Swainsboro in Emanuel County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Crossroads of the Great South
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, October 8, 2022
1. The Crossroads of the Great South Marker
This wagon sits at the intersection of two historic cross-country routes. U.S. Highway 1, the longest north-south road in the United States, stretches from Fort Kent, Maine to Key West, Florida. Intersecting Highway 1, in the heart of downtown Swainsboro is U.S. Highway 80, which ran from Savannah, Georgia to San Diego, California until 1932 when Dallas, Texas became the western terminus.
The intersection of these prominent routes earned Swainsboro the title of "Crossroads of the Great South," and much of Swainsboro's early development may be attributed to these important highways.
The style of the wagon is typical of what citizens used before automobiles became common, often pulling double duty as farm wagons and personal transportation.
This wagon was built of local lumber by employees of Interfor Corporation's Swainsboro Division in acknowledgement of this significant landmark. It is maintained by the Downtown Development Authority of Swainsboro.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles.
Location. 32° 35.816′ N, 82° 20.046′ W. Marker is in Swainsboro, Georgia, in Emanuel County. Marker is at the intersection of South Main Street (Georgia Route 57) and Roger Shaw Street, on the right
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Emanuel County Patriot Park (a few steps from this marker); Home of George Leon Smith, II (a few steps from this marker); Swainsboro Georgia Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Emanuel County (within shouting distance of this marker); Swainsboro 9/11 Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Sgt. Ronald Bruce Price (approx. 0.7 miles away); Don E. Flanders (approx. 0.7 miles away); C O Edwards Jr (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Swainsboro.
Also see . . . Swainsboro: Crossroads of the Great South.
As the main intersection of the historical North/South and East/West corridors, Swainsboro has also been the intersection of millions of travelers since 1926. Hundreds of people daily still travel U.S Route 80 and U.S Route 1 through the heart of Downtown Swainsboro, not knowing that by doing so they become part of a larger story that is shared by those who have come before them and will come after them. Swainsboro will always be the “Crossroads of the Great South” and always welcome travelers for a rest on their way(Submitted on October 9, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)to see America.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, October 8, 20222. The Crossroads of the Great South Marker(marker is mounted on the back of the pioneer wagon exhibit) As a member of the inaugural class of US highways commissioned in 1926, US 80 was the first all-weather coast-to-coast route available to auto travelers. For a time known as the “Broadway of America”, its legendary history is second only to U.S. Route 66 in American highway folklore, as several significant historical events have occurred on or near Highway 80. Bonnie and Clyde were ambushed approximately four miles south of US 80 in Gibsland, Louisiana. Lee Harvey Oswald was captured at the Texas Theatre on Jefferson Street in Oak Cliff, which at the time was a business spur of Highway 80.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, October 8, 2022
3. Pioneer Wagon Exhibit in Courthouse Square Park
Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 209 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 9, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
