Plains in Sumter County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Earl and Lillian Carter Home

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, June 19, 2012

1. The Earl and Lillian Carter Home Marker

Inscription. James Earl Carter, Sr. and his family moved into this middle-class rural dwelling as its second owners in 1928, six years after the home had been built. Heating was accomplished by fireplaces and wood stoves. Initially, there was no running water and electricity was unavailable until 1938. Earl Carter sold the farm to T.R. Downer in 1949. The Downer family owned the property until 1994 when the National Park Service purchase it. The home is restored to its 1930s appearance before it had electricity. Earl and Lillian Carter and their four children Jimmy, Gloria, Ruth, and Billy lived here.

Help us preserve this historic site for the enjoyment of this and future generations. do not touch or disturb furnishings or objects in the buildings. None of the furnishings in the home belong to the Carter family. They are period pieces of the 1930s era and are similar to what the Carters would have owned. Flash and video photography is allowed.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.

Location. 32° 1.56′ N, 84° 26.028′ W. Marker is in Plains, Georgia, in Sumter County. Marker can be reached from Old Plains Highway, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located in Plains, Georgia on Carter Boy Hood Farm

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Jimmy Carter National Historic Site United States Department of Interior. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Plains GA 31780, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Tennis Court (a few steps from this marker); Winds of Change (within shouting distance of this marker); The Carter Family Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Always a Reckoning (within shouting distance of this marker); Jimmy Carter Slept Here (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jimmy Carter's Boyhood Farm / From Here To Plains (about 400 feet away); Blacksmith Shop (about 400 feet away); Cash Crops (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Plains.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, June 19, 2012

2. The Earl and Lillian Carter Home Marker

The Earl and Lillian Carter Home Backside image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, June 19, 2012

3. The Earl and Lillian Carter Home Backside

Jimmy Carter's bedroom image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, June 19, 2012

4. Jimmy Carter's bedroom

Like most boys, Jimmy enjoyed spending much of his time outdoors. His bedroom, however, was the place where kept many os his collected treasures. Postcards, lettres, and souvenirs sent to him by his Uncle Tom Gordy, who was in the navy, sparked dreams of far away places, the ocean, and a future naval career. Lillian Carter instilled a love of reading in her children, which is evident by the books in her son's room and throughout the house.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 520 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 25, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.