The stories behind this tiny town in Georgia are one for the history books. While there are plenty of places in Georgia which hold historical significance (Everyone In Georgia Should See What’s Inside This Once Abandoned 20th Century Apothecary) this one specific town has quite the sordid past. Still open and available for visitors to indulge themselves in days gone by, take a look at why this Georgia town has been perfectly preserved for all to see.
Andersonville, Georgia in Sumter County is a small town with a population of just a few hundred residents.
Flickr Mark D L
The history behind this small town is quite a fascinating one, dating all the way back to the 1800s.
Flickr Steven Martin
Andersonville started as a railroad town and was named after John Anderson, one of the directors of the South Western Railroad, in 1853.
Flickr Steven Martin
Anderson Station as it was called, was used when the railroad extended all the way from Oglethorpe to Americus.
Flickr Neal Wellons
In 1855 a US post office was built and the government changed the name from Anderson to Andersonville so as not to confuse it with a South Carolina town of the same name.
Flickr Steven Martin
During the Civil War, Andersonville was established by the Confederate army as a place to house Union prisoners of war—it was called Camp Sumter.
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Historically, this camp prison was well known and documented for the horrendous conditions in which the prisoners were kept.
Flickr Ken Lund
Close to 13,000 prisoners died there during that time, their headstones marked by white graves to this day.
Flickr Andersonville National Historic Site
The town of Andersonville also played a role in the war, as it served as the supply depot—the town included a blacksmith shop, general store, saloons, a school, a few houses, a church and the post office.
Flickr OZinOH
Since the war and the closing of the prison, the area of Andersonville was known for agricultural opportunities, as well as large-scale mining.
Flickr Mark D L
Mayor Lewis Esterlin, along with other town members, wanted Andersonville to be preserved for all to see, though, and pay homage to the history.
Flickr Steven Martin
Which is why Main Street was redeveloped, as well as other parts of the town, to resemble exactly as it was decades ago, but also to pay homage to the past.
Flickr Pat Henson
Have you ever been to Andersonville, Georgia? Share with us your stories! Would you recommend Andersonville to a friend?
Flickr Mark D L
Flickr Steven Martin
Flickr Neal Wellons
Flickr House Divided Project
Flickr Ken Lund
Flickr Andersonville National Historic Site
Flickr OZinOH
Flickr Pat Henson
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