AMERICUS — Thanks to Robert Griffin for his coverage of last Tuesday's meeting of the Schley County Board of Commissioners. The indefatigable Nancy McMath Young addressed the board regarding formation of a county historic preservation committee.
As a resident of Schley County in a former life, may I applaud Mrs. Young and others who seek to preserve the county's unique historical buildings. Surely the Robert Burton house should be high on the list of sites to be added to the National Register of Historic Places. Unless the rules have changed, it may first be necessary to have the house accepted by the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
In recent years, Jody Dillard and others have tried to generate support for restoring the Schley County Courthouse. This is a formidable task. However, the end result will be worth the effort and expense. It deserves county-wide support.
The Americus-Sumter Tourism Council instigated a project to encourage travelers to use U.S. Highway 19 as an alternate route to I-75 through Georgia. With four-laning nearing completion, 19 should see growing numbers of travelers. They will stop and shop in some towns and cities along the way, and bypass others. Hopefully, Ellaville and Schley County will get their share of visitors and their dollars.
The U.S. Highway 19 project has an official name, Magnolia Highway, and a website: www.magnoliahighway.com. Please visit the website. You will be impressed.
Schley County residents may wish to think about having a beautification commission to establish and maintain attractive signs welcoming travelers to the county. The placement of the signs may have to be coordinated with the Georgia Department of Transportation and/or private property owners at the entrances to the county.
Welcome signs, if attractively designed, well maintained, and landscaped, say to travelers that they are entering a community of proud and progressive residents. Beautiful entrances and properly preserved historic places will reinforce the visitors' positive impression of Schley County and Ellaville.
Michael Dixon
Americus
