Plains, Georgia

History

Originally inhabited by the Muscogee people, three small settlements existed close to what would become Plains by the 1840s: Lebanon, Magnolia Springs, and Plains of Dura. In 1885, a significant turning point occurred when a major east–west railroad extended into the area and led to the three settlements being consolidated into one. As railway access expanded into the region in response to increased cotton farming, these settlements coalesced closer to the new railway location. As businesses rapidly developed, local businessmen successfully petitioned the Georgia State Legislature to shorten "Plains of Dura" to simply "Plains." The city was incorporated in 1896.

Plains continued to experience growth fueled by cotton cultivation into the early 20th century. A substantial school and the pioneering Wise Sanitarium were both built in the 1920s. Despite branching into peanut cultivation, the city’s prosperity mostly eroded during the Great Depression and its once vital train depot permanently ceased passenger operations in 1951.

The city remained a small and quiet one until the unexpected political ascent of Plains native Jimmy Carter. In 1971, he became Georgia's governor. In 1976, although mostly unknown outside of Georgia, he ran as a dark horse candidate for President of the United States, winning that election and served one term as president from 1977 to 1981.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.8 sqmi, all land. The city's boundary is in the shape of a circle. It is located in west-south-western Georgia, 120 mi due south of Atlanta.

Climate

This area climate is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Plains has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. Retrieved on October 16, 2013.

Demographics

1850-1870 1870-1880 1890-1910 1920-1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 Plains is part of the Americus Micropolitan Statistical Area.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.6% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 16.5% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 30.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 69.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 58.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,719, and the median income for a family was $29,375. Males had a median income of $24,375 versus $16,406 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,602. About 22.2% of families and 25.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 47.2% of those under age 18 and 17.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The city is located in the Sumter County School District.

Points of interest

Many of the town's attractions are centered around Jimmy Carter, including the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park. Carter's high school, birthplace, campaign headquarters, former site of family business, his brother Billy's service station, and his burial site are all within a close vicinity of one another in the center of town. The iconic Smiling Peanut Statue, a gift to Carter from supporters in Evansville, Indiana, lies on the outskirts of town. His boyhood home is in the nearby unincorporated community of Archery.

Andersonville National Historic Site and the National Prisoner of War Museum are located in the vicinity of Plains. Georgia Southwestern State University is located in the nearby town of Americus.

Notable residents

President Jimmy Carter was born in Plains at the Wise Sanitarium, now renamed the Lillian G. Carter Nursing Center in honor of his mother. His wife Rosalynn and their daughter and youngest child Amy were also born in Plains, as were his younger brother Billy, younger sister Gloria, youngest sister Ruth, and cousin Hugh. When he left office in 1981, Carter and his wife returned to live in the home in Plains they have occupied since 1961, where they both died. Rosalynn Carter died on November 19, 2023, and President Carter died on December 29, 2024. Both are interred on the grounds of their home, which is part of the Jimmy Carter National Historic Park.

Gallery

File:Welcome to Plains Home of the 39th President.png|The Plains welcome sign, featuring the Seal of the president of the United States File:Plains, Georgia water tower.png|The Plains water tower File:17 02 044 carter.jpg|Carter's High School, now a visitor center and museum File:Giant sized smiling peanut, looking north - Smiling Peanut, South Side of Highway 49, Plains, Sumter County, GA HABS GA,131-PLAIN.V,2-1 (CT).tif|Jimmy Carter Peanut Statue File:CarterHQ.jpg|Carter campaign headquarters (2008) File:JimmyCarteronBicycle.jpg|Jimmy Carter cycling in Plains (2008) File:Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter gravesite.jpg|Burial site of Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter

References

References

1. "Official Page of the City of Plains, Georgia". Official Page of the City of Plains, Georgia.
2. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
3. {{cite gnis2. 356474. Plains, Georgia
4. "Official Page of the City of Plains ::".
5. "Plains Historic District - Jimmy Carter National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)".
6. "Plains Historic District". National Park Service.
7. "Plains".
8. During the [[1976 United States presidential election. 1976 presidential election]] and for many years afterwards, the city saw a giant influx in tourism due to Carter's name, with nearly 10,000 people (around 18 times the population of Plains) pouring into the community daily.Buccellato, Robert (2016). ''Jimmy Carter in Plains: The Presidential Hometown''. Charleston, S.C.: Arcadia Publishing. {{ISBN. 978-1467115414.
9. "Map of Plains, Georgia".
10. (May 2014). "Enigma, Georgia: Mystery of the South's Circular Towns".
11. "Plains, Georgia Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)".
12. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decade". [[US Census Bureau]].
13. (1870). "1870 Census of Population - Georgia - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties".
14. (1880). "1880 Census of Population - Georgia - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties".
15. (1930). "1910 Census of Population - Georgia".
16. (1930). "1930 Census of Population - Georgia".
17. (1940). "1940 Census of Population - Georgia".
18. (1980). "1950 Census of Population - Georgia".
19. (1960). "1960 Census of Population - Population of County Subdivisions - Georgia".
20. (1970). "1970 Census of Population - Population of County Subdivisions - Georgia".
21. (1980). "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia".
22. (1990). "1990 Census of Population - Summary Social, Economic, and Housing Characteristics - Georgia".
23. (2000). "2000 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Georgia".
24. "P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Plains city, Georgia".
25. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Plains city, Georgia".
26. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Plains city, Georgia".
27. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
28. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Sumter County, GA". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].