Plains: A Tiny Town with Big History

Plains, Georgia, is a small town with a big story to tell. It's not your typical tourist hotspot, with no major hotels, just one gas station, and a couple of restaurants that close early. But for a long time, Plains had something special: Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, called it home. As he stepped away from public life, the town had time to prepare for a future without its most famous resident. Now that President Carter has passed away at the age of 100, Plains is hoping to keep its tourism appeal alive. History shows that small towns with presidential ties can stay on the map long after the president has gone. Take Hyde Park, New York, for instance. It sits on the Hudson River and draws tourists year-round to visit Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidential library, home, and gravesite. In Tampico, Illinois, signs advertise the town as Ronald Reagan's birthplace, encouraging travelers to make a brief stop on their way to Chicago. Plains has its own unique charm. It's a place where you can still feel the echoes of history. The town is hoping that even without President Carter, people will continue to visit, curious to explore his roots and the story of a small-town boy who became the leader of the free world.