Bainbridge in Decatur County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Samuel Marvin Griffin
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 21, 2024
1. Samuel Marvin Griffin Marker
[center panel]
1955-1959
There is no finer service than to God, country and ones fellowman
Born Bainbridge Sept. 4, 1907
Died Bainbridge June 13, 1982
Statesman
Decatur County representative 1935-36
Lt. Governor of Georgia 1948-54
Governor of Georgia 1955-59
Editor and Publisher
Publisher The Post-Searchlight 1933-72
Publisher Emeritus 1972
[left panel]
President, Chamber of Commerce
Charter Member Lions Club
Charter Member VFW Post 4904
American Legion Post 62
Mason and Shriner
Deacon, First Presbyterian Church
General Chairman Decatur County Sesquicentennial Celebration 1973
[right panel]
Graduate of the Citadel Military College of South Carolina Class of 1929
Captain, Battery D, 101 Bn. AA (AW) G.N.G. 1941
Lt. Colonel and 101 Bn. Commander, A.U.S. 1943
Fought in Papuan, New Guinea and Netherlands East Indies Campaigns
USAFFE, 1942-43-44
Adjutant General of Georgia 1944-47
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations
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Location. 30° 54.375′ N, 84° 34.562′ W. Marker is in Bainbridge, Georgia, in Decatur County. It can be reached from East Water Street just east of North West Street, on the right when traveling east. The marker is located near the center of Willis Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 105 East Water Street, Bainbridge GA 39817, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Coastal Plain. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Civil War Cannon (here, next to this marker); The Bainbridge Volunteers (a few steps from this marker); Winecoff Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Decatur County War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); De Soto Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); El Camino Real (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory of Revolutionary Soldiers (within shouting distance of this marker); Decatur County (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bainbridge.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Samuel Marvin Griffin (Wikipedia).
Excerpt:(Submitted on October 5, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)A lifelong Democrat, Griffin was a native of Bainbridge, Georgia and publisher of the Bainbridge Post-Searchlight. He served as the 72nd governor of Georgia from 1955 to 1959, where he supported educational segregation and opposed the integration of Georgia schools. After the end of his gubernatorial tenure, he returned to his native Bainbridge and entered the real estate business, helping to found Bainbridge College (later Bainbridge State College) in 1970. He served on the college's board of directors and died from lung cancer in 1982.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 21, 20242. Samuel Marvin Griffin MarkerLooking northeast from the center of Willis Park.In 1946, Griffin's 14-year-old daughter, Patricia Ann Griffin, died in the Winecoff Hotel fire.
In 1958, Griffin, who was a segregationist and accused of being racist, took advantage of the intense media coverage surrounding the Springhill mining disaster in Springhill, Nova Scotia, Canada to promote tourism to his state by offering a group of survivors free vacations to Jekyll Island. However, to the segregationist governor's chagrin, one of the rescued miners was black, resulting in a public relations nightmare.
2. Marvin Griffin (New Georgia Encyclopedia).
Excerpt: Upon taking office, Griffin reneged on a campaign promise and pushed through an increase in the state income tax, which was needed to offset an expected shortfall in revenues. After the tax increase, the Griffin administration accomplished a great deal for Georgia. The Rural Roads Authority paved nearly 12,000 miles of rural roads in the state. Appropriations for education increased by 50 percent, and teacher salaries rose approximately 25 percent. Griffin oversaw the building of a new science complex at the University of Georgia as well as a nuclear reactor at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The state also purchased Stone Mountain for use as a state park.(Submitted on October 5, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 239 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 5, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
