As you drive down the winding roads of rural Georgia, the landscape can feel like it’s out of a painting. The towering trees create a green canopy above and the earth seems to sing a gentle song beneath the tires. But in the midst of the tranquil beauty, there are eerie reminders of the past, a time when bustling towns once thrived and people filled the streets. But today, these towns have been left to wither away, slowly fading from memory. The remnants of these abandoned ghost towns remain scattered throughout Georgia and offer an intriguing glimpse into the past.
First on the list is Auraria, once the most populous town in Lumpkin County. The town began its decline when the railroad bypassed it, taking away vital transportation access. Residents began moving away in droves, seeking better opportunities elsewhere. All that remains today are a few abandoned buildings and ruins. One such building, the Smith-Horne-McCall house, still stands tall despite years of neglect. The once-impressive home of the Smith family is now boarded up and deteriorating.
Just outside of Americus lies the town of Andersonville. Most people have heard of this small community because of its tragic history. The town was used as a prisoner-of-war camp during the Civil War and thousands of Union soldiers perished there from hunger, disease, and exposure. Today, the prison camp has been converted into a National Historic Site, complete with an informative museum that educates visitors about the conditions and lives of the prisoners.
The tiny town of Rozar is a picturesque sight. Once a hub for commerce and farming in southeastern Georgia, Rozar has all but vanished. Visitors today will find only a cemetery, a church, and a schoolhouse that has been restored and turned into a museum. This schoolhouse served the children of Rozar in the early 1900s and today stands as a testament to a simpler time.
The small town of Satilla is yet another once-thriving community that has succumbed to time. During its heyday, Satilla boasted a hotel, post office, and general store. But a fire in 1939 burned most of the buildings to the ground and the town never recovered. Today, only a few structures remain standing. One of them is the old bank, a stately brick building that now houses a museum with exhibits showcasing the town’s past.
No mention of abandoned ghost towns in Georgia would be complete without mentioning Ophir. The town’s post office closed in the early 1950s and it was only a matter of time before the rest of the residents began to move away as well. Today, visitors can still see the ruins of Ophir’s old buildings, including an abandoned grocery store and gas station. In recent years, locals have come together to try to restore Ophir and bring life back to the small community.