Warm Springs in Meriwether County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Photographed By Duane Hall, May 25, 2015

1. Franklin D. Roosevelt Marker

Panel #1

Inscription.

Franklin D. Roosevelt. . , (Panel #1) , Beginning as the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation, this hospital for polio patients was founded by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1927. , , The Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation is today an internationally recognized comprehensive rehabilitation facility, providing services for people with many different types of disabilities. , , Visitors can go on a walking tour of the historic buildings by driving to Georgia Hall located on the campus and proceed to the reception booth. , , Pictures here include the old gated entrance, the Georgia Hall entrance and the Chapel, dedicated by FDR in 1938, that is still in use today. , , , Roosevelt loved Warm Springs and in 1932, he built the only home he ever owned - a modest, six room cottage that came to be called “The Little White House” which served as a relaxing, comfortable haven for him during his regular visits to Warm Springs. , , It was here that he developed many of the New Deal policies that would effect the entire nation. It was also here where he died on April 12, 1945 while posing for the “Unfinished Portrait”. , , The Little White House State Historic Site and the nearby historic pools complex are both operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. , , , The town of Warm Springs, once a sleepy resort community, has changed little over the years isnce FDR’s visits to this area. He brought world attention to this town beginning with his search for a cure for the polio that attacked him in 1921. , , Today, Warm Springs’ history comes alive in the charming restaurants and hotels and the 100 year old restored buildings. , , Over 60 stores and restaurants are located here for shopping and dining. Please be sure to visit the Warm Springs Welcome Center located on the site of the old train depot for further information about the town and local areas of interest. , , (Panel #2) , This area was once used as a public picnic area and entrance to the public pool. The 1929 map (below) provided the visitor with general directions to all of the local venues. At this location, there was the Warm Springs Service Station (FDR’s 1932 Plymouth is being serviced, bottom right) and the Pantry Shelf which provided sandwich and picnic supplies. Whether traveling by wagon or coach, horse or automobile, there was ample room for parking, with many picnic tables on the lawns. Travelers could pull over for a bite and then perhaps take a swim in the warm mineral baths. Even today, Warm Springs offers the same hospitality to our guests, what Roosevelt called “The Spirit of Warm Springs”. , , (Panel #3) , In 1928, the Edsel Ford Pavilion was completed. This pool became known as the Winter Pool as therapy could now be offered to patients year round. It was dedicated on Thanksgiving Day of that year. Franklin Roosevelt had just been elected Governor of New York. , , , The main entrance to the public pool was located just a few yards away. The famous T-shaped pool was closed in 1945 after FDR’s death. , , This was the pool that he exercised in before the patient’s pools were built. He found the waters so relaxing to his paralyzed muscles that he made plans to travel here as often as he could as citizen, governor and President. , , Water from the warm springs feeds the stone drinking fountain located near the main entrance.

(Panel #1)
Beginning as the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation, this hospital for polio patients was founded by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1927.

The Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation is today an internationally recognized comprehensive rehabilitation facility, providing services for people with many different types of disabilities.

Visitors can go on a walking tour of the historic buildings by driving to Georgia Hall located on the campus and proceed to the reception booth.

Pictures here include the old gated entrance, the Georgia Hall entrance and the Chapel, dedicated by FDR in 1938, that is still in use today.

Roosevelt loved Warm Springs and in 1932, he built the only home he ever owned - a modest, six room cottage that came to be called “The Little White House” which served as a relaxing, comfortable haven for him during his regular visits to Warm Springs.

It was here that he developed many of the New Deal policies that would effect the entire nation. It was also here where he died on April 12, 1945 while posing for the “Unfinished Portrait”.

The Little White House State Historic Site and the nearby historic pools complex are both operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

The

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town of Warm Springs, once a sleepy resort community, has changed little over the years isnce FDR’s visits to this area. He brought world attention to this town beginning with his search for a cure for the polio that attacked him in 1921.

Today, Warm Springs’ history comes alive in the charming restaurants and hotels and the 100 year old restored buildings.

Over 60 stores and restaurants are located here for shopping and dining. Please be sure to visit the Warm Springs Welcome Center located on the site of the old train depot for further information about the town and local areas of interest.

(Panel #2)
This area was once used as a public picnic area and entrance to the public pool. The 1929 map (below) provided the visitor with general directions to all of the local venues. At this location, there was the Warm Springs Service Station (FDR’s 1932 Plymouth is being serviced, bottom right) and the Pantry Shelf which provided sandwich and picnic supplies. Whether traveling by wagon or coach, horse or automobile, there was ample room for parking, with many picnic tables on the lawns. Travelers could pull over for a bite and then perhaps take a swim in the warm mineral baths. Even today, Warm Springs offers the same hospitality to our guests, what Roosevelt called “The Spirit of Warm Springs”.

(Panel #3)
In

Photographed By Duane Hall, May 25, 2015

2. Franklin D. Roosevelt Marker

Panel #2

1928, the Edsel Ford Pavilion was completed. This pool became known as the Winter Pool as therapy could now be offered to patients year round. It was dedicated on Thanksgiving Day of that year. Franklin Roosevelt had just been elected Governor of New York.

The main entrance to the public pool was located just a few yards away. The famous T-shaped pool was closed in 1945 after FDR’s death.

This was the pool that he exercised in before the patient’s pools were built. He found the waters so relaxing to his paralyzed muscles that he made plans to travel here as often as he could as citizen, governor and President.

Water from the warm springs feeds the stone drinking fountain located near the main entrance.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Parks & Recreational Areas • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #32 Franklin D. Roosevelt series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1869.

Location. 32° 53.507′ N, 84° 41.293′ W. Marker is in Warm Springs, Georgia, in Meriwether County. Marker can be reached from Spring Street (Georgia Route 41) 0.1 miles west of Golf Course Road, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located at the north end of a roadside picnic area. Touch for map

Photographed By Duane Hall, May 25, 2015

3. Franklin D. Roosevelt Marker

Panel #3

. Marker is in this post office area: Warm Springs GA 31830, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Georgia Warm Springs Foundation (within shouting distance of this marker); Warm Springs Treatment Pools (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Depot Site Warm Springs (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Little White House (approx. 0.7 miles away); Franklin Delano Roosevelt (approx. 0.7 miles away); Roosevelt Farm (approx. 2.8 miles away); Longleaf Pine Planting (approx. 3 miles away); Dowdell's Knob (approx. 3.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Warm Springs.

1929 Map of Warm Springs image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, May 25, 2015

4. 1929 Map of Warm Springs

Close-up of map on Panel #2

FDR's 1932 Plymouth image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, May 25, 2015

5. FDR's 1932 Plymouth

Close-up of image on Panel #2

Franklin D. Roosevelt Marker Panels image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, May 25, 2015

6. Franklin D. Roosevelt Marker Panels

Franklin D. Roosevelt image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, February 16, 2015

7. Franklin D. Roosevelt

This 1945 Portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt by Douglas Chandor hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.

“When Franklin Roosevelt began serving in New York's state legislature in 1911, some observers declared him ill-suited to the rough realities of politics. But Roosevelt thrived on those realities; some two decades later, he was advancing from the New York governorship to the presidency.

Taking office against the bleak backdrop of the Great Depression, Roosevelt responded quickly to this economic disaster with a host of regulatory and welfare measures that redefined the government's role in American life. Among conservatives, the new federal involvement in matters traditionally left to the private sector was a betrayal of America's ideals. But in other quarters, Roosevelt's activism inspired an unwavering popularity that led to his election to an unprecedented four terms.

When Roosevelt sat for this portrait in 1945, his presidential concerns had long since shifted to guiding the nation through World War II. This likeness is a study for a larger painting a sketch of which appears at the lower left commemorating Roosevelt's meeting with wartime Allied leaders, Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin at Yalta.” — National Portrait Gallery

Marker Panels in Roadside Picnic Area on SR 41 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, May 25, 2015

8. Marker Panels in Roadside Picnic Area on SR 41

Credits. This page was last revised on November 16, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 441 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 17, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 7. submitted on November 2, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 8. submitted on June 17, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.