Plains in Sumter County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Eleanor Rosalynn Smith Carter
1927 - 2023
Photographed by James L.Whitman, June 9, 2026
1. Eleanor Rosalynn Smith Carter 1927-2023 Marker
Rosalynn Carter was an American writer and humanitarian who served as First Lady of Georgia (1971-1975), wife of Governor Jimmy Carter; and as First Lady of the United States (1977-1981), wife of President Carter, our 39th President. The Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail was inspired by Mrs. Carter's pollinator garden at their home in Plains, Georgia. Her favorite pollinators were monarch butterflies. Many pollinators suffer from loss of habitat and harmful chemicals. In 2013, a "trail" started of butterfly gardens, initially from one or two houses, then one or two towns. and today, the butterfly trail continues to grow to provide safe habitats for pollinators thanks to Mrs. Carter's vision and action.
Erected by Sponsored by Magnolia District of the Garden Club of Georgia.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Horticulture & Forestry • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 2013.
Location. 32° 2.647′ N, 84° 22.857′ W. Marker is near Plains, Georgia, in Sumter County. It is on U.S. 280 east of Hospital Street, on the right when traveling east.
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Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in 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 one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Wise Sanitarium (approx. 0.7 miles away); Baby Row (approx. 0.9 miles away); Friendship Garden (approx. 0.9 miles away); Plains High School (approx. 0.9 miles away); Carter Warehouse (approx. one mile away); Early Days (approx. one mile away); Billy Carter Service Station (approx. one mile away); Williams Warehouse (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Plains.
Photographed by James L.Whitman, June 13, 2026
2. Eleanor Rosalynn Smith Carter Marker
Photographed by James L.Whitman, June 9, 2026
3. Roslynn Carter Butterfly Trail signage
Photographed by James L.Whitman, June 9, 2026
4. Garden along the butterfly trail
Photographed by James L.Whitman, June 13, 2026
5. Eleanor Rosalynn Smith Carter Marker at the Georgia Visitors Center, Plains GA
Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2026, by James L.Whitman of Eufaula, Alabama. This page has been viewed 29 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on June 11, 2026, by James L.Whitman of Eufaula, Alabama. 2. submitted on June 13, 2026, by James L.Whitman of Eufaula, Alabama. 3, 4. submitted on June 11, 2026, by James L.Whitman of Eufaula, Alabama. 5. submitted on June 13, 2026, by James L.Whitman of Eufaula, Alabama. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
