al Capone is rumored to have stayed, and the Carter Presidential Suite. There are also rumors of ghost sightings.
3. Downtown Americus– Visitors will be surprised to find a thriving downtown. Start at the visitor’s center, which has a small museum about the county before browsing the downtown shops.
4. Plains– Most associated with its famous resident, President Jimmy Carter, you’ll find his presence all over town. The first stop should be Jimmy Carter National Historic Site, located at his former high school. From there, check out his Boyhood Farm and the museum within his former campaign headquarters.
5. Andersonville– Camp Sumter was a Civil War prison camp where 45,000 Union soldiers were held. Nearly 13,000 would die in deplorable conditions. Today, the national historic site is a reminder of the devastating conflict and a final resting place for these men and future generations of veterans. The National Prisoner of War Museum tells the stories of the prisoners at Andersonville and throughout American history.
6. Leslie– The small town of Leslie is home to the Georgia Rural Telephone Museum, the world’s largest collection of telephones and telephone memorabilia. It’s housed in a 1920s cotton warehouse and the items on display date back to as far as 1876.