Monticello’s Square

If you have ever tried to back out of a parking place located around the Monticello Square, you know that all roads must led to Monticello judging from the amount of traffic constantly circling the square.

Georgia highway routes 11, 212, 83 and 16 all converge in our town, bringing all sorts of vehicles from large 18-wheelers using Jasper County as a shortcut between I-75 and I-20 to motorcyclists seeking adventure on the backroads.

Highway 11 stretches the entire length of the state, some 375 miles.

Highway 212 starts outside of Atlanta as Browns Mill Road, then changes to Scott Highway before just becoming Highway 212 and ending in Milledgeville. Highway 83 is part of the old Stage Coach route that started in Augusta and ended in New Orleans.

Highway 16 begins west of Atlanta, going south to Senoia before heading east and ending in Warrenton, some 93 miles.

An old newspaper from the 1940s tells a story about General George Patton moving his troops from Ft. Benning to Virginia via Georgia Highway 16.

The article said Monticello was alerted that the General would be leading his troops through the square. People stood for hours waiting for his arrival. Finally, he arrived in the back of a large truck, he did not disappoint the crowds as he was decked out in his full uniform.

The article said that as the truck entered town it was traveling at the speed limit and never slowed down.

General Patton remained steadfast, not even leaning as the truck made the sharp curve at the square. It took four hours for the entire troop movement to pass through the square.