Andersonville Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Escape tunnels were a common way of trying to escape. But Andersonville was miles away from any major town, and the large field the camp was located in made it difficult to be unnoticed as you tried to tunnel hundreds of yards. There are two tunnels on site still visible to this day.
Escape tunnels were a common way of trying to escape. But Andersonville was miles away from any major town, and the large field the camp was located in made it difficult to be unnoticed as you tried to tunnel hundreds of yards. There are two tunnels on site still visible to this day.
Authorized in 1903 and dedicated on 17 October 1907, the Wisconsin monument is located at the northwest corner of the stockade and more or less dominates the prison site landscape. It is constructed of Georgia granite, the top being surmounted by a large American eagle cast in bronze.
President Jimmy Carter, who had worked toward's Andersonville's inclusion in the National Park System, encouraged the State of Georgia to place a monument at the park. Dedicated on Memorial Day 1976, the Georgia Monument serves as a memorial to all American prisoners of war. In his own words, sculptor William Thompson described his imagery and intent in designing the Georgia Monument: In creating a sculpture for Andersonville National Historic Site, it was my intention to design a monument which is sculpturally strong and humanly moving. This sculpture is dedicated to all American prisoners involved in all American wars over our country's birth up to the present. The sculpture is designed to have a universal quality, and no reference to any particular uniform or specific details have been made. The accent has been placed on the inner struggle and strength of the prisoners. The statue is intended to speak directly to the viewer in its formal sculpture statement, and about the strength of brotherhood and man's dependence upon God, in its symbolism. The placement of the figures marching in a broken line is to call to mind the formations that all prison camps require. The placement of the prisoners on the incline plane of the granite base emphasizes the fact that it is an uphill struggle just to survive under prison camp conditions. These men have exhausted their human resources and now look beyond one another to God for strength. (Note description on the base.) The two figures in front are united by the overlapping of their arms, which accent the supportive nature of the group. The support of a fellow prisoner often made the difference between life and death, and the sculpture composition and gesture of the monument is to bring this fact into dramatic focus. Men are often captured as a result of their battle wounds, and others develop maladies and injuries during their imprisonment, therefore, I decided to depict my prisoners with wounds.
You are looking at what would be the main body of the prison, now just a field. This field has monuments thought along with a museum on the north lawn and information everywhere that gives insight to the living conditions, history, and representation of where the walls were originally. This place is eerily unique and gives an amazing account of our country's sometimes pained past. Possibly the worst prison of the Civil war. The prison, which opened in February 1864, originally covered about 16.5 acres of land enclosed by a 15-foot high stockade. In June 1864 it was enlarged to 26.5 acres. The stockade was in the shape of a rectangle 1,620 feet by 779 feet. At Andersonville, a light fence known as "the dead line" was erected approximately 19 feet inside the stockade wall. It demarcated a no-man's land that kept prisoners away from the stockade wall, which was made of rough-hewn logs about 16 feet high. As was the similar fate facing Confederate prisoners in Northern camps which employed the same "dead line" fence, anyone crossing or even touching this line was shot without further command of any kind by sentries located in the pigeon roosts.
Windsor Hotel, an Ascend Collection Hotel

Windsor Hotel, an Ascend Collection Hotel

3 out of 5
125 W Lamar St Americus GA
The price is ₹10,517 per night from 15 Feb to 16 Feb
₹10,517
₹12,553 total
15 Feb - 16 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Americus. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the comfy rooms in their reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
Comfy bed and wonderfully quiet

Reviewed on 10 Jan 2026

Windsor Hotel, an Ascend Collection Hotel
Days Inn by Wyndham Americus

Days Inn by Wyndham Americus

2.5 out of 5
1605 E Lamar Street Americus GA
The price is ₹7,238 per night from 1 Feb to 2 Feb
₹7,238
₹8,782 total
1 Feb - 2 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly motel in Americus. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.2/10 Good! (600 reviews)
Yes the room was clean and the staff was friendly

Reviewed on 20 Jan 2026

Days Inn by Wyndham Americus
Quality Inn Americus

Quality Inn Americus

2.5 out of 5
1205 S Martin Luther King Blvd Americus GA
The price is ₹5,810 per night from 15 Feb to 16 Feb
₹5,810
₹7,139 total
15 Feb - 16 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Americus. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (438 reviews)
Everything worked great, all staff was super nice.

Reviewed on 20 Dec 2025

Quality Inn Americus
See all 57 properties in Andersonville
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Relaxing Buena Vista Getaway w/ Lush Lake Views

Relaxing Buena Vista Getaway w/ Lush Lake Views

3 out of 5
Buena Vista GA
Stay at this cottage in Buena Vista. Enjoy free parking and air conditioning.
Relaxing Buena Vista Getaway w/ Lush Lake Views
Buena Vista Cabin: Tranquil Haven Near Town Square

Buena Vista Cabin: Tranquil Haven Near Town Square

3 out of 5
Buena Vista GA
Stay at this cottage in Buena Vista. Enjoy free parking and air conditioning.
Buena Vista Cabin: Tranquil Haven Near Town Square
Quiet Ellaville Home w/ Patio + Outdoor Dining!

Quiet Ellaville Home w/ Patio + Outdoor Dining!

3 out of 5
34 Pine St Ellaville GA
Stay at this cottage in Ellaville. Enjoy free parking, in-room fireplaces and air conditioning.
Quiet Ellaville Home w/ Patio + Outdoor Dining!
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Drummer Boy Museum

You can browse the exhibits at Drummer Boy Museum, a museum with a story of its own, during your travels to Andersonville. Savour the area's restaurants and bars.

Drummer Boy Museum

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