A Chronology of
Americus and Sumter County, Georgia
1962 - 2006
Alan Anderson, compiler
June 1962 Forsyth's old viaduct made one-way west, Lamar's new viaduct one-way east July 1962 Dr. Josephine Jordan Buchanan, Americus native, named "Physician of the Year for 1961" by President Kenne- dy's Committee on Employment of the Physically Handi- capped Aug. 1962 radio station WISK began broadcasting at noon Aug. 28 Oct. 1962 Auburn University acquired 30,000-volume library of the late J.E.D. Shipp, of Americus Nov. 1962 AHS Panthers won Class A State Championship, defeat- ing Carrollton Trojans 14-6, Jimmy Hightower, coach Feb. 1963 "T-R" publisher James R. Blair attended White House luncheon with President John F. Kennedy Apr. 1963 Paul Anderson, the "World's Strongest Man," gave a talk to Americus Kiwanis Club; Pres. Eisenhower's H.E.W. secretary, Marion B. Folsom, and wife, visited her sisters in Americus, Mrs. Lee Hudson and Mrs. Sam Leonard June 1963 cornerstone ceremony for new sanctuary of Spring Creek Baptist Church (northeast corner Spring Creek Church Rd. and Lamar, or Lower River, Rd.) July 1963 eleven blacks (Carol Barner, Annie Lou Ragans, Sandra Russell, Willie Mae Smith, Gloria Westbrooks, James A. Westbrooks, LuLu Westbrooks, et. al.) made first in- tegration attempt of public facilities at Martin The- ater, with follow-up boycott, the Sumter Movement Aug. 1963 about 250 blacks arrested during civil rights demon- strations headquartered at Allen Chapel A.M.E. Sept. 1963 destruction begun of most historic residence in Amer- icus, the W.A. Hawkins-Howell Cobb-S.H. Hawkins-W.S. Prather home, Federal headquarters during Reconstruc- tion (northeast corner, College and Lee); dedication of St. Martin de Porres Catholic Chapel, for blacks, Benjamin Ritzert, of Savannah, architect, Paul Bush, builder (southeast corner Maxwell and Vista), replac- ing St. Jerome's, a victim of urban renewal Oct. 1963 Lambda Enterprises organized by James Paschal, Albert Battle, Lewis Lowe, Otis Carter, Daniel DeLoatch, R.L. Freeman and Beatrice DeLoatch, a black chartered industrial development corporation, possibly the first in Georgia Nov. 1963 federal district court panel meeting in Americus de- clared unconstitutional arrest of civil rights demon- strators on insurrection and unlawful assembly char- ges (Solicitor Gen. Stephen Pace, Jr. dropped remain- ing cases Dec. 1964) Dec. 1963 official opening of Magnolia Manor, Gov. Carl Sanders keynote speaker (west side S. Lee St. Road at city limits); West Central Georgia Area Planning and Dev- elopment Commission (now Middle Flint APDC) formally organized, Jimmy Carter first chairman Jan. 1964 fire destroyed Americus High School; dedication of new Assembly of God sanctuary, Rev. Leroy Sanders, pastor (east side Tripp south of Furlow) Mar. 1964 Board of Regents approved Georgia Southwestern Col- lege becoming a four-year, degree-granting institu- tion May 1964 Alabama Gov. George C. Wallace, presidential candi- date, spoke at Americus Country Club July 1964 Georgia Court of Appeals overturned convictions of civil rights demonstrators since blacks were system- atically excluded from the jury pool; fifteen white teenagers sentenced in Recorder's Court for terroriz- ing Northside public housing project Aug. 1964 South Georgia Methodist Nursing Center opened at Mag- nolia Manor; Americus High School racially integrated for the first time ever in its 84-year history, with four black students, David Bell, Jr., Robertiena Freeman, Dobbs Wiggins and Minnie Wise Sept. 1964 Cherokee Elementary School opened, Don Hagler, prin- cipal (east side Cherokee south of Hanson); Sumter Players organized, Dr. T. Schley Gatewood, president, Mrs. James H. Hawkins, vice-president, Miss Laurie Hargrove, secretary, Arthur Cheokas, treasurer, with name chosen by Mrs. Richard A. Snyder in a contest Oct. 1964 Sam M. Weston, Cotton Ave. tailor, first black to run for public office in history of Sumter County, in Democratic primary for Americus city council; U.S. Agriculture Secretary Orville Freeman spoke at Demo- cratic rally at the ballpark; Bobby Hooks, Americus native, named to Georgia Athletic Hall of Fame Nov. 1964 Mrs. Janet S. Merritt elected state representative, the first woman in history from Sumter County Dec. 1964 organization of Morningside Methodist Church, Homer Grimes, pastor (formalized Sept. 1965) Feb. 1965 dedication of new Cheek Memorial Baptist Church sanc- tuary, Rev. James E. Keen, pastor (intersection Ga. 49 and Middle River Rd.); Americus Merchants Associ- ation organized, Emory Parker, president, Elsom Sum- ner, vice-president, Fred Frick, secretary-treasurer Mar. 1965 "Sumter Players" incorporated, T. Schley Gatewood, Mary Ellen Hawkins, Arthur A. Cheokas, petitioners June 1965 announcement of $178,000 donation to Andersonville Methodist Church by New Jersey resident, Robert B. Brown, who had been impressed by the congregation's welcome during a one-time visit years earlier July 1965 Mary Kate Fish Bell, Mamie Campbell, Lena Turner and Gloria Wise freed from jail by federal judge after having been arrested for integrating a voting line; Andy Whatley, white, murdered by Charlie Lee Hopkins the shooter, with Willie James Lamar, both black, in drive-by shooting during counter demonstrations at and near by the courthouse Aug. 1965 leaders of First Baptist (H.K. Henderson, et.al.) and First United Methodist (W.D. White, et.al.) prevented entry into their respective churches by civil rights demonstrators (including now U.S. Con- gressman John Lewis); comedian and civil rights ac- tivist Dick Gregory led voter registration drive at courthouse; 600 Ku Klux Klanspeople marched through downtown Americus, led by Lester Maddux; more black demonstrators arrested during marches; 500 attended Ku Klux Klan rally at fairgrounds Sept. 1965 Americus police chief Ross M. Chambliss hired the department's first-ever black officers, J.W. "Sport" Jones and Henry L. "Spann" Williams; prominent attor- ney Warren Fortson and family left Americus after harassment for advocating biracial talks Oct. 1965 local civil rights demonstrators arrested for boy- cotting segregated A.S. Staley High School; Dr. Lloyd A. Moll, former GSW president, and family left Ameri- cus after harassment for advocating racial concilia- tion Nov. 1965 Paul Anderson, "The World's Strongest Man," spoke at Lee Street Methodist Church; U.S. District Court Judge J. Robert Elliott overruled civil rights dem- onstrators' suit against Americus and Sumter County law enforcement officials; former Gov. Ernest Vandiver spoke at Americus Rotary Club Dec. 1965 AHS Panthers won state Class A football championship defeating Commerce Tigers 14-0, Jimmy Hightower, coach Feb. 1966 Robert Penn Warren, Pulitzer Prize winning poet and novelist, spoke at GSW; U.S. District Court Judge W.A. Bootle ruled valid J.W. Southwell's J.P. elec- tion; Specialist Fourth Class Sheppard Robinson, Jr., black, age 25, first Sumter Countian killed in Viet- nam War Mar. 1966 Charlie Lee Hopkins sentenced to life imprisonment in Andy Whatley murder case; Willie James Lamar pled guilty and sentenced to five years; State Sen. Jimmy Carter announced for Bo Callaway's congressional seat; AHS Pantherettes won State Class A basketball championship, defeating Cochran 62-56, Melvin Kinslow, coach (first girls team in AHS history to do so) Apr. 1966 Matthew Kennedy, Americus native, directed Fisk Sing- ers in ABC's DuPont show, "This Proud Land"; Joanna Moore appeared at Miss Americus pageant May 1966 KKK rally at courthouse attended by 400 June 1966 Southland Academy chartered by Troy E. Morris, Dr. Harvey L. Simpson, Jr., W. Tinley Anderson, Jr. and Henry L. Crisp, for whites only; Ms. Teresa Mansfield of Americus, became the first black student enrolled at Georgia Southwestern College in its 59-year his- tory; State Sen. Jimmy Carter announced for Democra- tic gubernatorial nomination, abandoning congression- al race; AHS Panthers won third straight State Class A baseball championship, defeating N. Cobb 6-0, Mel- vin Kinslow, coach; Sumter County's first Headstart Program begun, Willie Pearl Fuse, director Aug. 1966 Capt. May Jennings O'Hara, of Americus, dietician to NASA's astronauts, on CBS' "To Tell the Truth" Oct. 1966 Americus High School opened in its third building, on the site of its earlier destruction Nov. 1966 Roy Orbison played at AHS gym in Americus Jaycees concert Dec. 1966 state revenue commissioner Hiram K. Undercofler, of Americus, sworn in as associate justice of Georgia Supreme Court; Mrs. Betty Anderson, of Vienna Rd., first woman to serve on Sumter Superior Court jury Jan. 1967 Americus native John H. Gray, Shelton, Wash. post- master, presented tree grown from original Washington Elm, under which George Washington, in 1775, took command of Continental Army in Cambridge, Mass., for planting on Sumter County courthouse lawn Mar. 1967 Union High Yellow Jackets won State Class C basket- ball championship, defeating Greenville 58-48, Ben Strickland, coach Apr. 1967 U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals threw out J.W. Southwell's election as 789th G.M.D. Justice of the Peace in July 1965 and ordered a new one (J.W. South- well defeated Mary F. Bell 2,184 to 538 in rematch June 1967) May 1967 Gov. Lester Maddox spoke at dedication ceremonies for several new GSW buildings Sept. 1967 A.S. Staley reopened as high school after ten years as a junior high, Daniel L. DeLoatch, principal; Southland Academy opened in former Anthony High School (northwest corner Anthony and Edgewood), Mur- phy McManus, headmaster; "T-R" began weekly "NEWS OF LOCAL NEGRO COMMUNITY" column, Mrs. Ann Witcher, edi- tor (discontinued May 1971); Americus chapter, Alco- holics Anonymous organized at Calvary Episcopal Church Oct. 1967 Americus Christian Church held its initial service at old New Point Church on Plains Rd., Rev. Scott Calla- han, pastor Dec. 1967 dedication of St. John's Masonic Lodge No. 17 (west side Bumphead between Gordon and Sunset Park) Mar. 1968 Americus City Council's proposed removal of graves at pioneer cemetery (northeast corner Forsyth and Prince) to Oak Grove and replacement with new city hall, provoked firestorm of criticism and culminated in Federated Garden Club's establishment of Founders' Memorial Park Apr. 1968 Thomas Blount and Eddie J. McGrady became first blacks appointed to Americus City School Board in its 95-year history Sept 1968 Trinity Baptist Church organized, Rev. Woodrow C. Da- vis, pastor (north side Felder between Furlow and Varsity) Dec. 1968 Georgia Southwestern accredited as four-year college, Dr. William B. King, president; Kappa Sigma first national fraternity at GSW; Leslie's Union High School first in Georgia to give driver education to special education students Jan. 1969 radio commentator Paul Harvey gave speech at Chamber of Commerce dinner; O.A. Williams, Jr., chairman, Ross Parker, James T. West, Jr., Dr. T. Schley Gate- wood, Doug Carreker, Mrs. William Harper became first elected Sumter County School Board Feb. 1969 fire destroyed antebellum Dr. R.C. Black home in Brooklyn Heights (southwest corner McGarrah and Park Row) Apr. 1969 formal dedication of Seventh Day Adventist Church sanctuary, Rev. Bill Guth, pastor (northeast corner S. Lee St. Rd. and Murphy's Mill Rd.); Four Seasons gave concert at GSW May 1969 Pi Kappa Phi fraternity chartered at GSW June 1969 AHS Panthers won Class A state baseball championship, Loveard McMichael, coach, Melvin Kinslow, head coach, defeating Toccoa Purple Hurricanes 4-0; RA5C Vigilante reconnaissance plane from Albany's Naval Air Station crashed 2 1/2 miles west of Leslie at Hwy. 118 (both pilots safely ejected) Aug. 1969 dedication ceremony of Americus Holiness Deliverance Gospel Tent, Rev. Aaron Snipes, Sr., pastor; inter- racial Koinonia group refused entry at First United Methodist Church, with Rev. W.R. Key publicly expres- sing regret; Americus City School Board named new elementary school for Miss Sarah Pope Cobb, longtime principal at Furlow Grammar School Oct. 1969 Federal Building formally dedicated (northwest corner Forsyth and Prince), having opened June 16th Dec. 1969 fire and explosions destroyed 1938 Community Center Jan. 1970 CBS newsman Roger Mudd spoke at GSW lyceum Apr. 1970 registration and construction begun for Brooklyn Heights Christian Elementary School, Miss Earline Buchanan, principal (southeast corner Armory and Mary) June 1970 AHS Panthers won Class A state baseball championship, with a 22-0 season record, Loveard McMichael, coach, defeating Monroe Area High School Purple Hurricanes 6-3 Aug. 1970 fire destroyed auditorium of A.S. Staley Junior High School (now A.S. Staley Middle School) Nov. 1970 Plains' native son, Jimmy Carter, first Sumter Coun- tian elected Governor of Georgia Dec. 1970 groundbreaking ceremony for Eastview Apartments, John W. Sandeford, of Augusta, architect, Warren Scott, contractor; tornado struck just north of Sumter City, destroying six tenement houses but no fatalities; GSW chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity formally installed; Lee Street United Methodist Church first-ever to join the Chamber of Commerce Jan. 1971 Jimmy Carter sworn in as Georgia's 76th governor; Gov. Jimmy Carter formally dedicated Lt. Col. T.C. Tillman, Jr. National Guard Armory (northwest corner Adderton and Armory) Feb. 1971 Marshall Frady's "Look Magazine" article, "Discover- ing One Another In a Georgia Town," depicted rela- tively successful school integration, but unflatter- ing description of Americus upset many Mar. 1971 first-ever local telecast on cable television channel; Gov. Jimmy Carter formally dedicated new auditorium for Southwest Georgia Experiment Station near Plains Apr. 1971 tornado destroyed Carl Veatch home, eight miles east of Americus, but entire family spared May 1971 Americus' last scheduled passenger train, the "City of Miami," pulled out, ending an era begun in 1854; half of Sumter County's students boycotted attendance protesting private school advocates on school board; Calvary Baptist Church of Leslie formally constituted July 1971 Andersonville National Cemetery, under U.S. Army, be- came Andersonville National Historic Site, under U.S. Interior Department; Paul Anderson, "World's Strong- est Man," spoke at Leslie United Methodist Church youth revival; Americus Mayor J. Frank Myers appoint- ed Human Relations Committee with John Davis, B.R.B. Davis, Mrs. Russell Thomas, Jr., Homer T. Warren, Tommy Hooks III*, Mrs. Langdon Sheffield, white, and Mrs. Lucile Tyson, Mrs. Thelma Barnum, James Bryant, Rev. E.D. Sims, John Harris, Arthur Pless, black (*immediately resigned due to unforseen business de- velopments) Aug. 1971 Mr. and Mrs. Dave Farris bought first home in new Brookdale subdivision, J.W.C. Horne, Jr., developer; first junior high special education class started at A.S. Staley Jan. 1972 fire destroyed remaining portion of 1937 A.S. Staley High School building Mar. 1972 major controversy erupted over firing of county school superintendent Joe Wilson, with student walk- outs and demonstrations; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority chapter organized at GSW, Mrs. Willie Pearl Fuse, advisor Apr. 1972 Gov. Jimmy Carter joined 40 Sumter County litigants in federal court to recall school board members May 1972 groundbreaking ceremony for Africana Village subdivi- sion in Plains; Sumter County Historical Society org- anized, Dr. Gatewood Dudley, chmn., Mrs. Robert Hod- ges, vice chmn., Lanier Oxford, secretary, Charles Crisp, treasurer; grandopening of Barnum Heights sub- division, L.C. Hicks, developer June 1972 dedication of Americus Institute historic marker at A.S. Staley; Federal Judge J. Robert Elliott dismis- sed suit re county school board (appeal followed in July but ultimately dismissed by Judge Wilbur D. Owens May 1974) July 1972 Kingstowne Apts. under construction; Janis Beverly, of Americus, won women's barebow National Field Ar- chery championship (also 1973 and 1974) Aug. 1972 Willie L. Paschal became first black principal of a formerly all-white school in Americus, Furlow Gram- mar Oct. 1972 W.T. Anderson Gym at South Georgia Tech totally de- stroyed by fire Nov. 1972 groundbreaking ceremony for Souther Field Rd. indus- trial tract; school consolidation constitutional amendment defeated by city and county voters Dec. 1972 Henry Jackson first black ever elected to Plains city council in its 86-year history Feb. 1973 demolition of Mitchell Hotel and Central of Georgia passenger depot Mar. 1973 Air South, Inc. began regularly scheduled Americus- Atlanta flights (discontinued June 1974) Apr. 1973 Americus Utility Comm. installed Victorian-style gas lamps on S. Lee St. bridge; Paul Anderson, "World's Strongest Man," spoke at Americus Rotary Club; Ladies Auxiliary, Southwestern Circuit Bar Assn., installed Victorian courthouse bell on present courthouse lawn; voters approved popular election of county school board, first time ever in its 101-year history May 1973 Fellowship Baptist Church constituted, Dr. Joe Holli- day, pastor (north side Tommy Hooks Rd. east of S. Lee St. Road); United Holiness Church chartered, Rev. Aaron Snipes, Sr., pastor Oct. 1973 Terrell Hall, last original GSW structure, razed for parking lot; Dr. Lewis Larson, West Georgia College anthropologist, excavated original stockade line at Andersonville, John Jensen, superintendent; actor Jimmy Stewart and wife ate at Carter's Fried Chicken on Tripp enroute to Sea Island golf course Feb. 1974 Dr. Norman Vincent Peale featured speaker at Chamber of Commerce dinner Mar. 1974 rash of nude streakers at GSW, including one on motor- cycle Apr. 1974 Tatum O'Neal, daughter of Americus native Joanna Cook Moore, won best supporting actress Oscar for "Paper Moon" May 1974 State Rep. Julian Bond spoke at GSW June 1974 Americus' first condominiums sold, Country Club Es- tates, Paul Bush, developer July 1974 train depot moved from Mauk, Ga. to Andersonville Aug. 1974 Windsor Hotel closed after 82 years of operation; Americus Housing Authority named "Leila Barlow Apart- ments" across from Staley Sept 1974 Thomas O. Marshall, Jr., of Americus, elected to Georgia State Court of Appeals Oct. 1974 Jaqueline "Jackie" Miller first woman to ever run for Americus city council in its 118-year history Dec. 1974 Gov. Jimmy Carter formally entered presidential race; AHS Panthers won Class AA state championship, defeat- ing West Rome 6-3, Alton Shell, coach Jan. 1975 Inspirational Church by Faith founded, Elder John T. Taylor, pastor (south side Adderton between Lafay- ette and Magnolia); Wesley and Angie Kaylor, of near Leslie, named outstanding young farm family in the nation by American Farm Bureau Federation; 1 1/2 ton bell from Victorian courthouse placed at Founder's Memorial Cemetery Feb. 1975 Atlanta's Mattiwilda Dobbs, internationally renowned soprano, sang at GSW Black History Week ceremonies Mar. 1975 Johnny Cash and wife, June Carter, visited Plains May 1975 St. James Pennington Episcopal Church relocated to former site of Andersonville Primitive Baptist Church June 1975 Americus Lodge No. 2535, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, chartered, Ray Schell, Exalted Ruler, replacing defunct Lodge No. 752 Sept 1975 formal dedication of Finklea-Robinson Stadium, (north- east corner, Glessner and Oak) Nov. 1975 Fred D. Harrold, Americus native, inducted into Mor- ris Brown College Athletic Hall of Fame Dec. 1975 Lewis Melvin Lowe became first black to be elected to Americus City Council; National Sports News Service ranked AHS Panthers second in the nation after two successive state AA championships, Alton Shell, coach Jan. 1976 formal dedication of Victorian courthouse bell at Founders Memorial Feb. 1976 Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr. featured speaker at GSW for Black History Week; Americus Historic District placed on National Register of Historic Places; act- ress Lynda Carter appeared at Martin Theater to pro- mote a movie Mar. 1976 dedication ceremony for Lake Blackshear Regional Lib- rary, Gov. Jimmy Carter, keynote speaker (south side Lamar between Hinkle and Oliver) May 1976 formal unveiling of Georgia Prisoner of War Memorial at Andersonville National Cemetery, William Thompson, sculptor July 1976 actor Gary Merrill visited the Leonard Waitsmans Sept. 1976 Habitat for Humanity International started by Millard Fuller at Koinonia Farms, after returning from Africa Oct. 1976 formal dedication of restored St. James Pennington Episcopal Church in Andersonville Nov. 1976 television personalities Mike Douglas and Barbara Walters interviewed Jimmy Carter in Plains Dec. 1976 Americus native, Griffin Boyette Bell, appointed U.S. Attorney-General; Ga. Sheriff's Training Academy's first graduating class included Sheriff-elect Randy Howard of Sumter County Jan. 1977 James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr., of Plains, became President of the United States, the first native Georgian so honored Mar. 1977 Habitat for Humanity International formally incorpor- ated under Georgia state laws May 1977 Larry Comer of Americus, Metalux founder, named Na- tional Small Business Person of the Year, with cere- mony in White House Rose Garden hosted by President Jimmy Carter July 1977 Maranatha Baptist Church constituted at Plains after racial integration split at Plains Baptist, Rev. Dan Ariail, pastor; Thomas O. Marshall, Jr., of Americus, sworn in as associate justice, Georgia Supreme Court Aug. 1977 formal dedication of United Holiness Church sanctuary (southeast corner Hale and Johansen), Evangelist Aaron Snipes, pastor Sept. 1977 Americus' first mini-park dedicated (southeast corner Lamar and Lee); Willie Mae Davis and Cathy Parks be- came first female police officers in Americus history Nov. 1977 groundbreaking ceremony for public safety building; actor Victor French, of ABC TV's "Carter Country," visited Plains Mar. 1978 Howard Dayton donated Windsor Hotel to city of Ameri- cus; dedication of Rotary Park at AHS tennis courts; groundbreaking ceremony for Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints sanctuary (southeast corner Fairway and Lee) May 1978 formal dedication of Fellowship Baptist Church sanc- tuary July 1978 Early Birds Civitan Club of Americus chartered, C. Ang Schramm, president; George Barlow, vice-president; Willie Miles, secretary; Tim Lawson, treasurer; Rev. A.L. Lastinger, chaplain; Lewis M. Lowe, sergeant-at- arms; Peter J. Novak, Chip Boling, Rev. Elijah Smith, directors Sept 1978 Americus Lioness Club chartered, Lucille Sharp, pre- sident; Evelyn Mathews, first vice-president; Marjor- ie Erwin, second vice-president; Emile Smith, third vice-president; Anne Speer, secretary-treasurer; Bet- ty Gurr, Berta Royal, Cecile Niles, directors Nov. 1978 Rev. Moses William Howard, Jr., Americus native, elected president, National Council of Churches, lar- gest ecumenical organization in the country; Phi Del- ta Kappa chapter at GSW chartered, Dr. Bruce Middle- brooks, president Dec. 1978 Southern Railway donated 80-foot railway passenger coach to Andersonville Guild; Lindbergh Memorial ded- icated at Souther Field by U.S. Attorney-General Griffin B. Bell Mar. 1979 GSW's Dr. Barry Beck and students trapped in cave at Lafayette, Ga., but rescued after 29-hour ordeal May 1979 formal dedication of Americus Public Safety Bldg., Mayor John W. Sheffield, Jr., officiating June 1979 formal dedication of Andersonville City Park, Mayor Lewis F. Easterlin, officiating July 1979 announcement of Americus Evangel Assembly of God Church, Dr. Max McKinney, lay minister (Rev. Jerry H. Fleming, first pastor) Sept 1979 Larry Sutton appointed first judge of Sumter County Small Claims Court Oct. 1979 Hiram K. Undercofler, formerly of Americus, appointed chief justice, Georgia Supreme Court Feb. 1980 Nu Zeta Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority chartered at GSW, Mrs. Ann O. Davis, advisor Apr. 1980 U.S. District Judge Wilbur D. Owens ruled Americus and Sumter County at-large elections racially discri- minatory May 1980 "Many Pauses" bowling team, Zine Bendimire, Mary Crawford, Joan Melton, Evelyn Wages filmed by NBC's "Real People"; former Secretary of State Dean Rusk gave keynote speech at inauguration of Dr. William Capitan at GSW Nov. 1980 Arthur C. Pless became first black elected to Sumter County Commission in its history Aug. 1981 Anwar Sadat, President of Egypt, visited former Pre- sident Jimmy Carter at his Plains home, just two months before Sadat's assassination Sept. 1981 Menachem Begin, Prime Minister of Israel, visited at former President Jimmy Carter's Plains home Sept. 1982 Sumter County Comprehensive High School opened, Wil- lie J. Robinson, principal (east side Bumphead Rd. north of city limits) Apr. 1985 Cherokee Elementary School awarded Third Congression- al District School of Excellence, the city's first, Mrs. Robin P. Lowrey, principal Apr. 1986 A.S. Staley Middle School awarded Third Congressional District School of Excellence, R. Lamar Sawyer, prin- cipal Mar. 1988 presidential candidates Michael Dukakis, Democrat, and Rev. Pat Robertson, Republican, campaigned in Americus, the former at Clarence Jordan Center and latter at Perlis Plaza June 1989 Capt. Moses Lee Bridges became the first black Ameri- cus police chief in the city's history (albeit an in- terim one) Jan. 1990 memorial on courthouse lawn honoring Sumter County fatalities in twentieth century wars, highlighting Pfc. Luther H. Story's Medal of Honor, was dedicated Mar. 1990 Sumter County only one in Georgia with both municipal and county governments with women as chief administra- tive officers, Barbara Smith McCarty for the county and Sybil Baxter Smith for Americus Apr. 1990 A.S. Staley Middle School awarded Third Congressional District School of Excellence, its second, Clyde A. McGrady, principal; Miss America Debbye Turner made an appearance at Belk's Department Store May 1990 A.S. Staley Middle School principal Clyde A. McGrady received $25,000 Milken Fund award as one of ten out- standing educators in Georgia Sept. 1990 A.S. Staley Middle School honored in White House cer- emony by President Bush as National School of Excel- lence, Clyde A. McGrady, principal July 1991 Dr. Ronnie A. Williams, of the Americus city schools, named Georgia Superintendent of the Year, by the Georgia School Superintendent Association Sept. 1991 grand reopening of the Windsor Hotel after five mil- lion dollar restoration Jan. 1992 Waymon Jerome Smith became the first black City Mar- shal in Americus history Mar. 1992 dedication of Americus Mennonite Fellowship Church, Rev. Lewis Overholt, pastor (formerly Evangelistic Group's 1945 sanctuary) Apr. 1992 Americus High School awarded Third Congressional Dis- trict School of Excellence, Dr. Howard H. Hendley, principal; Mayor Thomas C. Gailey, Sr., awarded Na- tional Register Certificate by Georgia National Reg- ister Review Board, for city's contribution to the Windsor restoration project July 1992 Angel Myers Martino, of Americus, won Gold and Bronze Medals at Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain Aug. 1992 Dr. Howard H. Hendley, of Americus High School, chos- en Principal of the Year, by National Association of Secondary School Principals Sept. 1992 Americus native Rev. Dr. M. William Howard, Jr. in- stalled as ninth president of New York Theological Seminary, the institution's first black president Oct. 1992 formal dedication of Lindbergh Statue, at Souther Field, a production of Dr. Henry King Stanford, William Thompson, sculptor Nov. 1992 Mrs. Irene King Edge and Mrs. Carolyn Thomas White- head became first black women elected to political office in Sumter County, both on the county school board Dec. 1992 Americus city council renamed Hwy. 19 to Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. after year-long campaign by MLK Ministerial Association, led by Rev. Fer-Rell Malone, of Bethesda Baptist Jan. 1993 New York Giants headcoach Dan Reeves, AHS graduate, named Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year Aug. 1993 Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy and Esther Rolle filmed Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, "To Dance With the White Dog," at Sumter City, guests of the Windsor Hotel Jan. 1994 Frederick L. McLaughlin became the first-ever black to be chairman of Americus City School Board Apr. 1994 Americus High School awarded Second Congressional District School of Excellence, its second, Dr. Howard H. Hendley, principal June 1994 Miss America Kimberly Aiken worked with Habitat for Humanity during construction of their 30,000th house (southeast side Railroad between Mayo and Rabbit Neck); Georgia Association of Education Leaders honored Clyde A. McGrady as Middle School Principal of the Year, and Ms. Betty Jean Harris as Elementary Principal of the Year, for A.S. Staley and Cherokee, respectively July 1994 the 500 Year Flood, Georgia's worst-ever natural dis- aster, killed 15 in Americus and Sumter County, half the state's total death toll, after 21 inches of rain fell in 24 hours Nov. 1994 Americus City School Board, Russ Childers, Michael Coley, Edith Green, Kay Guttenberg, Julie Higgins, Clark Lamb, Fred McLaughlin, Lorena Sabbs and Thomas Sims, elected by popular vote for the one and only time in its history; marble, brick and bronze memori- al, with names of the 15 local victims of the 500 Year Flood, dedicated, north side Russell Thomas, Jr. Public Safety Building, Mayor Russell Thomas, Jr. presiding Dec. 1994 A.S. Staley Middle School awarded Second Congression- al District School of Excellence, its third, Clyde A. McGrady, principal; Americus City School System ceased to exist as its charter lapsed, becoming one with the Sumter County School System, Dr. Katie Bro- chu, superintendent; Charlie Clifford Whitehead, Jr. became the first black police chief in history of Americus Jan. 1995 Mrs. Edith Ann Hollis Green became chairperson of newly consolidated Sumter County School Board, first black and woman to do so in its 123-year history Mar. 1995 Tammy Hobbs and Danetta Warren became first women to serve in Americus Fire Department in its 102-year history, Stephen R. M. Moreno, III, chief June 1995 Mrs. Juanita Freeman Wilson became first woman and black to be principal of Americus High School in its 115-year history; Americus resident Dan. L. Torbert awarded Kiwanis International Foundation's Robert P. Connelly Medal for Heroism, in Las Vegas, first Georgian so honored, for his rescue of residents of Methodist Children's Home during 500 Year Flood of July 6,1994; Rev. Wendy T. Joyner, one of only two female Baptist preachers in Georgia, became pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church Oct. 1995 Georgia Rural Telephone Museum opened in Leslie, Tommy C. Smith, founder Nov. 1995 Mrs. Eloise Richardson Paschal and Mrs. Eddie Rhea Ross Walker were first women ever elected to Americus City Council in its 139-year history Mar. 1996 Dismuke Storehouse, southeast corner Ashby and Lee, added to National Register of Historic Places, Karl Wilson, owner Apr. 1996 Jimmy Carter National Historic Site, Plains Histori- cal Preservation Trust and City of Plains shared National Park Partnership Leadership Award from National Park Foundation and National Park Service, for preservation of Plains High School May 1996 Americus resident Dan Torbert was presented the cellular telecommunications industry's VITA award by movie and television actor William Shatner, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., for his rescue of eight people during the 500 Year Flood; NASA administrator Dan Goldin and astronaut Kenneth Bowersox, along with Congressman Sanford Bishop, held a forum at South Georgia Technical Institute's Griffin Bell Aerospace Center June 1996 death of Americus native Lonne Elder III, actor and playwright, who wrote "Ceremonies in Dark Old Men" and was nominated for Academy Award for his screen- play of "Sounder" in 1972 July 1996 Board of Regents changed name of Georgia Southwestern College to Georgia Southwestern State University; '96 Centennial Olympic Torch passed through Sumter County with local runners Katie Brochu, Sarah Dew, Greg Garth, Susan Henry, Alvin Jackson, Ethel Marshall, Francis Pate, John Rivers, David Smith, Dan Torbert, Charlie Whitehead, Jr., Christie Williams, Jason Williams, Broadus Willoughby, Frank Wilson, III; Plains High School Visitor's Center and Museum opened; Koinonia Museum opened at Koinonia Farms Sept. 1996 Millard Fuller, of Americus, founder of Habitat for Humanity International, awarded nation's highest civ- ilian honor, Presidential Medal of Freedom, by Presi- dent Clinton at White House ceremony; Angelle Sampey Seeling, of Americus, first woman in National Hot Rod Association history to win Pro Stock Motorcycle title in Pioneer Electronics Keystone Nationals Oct. 1996 Wrought iron arch at Founders' Memorial dedicated by Azalea Garden Club, Mrs. William Forehand, president Dec. 1996 Sumter County Schools Superintendent Dr. Katie Brochu chosen Georgia School Superintendent of the Year by the Georgia Association of School Administrators Jan. 1997 AHS graduate Dan Reeves named head coach for Atlan- ta Falcons football team Feb. 1997 "AmericUSumter Observer," monthly newspaper, began, Dr. John D. Marshall, publisher Mar. 1997 Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat visited former President Jimmy Carter at home in Plains; Mike Bowers, of Americus, became field announcer for the Atlanta Braves in the new Turner Field Stadium; ecu- menical interracial services, sponsored by Sumter Area Ministerial Association, with A.M.E.'s Norris Harris at First Baptist, First United Methodist's Rev. Jerrell Lillard at Bethesda Baptist, Calvary Episcopal's lay minister Kathy Monahan at United Hol- iness, Bethesda Baptist's Rev. Fer-Rell Malone at Mennonite Fellowship and First Baptist's Rev. Dr. Reed Crumbliss at Big Bethel Baptist, first time ever on this scale in Sumter County's history Apr. 1997 Gov. Zell Miller signed into law Plains High School's designation as Official State School of Georgia May 1997 U.S. Army Secretary Togo D. West, Jr. spoke at Memor- ial Day services at Andersonville National Cemetery Sept 1997 Milton "Amp" Myers, A.S. Staley Middle School coach, won first place with his team at U.S. Tennis Associ- ation League 5.0 Team Tournament at Flushing Meadows, New York Feb. 1998 Americus Sumter County Parks and Recreation Dept. opened 10-field sports complex (east side Hwy. 19 S.) Mar. 1998 "The Sumter Free Press" began publication as a weekly, J. Frank Myers, publisher, Don Fletcher, managing ed- itor Apr. 1998 National Prisoner of War Museum officially dedicated, U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz), a Vietnam P.O.W., as featured speaker (Andersonville National Historic Site); formal dedication of John H. "Bud" Robinson III sports clinic at University of Georgia in Athens Aug. 1998 New Corinth Baptist Church placed on National Register of Historic Places (south side Hooks Mill Rd., south of Lake Philema), sponsored by State Sen. George B. Hooks, whose ancestor built the original sanctuary Oct. 1998 formal dedication of Willie Lee Walton Boone Park (south side Rucker, east of MLK, Jr.), in honor of long-time coach of black baseball team, Americus Clowns Nov. 1998 CBS newscaster Dan Rather interviewed locals about the Daniel Colwell trial for "60 Minutes II" segment (telecast 1-27-99) Jan. 1999 Dan Reeves named Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year for 1998 May 1999 AHS girls won Class AA state track championship, Eve- lyn Wright, coach June 1999 Sen. George B. Hooks, of Americus, cited as Legislator of the Year, American School Counselors Association; Millard Fuller, of Americus, cited for Greatest Public Service Benefiting the Disadvantaged, Jefferson Award, American Institute of Public Service, at Supreme Court Bldg. ceremony, Washington, D.C. Aug. 1999 Jimmy Carter awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton at White House ceremony; fire destroyed old Americus Grocery Co. Bldg. (northwest corner Cotton and Jefferson) Oct. 1999 grand reopening of Rylander Theater after $4 million renovation, with Jimmy Carter's 75th birthday celebra- tion including Lynn Anderson, Pat Boone, Sam Donaldson, Indigo Girls, McGuire Sisters, Helen Thomas; Americus resident Jack Bridges, AmeriCorps program manager for Habitat for Humanity International, honored by Presi- dent Bill Clinton at White House ceremony Jan. 2000 Americus one of 10 Best Managed and Livable Cities se- lected by Georgia Municipalities Association, Russell Thomas, Jr., mayor Mar. 2000 dedication of Maxine Newberry Reese Park in Plains, Boze Godwin, mayor June 2000 Americus resident Stuart Perry received Clifford W. Beers Award from National Mental Health Association; Jimmy Carter awarded Eisenhower Medallion by People to People International, founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower Aug. 2000 Southland Academy dedicated its stadium in honor of one of its founders, Dr. Harvey L. Simpson, Jr. Sept. 2000 President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter, with Millard and Linda Fuller, completed Sumter County Initiative's elimination of all sub-standard housing with construc- tion of "Victory House" for Vera Thomas family Nov. 2000 South Georgia Technical Institute changed its name to South Georgia Technical College; Cecilia M. Cooper, of Americus, became the first woman ever elected as District Attorney for the Southwestern Circuit; U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman dedicated Jimmy Carter Boyhood Home in Archery as National Historic Site; Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris visited relatives in Americus during Thanksgiving holidays Jan. 2001 Robert Charles "Bob" Ingle, Sr. became first Republican sheriff of Sumter County Feb. 2001 Henry Louis "Hammerin' Hank" Aaron spoke at Boys and Girls Club dinner at South Georgia Technical College; Kent Hill and Angel Myers-Martino, of Americus, were inducted into Georgia's Sports Hall of Fame in Macon; John Amos, television, film and stage actor, appeared in "Halley's Comet" at Rylander Theater and stayed at Americus Garden Inn on Rees Park Apr. 2001 Rev. Jesse Jackson spoke at Bethesda Baptist Church and stayed at the Windsor; Plaque unveiled by Navy Commander Lloyd Bucher, ret., honoring U.S.S. Pueblo crew, at National Prisoner of War Museum near Ander- sonville June 2001 Judy Wanner, Americus resident, won $16 million jack- pot in state lottery; Kiwanis Club of Sumter County chartered, Samantha Jackson, president July 2001 Mickey Rooney, movie and stage actor, appeared in "The One Man, One Wife Show" at Rylander Theater and stayed at Americus Garden Inn on Rees Park; Jimmy Carter dedicated John M. Pope Industrial Technology Center at South Georgia Technical College Nov. 2001 "Sumter News" began publication as a weekly, Thomas Holloway, owner, Don Fletcher, publisher and editor Jan. 2002 Groundbreaking ceremony for Habitat For Humanity International's Global Village May 2003 Faith Fuller's "Briars in the Cotton Patch" documentary debuted at Rylander Theater; Habitat for Humanity Inter- national's Global Village had its grand opening, U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop as keynote speaker, including former President Jimmy Carter and former Zambia President Kenneth D. Kuanda as guests July 2003 Lulu Westbrook-Griffin's "Lulu and the Girls of Americus, Georgia 1963" documentary debuted at Rylander Theater Sept 2004 Willie Nelson filmed a concert in Plains for CMT cable channel, with Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter Jan. 2005 Andrea P.F. Brooks became first black woman to serve on Sumter County Commission since its establishment in 1872; Millard Fuller was fired by Habitat for Humanity Inter- national board of directors for publicly criticizing them Feb. 2005 "Briars in the Cotton Patch" televised on 222 PBS stations in 41 states Mar. 2005 Millard Fuller incorporated Building Habitat in Americus (renamed Fuller Center for Housing, Inc. after lawsuit by Habitat for Humanity International board of directors) May 2005 "Briars in the Cotton Patch" nominated for two southeast regional EMMYS; Fuller Center for Housing, Inc. grand opening in Americus led by Millard and Linda Fuller June 2005 Michael Booth, writer and co-producer of "Briars in the Cotton Patch," awarded EMMY for writing; retired GSW math professor, Dr. James T. Turner, won $9 million lottery Oct. 2005 Millard and Linda Fuller honored at "Extra Mile Points of Light Volunteer Pathway" in Washington,D.C. ceremony led by President George H.W. Bush, ABC-TV commentator Cokie Roberts, and D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams, for their role in founding Habitat for Humanity International Nov. 2005 Georgia Historic Society Marker unveiled at Koinonia; U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in drug case of Scott F. Randolph, Americus attorney Dec. 2005 Central Baptist Church moved from its 1897 location to its new sanctuary on Upper River Rd., Rev. Harris Malcom, senior pastor Jan. 2006 Paula Deen, of Food Network's "Paula's Country Cooking," filmed segment in Plains with Jimmy Carter Feb. 2006 Atlanta Braves rightfielder Jeff Francoeur signed auto- graphs to raise money for Plains Better Hometown program, then had lunch with former president Jimmy Carter Mar. 2006 Martin Sheen, movie and television actor, visited Anderson- ville and stayed at Windsor Hotel Apr. 2006 Rev. Joseph Lowery, co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, was featured speaker at NAACP's annual dinner May 2006 Elbert Head Memorial Park dedicated to former slave, capitalist and Republican Party leader, just north of Leonora Lambert Senior Center on N. Jackson June 2006 "Remembering Americus, Georgia - Essays on Southern Life," book published, Alan Anderson, author Aug. 2006 Restoration Church of Americus held its inaugural service at GSW's Jackson Hall, Rev. George F. Edge, pastor Sept. 2006 First Baptist Church of Americus held its 175th anniversary, Dr. Robert L. Whitmire, pastor, in union service with Bethesda Baptist Church, first time since 1865 with both congregations; "A Journey of Grace - A History of the First Baptist Church of Americus, Georgia" book published, Alan Anderson, author