• Newspaper
  • Community

  • History

    The Americus Recorder began publication in May 1879, with “M. Callaway and J.R. Christian in charge, followed by Maj. Wm. L. Glessner and his son-in-law Henry C. Storey. In January “Americus Times” became Recorder’s rival, with R.H. Brumby, managing editor and J.W. Furlow, city editor. In April 1891, the competing Times and Recorder consolidated into “Times-Recorder” with Bascom Myrick as publisher. In August 1895, Marie Louise Scudder Myrick became the only woman in Georgia to be owner, publisher and editor of a daily newspaper, “Americus Times-Recorder” (by February 1896, she was only one in entire South).

    In October 1933, Tri-County News with E.L. Gammage, business manager, and Harry P. Leadingham, editor, was established as weekly competition for Times-Recorder.

    The Americus Times-Recorder ahs withstood the test of time. It was owned for many years by the Blair family after which it was purchased by Thomson Newspapers in the mid-1980w.

    In February 1999, the newspaper changed ownership again, when it was purchased by Community Newspapers Holdings Inc.

    On Aug. 1, 2015, the newspaper was purchased by Boone Newspapers Inc.

    Circulation

    3,000

    Internet Presence

    www.americustimesrecorder.com

    Awards

    The Americus Times-Recorder is a consistent winner in the Georgia Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest. In addition, the staff has won numerous state and regional awards for writing and photography.

  • Market

    Located in Sourhwest Georgia, Sumter County boasts two national historic sites as well as former U.S. President Jimmy Carter as a resident. Bordered on the east by the Flint River, local residents and visitors seek recreation on Lake Blackshear.

    Geographic Location

    Sumter County is about 134 miles south of Atlanta.

    Population (2010)

    Total immediate market: 32,819

    City of Americus: 17,041

    Climate

    The South is known for its warm, humid summers and Sumter County enjoys moderate temperatures year-round. The average high for January is 38 degrees F. while the average high for July is 91 degrees F. Sumter County receives an average of 48 inches of rainfall each year.

    Major employers

    Health care, tourism, agricultural, education.

    Education

    Americus, the county seat, is home to several schools — public, private and post-secondary. The Sumter County School System has eight schools. Southland Academy is the local private school. The county also is home to Georgia Southwestern State University and South Georgia Technical College.

    Culture

    Sumter County offers the opportunity for involvement in social and civic activities throughout the year. Both Americus and Plains have many antebellum structures that draw visitors all year. Taste of Sumter is held in September, as is the Plains Peanut Festival. The Andersonville Historic Fair, sponsored by the Andersonville Trail Association, is held the first weekend of October each year. Many events and activities revolve around the Andersonville National Historic Site and the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site.

    Recreation

    Golf, boating, fishing, hunting, bicycling.

    Interesting tidbit

    Charles Lindbergh purchase his first airplane, a Jenny, at South Field where he took his first solo flight. Souther Field has been renamed Jimmy Carter Regional Airport.