Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Carlton Fletcher

ALBANY — A number of local history buffs and friends of former Georgia Gov. George Busbee and his family came to a send-off of sorts Tuesday for the Busbees’ Albany home.

Albany businessman Bo Johnson, who spearheaded a campaign to have a historical marker placed at the Busbee home after he purchased the residence three years ago, held an open house at the 325 W. Third Ave. home Tuesday so that area citizens could come in and look around the modest residence.

A steady stream of visitors came by for noon-2 p.m. and 5 p.m.-7 p.m. sessions at the former Busbee home, which is set to become the location of a business on April 25.

“I thought, first of all, that it was amazing how many people who’ve lived in Albany all their lives didn’t know George Busbee was from here when he was elected governor (in 1974),” Johnson said. “And, second, I thought it would be neat for people who, like me, love history to have a chance to see the home and some of the memorabilia associated with it.”

Even though the home will become the site of a CPA firm later in the month, it will again draw attention from the public on May 19 when the Albany-Dougherty Historical Commission and the Thronateeska Heritage Foundation join officials from the Georgia Historical Society for the unveiling of a permanent historical marker memorializing the site.

“I can’t think of anything more appropriate to remember my father by than having a historical marker at the home that we lived in when he was elected governor,” George “Buz” Busbee Jr. said Tuesday as he and his wife, Tammy, welcomed guests to the former Busbee family home. “He would be tickled to death that people like Bo (Johnson) took it upon themselves to do this.

“There are so many people all over the state who had a big part in dad becoming governor — especially local people like Bill Devine and Fred Taylor — and this marker will be an appropriate way to honor their efforts and my dad’s time in the Governor’s Mansion.”

Busbee brought box-loads of photographs, newspaper articles and other memorabilia to the West Third Avenue house Tuesday for the open house. He said he’ll seek a more permanent location for the keepsakes after the marker dedication.

“Look, everyone in the family is proud of what dad did, and we’re all proud of Albany,” Busbee said. “But it doesn’t seem right for me to keep all this stuff stored somewhere when it has historical significance in our state. I hope to find a fitting place to display these items soon.”

Visitors to the open house early Tuesday afternoon had various reasons for their presence, the most prominent of which was their association with the Busbee family.

Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital computer systems technician Jay Yeiser’s wife, Heather Lanier, lived the next block over from the Busbees growing up, and Elizabeth Champion used to drop her younger sister Jan off at the Busbee home to play with Jan Busbee. Alex LaPierre, the programs manager at the Thronateeska Heritage Center, offered information about the part that organization will play in the Busbee tribute planned in May.

Debra Little-Jones, a lifetime Albany resident, said that while she attended school with Jan Busbee, it was the historical significance of the West Third Avenue home that brought her there.

“I worked in state government locally, and a friend and I who were in training in Atlanta ran into the governor one time and had a picture taken with him,” Jones said. “But I love history, and particularly Albany history, so I was excited to come by today.”

Former state Rep. Carol Fullerton and her husband, attorney Greg Fullerton, said their family and political ties to George Busbee and his family brought them to the open house.

“George Busbee was a good man,” Carol Fullerton said. “We were blessed to have him representing our interests in the state government as long as we did.”

Busbee served in the state Legislature for 18 years before he was elected governor in 1974. While in office, he pushed through legislation that allowed him to become the first state governor to serve consecutive terms.

Buz Busbee’s wife, Tammy, said the open house and planned historical marker were “appropriate” ways to honor her late father-in-law.

“I was dating Buz when he lived here, so I remember this house fondly,” she said. “I think the whole family is excited about today’s open house and the marker dedication that’s coming up in May. All of Buz’s siblings couldn’t be here today, but I’ve been face-timing Jan all morning to show her how everything’s set up.

“This is an appropriate tribute to a wonderful man who meant so much to the state of Georgia and the people of Albany.”