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The Importance of
Commercial Truck Insurance in Milledgeville, GA
- Let's face it - truckers in America have always been the backbone of our great country. They still are in modern times. On any given day, thousands of trucks traverse our highways and local roads, delivering goods and products on time so that businesses and consumers have what they need to live life. And while commercial trucking can be an incredibly lucrative way to make a living and put food on the table, it can also be risky and expensive.
- Whether you're the owner of a fleet, an independent trucker, or have a business that uses big rigs to transport goods, you need commercial trucking insurance to protect you and your client's investments, shield you from liability, and more.
- That's where working with a reliable truck insurance agency comes into play. Unfortunately, for many commercial truck insurance providers, serving the needs of truckers is low on the proverbial totem pole. At Independence Insurance Agency, nothing could be further from the truth.
Service Areas
The Commercial Truck
Insurance Agency in Milledgeville, GA You Can Trust
Much like you pride yourself on running a successful trucking business, Independence Insurance Agency prides itself on its years of experience providing truck insurance for hardworking men and women across the country. And in our experience, insurance rates for truckers are just too high - so high, in fact, that they eat away at their bottom line, making it more difficult to run a business and make a profit. Fortunately, at Independence Insurance Agency, we provide truckers the freedom they need from astronomically high insurance rates so they can stay on the road and keep driving America forward.
As one of the most trusted commercial trucking insurance agencies in the U.S., we understand the challenges that you face daily as a trucker. We also know how important it is to protect your business. That's why we go above and beyond to find you the best-priced coverage available, whether you're an operator, own a small fleet, a large fleet, or something in between.
We Put Truckers First Because Others Don't
Truckers across the country choose to work with Independence Insurance Agency because we put their needs first before anything else. As experts in transportation insurance, we proudly offer a range of quality insurance products that are both practical and affordable for them. Our industry-leading carriers provide coverage that caters to the unique challenges faced by the trucking industry, ensuring that your business is protected at all times.
At our core, we are committed to finding the best possible price for your coverage without compromising the quality of service you deserve. The truth is, we understand how essential truckers are to the United States and take pride in making their insurance experience more streamlined and affordable.
One way we do so is by simplifying the insurance process. Our transportation specialists take the time to understand your specific needs and budget to tailor a comprehensive plan that works for you. You won't ever have to worry about cookie-cutter plans or uninterested agents when you work with our commercial trucking insurance agency. We take an educational approach to ensure that the entire big rig insurance process is quick, painless, and easy to understand. If there's something you don't understand, we're happy to take the time to explain. After all, the success and safety of your business are on the line.
Looking to the future, we are committed to providing innovative new products that cater to the ever-changing needs of truck drivers. As your one-stop shop for commercial trucking insurance, we are dedicated to your success, one policy at a time.
If you're a commercial trucker looking to ensure your rig, you can rest easy knowing that Independence Insurance Agency provides:
- Affordable Trucking Insurance Plans for Any Budget
- Exemplary Customer Service
- Seasoned Transportation Specialists Who Customize Plans to Your Needs
- A+ Carriers Across the Country
- Simple, Easy Quote and Bind Process
- Multiple Insurance Carriers Quoted to Find You the Best Rates
- Truck Insurance for New Ventures
Call us or send us a message today to learn more about the best 18-wheeler insurance options for your trucking business.
The Commercial Truck
Common Types of Big Rig Truck Insurance in Milledgeville, GA
At Independence Insurance Agency, we offer several types of insurance coverage for local, intermediate, and long-haul trucking needs. Here are just a few categories of trucking insurance coverage that our agency offers.
As the foundation of your insurance policy, liability coverage is required by law in most states in the U.S. It provides coverage for damage or injuries caused to properties or other people if your 18-wheeler is responsible for the crash. Without liability coverage, it's almost impossible to drive a truck or run a trucking business without major legal consequences.
Having physical damage coverage is an essential component that shouldn't be overlooked. This insurance is responsible for covering the expenses related to repairing or replacing your truck in situations such as accidents, theft, vandalism, and other damaging events. By having this coverage, you can rest assured that your business won't be affected significantly by unexpected incidents, and you can continue running your operations smoothly even in challenging times.
For trucking companies, the goods they transport are crucial to their operations. To protect these goods from damage, loss, or theft while in transit, cargo insurance is essential. This coverage provides much-needed peace of mind for both you and your clients, allowing you to reimburse clients for any losses sustained while protecting your reputation and brand identity.
Non-Trucking Liability Insurance is designed to cover property damage or bodily injury that may occur during personal time when the driver/truck is not under dispatch. This coverage can be applied with or without a trailer and is added to a commercial policy as an endorsement.
While Independence Insurance Agency has built a reputation of excellence in serving the needs of truckers, we also offer general liability. Also known as Truckers General Liability, this coverage insures for bodily injuries or property damage that happen due to business activities that are NOT the cause of operating a truck. It covers accidents that occur in parking lots, rest stops, also while loading or unloading. General liability can also cover losses related to theft and vandalism. Most brokers and shippers will require this coverage to work with you.
Bobtail insurance is a type of coverage that is comparable to non-trucking liability, which is designed to offer protection when driving a truck without a trailer attached. This is commonly referred to as "bobtailing." With bobtail insurance, the tractor is covered at all times, even when it is not attached to a trailer, regardless of whether or not the truck is under dispatch.
Trailer interchange insurance is a must-have if you're involved in a trailer interchange agreement. This essential coverage offers protection for trailers owned by other parties that you're using under a contractual agreement. It covers damages caused by collisions, fire, theft, and vandalism, providing assurance to all parties involved.
Curious whether our commercial truck insurance agency in cityname, state offers additional coverage? The following options can be bound in your insurance policy:
- Business Interruption Insurance
- Reefer Breakdown Insurance
- Occupational Accident with Contract Liability Insurance
- Rental Reimbursement Insurance
- Underinsured or Uninsured Motorist Insurance
- Towing Insurance
- Electronics Insurance
- Much More
3 Safe Driving Tips to
Lower the Cost of Truck Insurance in Milledgeville, GA
Keeping your drivers safe on the road is crucial not only for their own well-being but also for the safety of other motorists and the financial stability of your business. The Department of Labor has identified the trucking industry as one of the most hazardous sectors in the U.S. In fact, trucking and logistics fleets are known for their high injury and fatality rates. By improving how safely your truckers drive, you can help reduce expenses related to claim payouts, accidents, and insurance premium hikes.
Whether you own a large fleet or you're the owner and operator of a single rig, keep these safe driving tips in mind to help lower your insurance costs.
Implement Preventative Maintenance Plans
Ensuring the safety of your drivers begins with the safety of their vehicles. Trucks and tractor-trailers that do not receive regular maintenance, such as oil and brake pad changes, are more likely to experience breakdowns while on the road. Telematics devices provide real-time insight into engine and odometer data, including fault codes.
This information enables your mechanics to create comprehensive preventative maintenance schedules based on mileage, history of previous breakdowns, days, and more. Additionally, they can receive immediate notifications for critical fault codes. By implementing routine maintenance and proactive repair schedules, you can ensure that your vehicles are in top condition, minimizing the likelihood of breakdowns, which can help reduce the cost of trucker insurance.
Call NowPractice Defensive Driving
This approach aims to mitigate the risk of fatal crashes and injuries by proactively identifying and responding to potentially dangerous situations and making informed decisions while driving. By adopting defensive driving techniques, drivers can reduce their likelihood of accidents, thereby minimizing the need for expensive repairs, claim payouts, and increased insurance premiums.
Some of the easiest ways for you or your drivers to practice safe driving include:
- Be Wary of Blind Spots: Operating a reefer or tractor-trailer means driving high off of the ground, which can make visibility limited, especially in blind spots. To check your blind spot, look over your shoulder and out of your windows while changing lanes.
- Be Ready for Emergencies on the Road: It's important for drivers to be ready for unexpected situations when driving, especially during long trips. They should be equipped to handle emergencies such as poor driving conditions or big rig breakdowns.
- Use the Three-Second Rule: Truck drivers should try to maintain a three-second gap between their vehicle and the car in front of them. This means that the truck driver should reach a certain point on the road three seconds after the car in front of them has passed that same point.
- Always Use Right and Left Turn Indicators: It's important for drivers to always use their turn signals when changing lanes or exiting highways, even if they don't see any other cars around. This is not only required by law, but it also reduces the chances of accidents occurring on the road.
Find Ways to Prevent Distracted Driving
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), distracted driving is the primary reason behind truck driver accidents. Any activity that takes a driver's attention away from the road or the steering wheel is considered distracted driving. Distractions can come in various forms, such as eating while driving or gazing at a billboard outside the window. However, the most frequent form of distracted driving is the use of cellphones, specifically texting while driving.
Assuming you or your driver's rigs are equipped with dual-facing cameras, try reviewing footage of an unsafe driving incident. Coach your drivers on ways to correct their unsafe behaviors or look up ways to do so yourself if you're the one operating the big rig. The bottom line is that when your drivers aren't distracted, they drive safer. And when they drive safer, the cost of 18-wheeler insurance in cityname, state can be reduced.
Call NowEnsuring the safety of your drivers begins with the safety of their vehicles. Trucks and tractor-trailers that do not receive regular maintenance, such as oil and brake pad changes, are more likely to experience breakdowns while on the road. Telematics devices provide real-time insight into engine and odometer data, including fault codes.
This information enables your mechanics to create comprehensive preventative maintenance schedules based on mileage, history of previous breakdowns, days, and more. Additionally, they can receive immediate notifications for critical fault codes. By implementing routine maintenance and proactive repair schedules, you can ensure that your vehicles are in top condition, minimizing the likelihood of breakdowns, which can help reduce the cost of trucker insurance.
Call NowThis approach aims to mitigate the risk of fatal crashes and injuries by proactively identifying and responding to potentially dangerous situations and making informed decisions while driving. By adopting defensive driving techniques, drivers can reduce their likelihood of accidents, thereby minimizing the need for expensive repairs, claim payouts, and increased insurance premiums.
Some of the easiest ways for you or your drivers to practice safe driving include:
- Be Wary of Blind Spots: Operating a reefer or tractor-trailer means driving high off of the ground, which can make visibility limited, especially in blind spots. To check your blind spot, look over your shoulder and out of your windows while changing lanes.
- Be Ready for Emergencies on the Road: It's important for drivers to be ready for unexpected situations when driving, especially during long trips. They should be equipped to handle emergencies such as poor driving conditions or big rig breakdowns.
- Use the Three-Second Rule: Truck drivers should try to maintain a three-second gap between their vehicle and the car in front of them. This means that the truck driver should reach a certain point on the road three seconds after the car in front of them has passed that same point.
- Always Use Right and Left Turn Indicators: It's important for drivers to always use their turn signals when changing lanes or exiting highways, even if they don't see any other cars around. This is not only required by law, but it also reduces the chances of accidents occurring on the road.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), distracted driving is the primary reason behind truck driver accidents. Any activity that takes a driver's attention away from the road or the steering wheel is considered distracted driving. Distractions can come in various forms, such as eating while driving or gazing at a billboard outside the window. However, the most frequent form of distracted driving is the use of cellphones, specifically texting while driving.
Assuming you or your driver's rigs are equipped with dual-facing cameras, try reviewing footage of an unsafe driving incident. Coach your drivers on ways to correct their unsafe behaviors or look up ways to do so yourself if you're the one operating the big rig. The bottom line is that when your drivers aren't distracted, they drive safer. And when they drive safer, the cost of 18-wheeler insurance in cityname, state can be reduced.
Call NowFAQs About
Independence Insurance Agency
If you're looking for a commercial trucking insurance agency for your business, chances are you have some questions - and we've got answers. Keep reading to learn more about some of the most commonly asked questions we hear from truckers like you.
Why go with a "jack of all trades" when you can work with specialists who focus exclusively on transportation insurance? We have excellent relationships with major trucking insurance carriers and, as such, can provide the best assistance and reasonable rates.
Typically, companies will look at claims that date back three years or less.
We proudly work with more than 20 carriers to provide our clients with the most advantageous options at competitive prices, catering to the needs of owner-operators and big fleets alike.
Permit filings are typically done by insurance companies on the next business day. Federal (FMCSA) filings are completed online and updated immediately, while some states may take up to three weeks to process.
Independence Insurance Agency: Committed to the Trucking Industry
There's no question about it - you've got to protect your staff, your rig, and your trucking business with insurance. But choosing the right insurance partner isn't always easy. Thankfully, with Independence Insurance Agency by your side, you can rest easy knowing you're covered no matter where the road takes you. If you're in need of a commercial truck insurance agency in Milledgeville, GA that caters to truckers like you, pick up the phone and contact one of our transportation specialists today. That way, you can get back on the road with confidence tomorrow.
Latest News in Milledgeville, GA
Milledgeville spared from the most potent parts of "potent storm"
Baldwin2Khttps://baldwin2k.com/g/milledgeville-ga/n/233288/water
Fortunately, the much-hyped "potent storm" that began Monday night ultimately wasn't as potent as previously predicted.Conditions were ripe for a tornado, but Baldwin County never experienced any tornado-like winds, according to Emergency Management Agency Director Wayne Johnson. However, the winds were strong enough to down enough trees to cause prolonged power outages. Roughly 3,000 local customers were without power at various points of the day, according to Johnson.Creeks rose following heavy rain. Three floodgate...
Fortunately, the much-hyped "potent storm" that began Monday night ultimately wasn't as potent as previously predicted.
Conditions were ripe for a tornado, but Baldwin County never experienced any tornado-like winds, according to Emergency Management Agency Director Wayne Johnson. However, the winds were strong enough to down enough trees to cause prolonged power outages. Roughly 3,000 local customers were without power at various points of the day, according to Johnson.
Creeks rose following heavy rain. Three floodgates opened at the dam. Several Baldwin2k reported receiving three inches of rain, while two readers counted closer to five inches in their respective rain gauges.
There have been three confirmed torandoes in Baldwin County in the last seven years, including the one that barrelled along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Barrows Ferry Road last April. Last spring's seven-mile-long tornado, according to the National Weather Service, began in the Wray Homes/West End projects before widening out and barreling past the new health department and Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin. The tornado, which was roughly 250 yards wide at its widest point, then followed along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and over North Jefferson Street. After battering parts of the Graham Homes/Boddie projects and Barrows Ferry Road, the tornado crossed the river and across Lake Laurel Road and Black Springs Road. The National Weather Service classified the tornado as an EF-1, which equals wind speeds between 86-110 miles per hour. An EF-1 is the second-lowest category behind EF-0. The scale goes from 0-5, with an EF-5 tornado equalling wind speeds of 200-322 miles per hour.
A piece of sheet metal hangs from a telephone poll in front of CVS at the corner of North Jefferson and MLK following last April's tornado.
The restaurant sign in front of Ms. Stella's took a topple in the storm following last April's tornado.
A home on West Mitchell Street took a hit from a hardwood tree following last April's tornado.
One of the gas pumps at the convenience store across from Goodie Gallery was completely uprooted following last April's tornado.
Multiple roofs at the Northside Baptist Church property were compromised following last April's tornado.
WNB Factory plans to open this month in Big Lots shopping center
Baldwin2Khttps://baldwin2k.com/g/milledgeville-ga/n/213488/wnb-factory-plans-open-month-big-lots-shopping-center
The restaurant has been built out. Hiring is underway. At this point, there's only a few more building inspections and then WNB Factory will be ready to open here in Milledgeville.Located in one of the corner parcels in the Big Lots Shopping Center, WNB Factory will offer a relatively wide variety of menu options, including cheesesteaks, fried rice, numerous plant-based menu items and, of course, "wings n burgers." At its core, though, the franchise is a "craft burger kind of concept," according to Robert ...
The restaurant has been built out. Hiring is underway. At this point, there's only a few more building inspections and then WNB Factory will be ready to open here in Milledgeville.
Located in one of the corner parcels in the Big Lots Shopping Center, WNB Factory will offer a relatively wide variety of menu options, including cheesesteaks, fried rice, numerous plant-based menu items and, of course, "wings n burgers." At its core, though, the franchise is a "craft burger kind of concept," according to Robert Bales, the company's vice president and chief operating officer.
"It's all certified angus beef. We do smash burgers. We like to think of our burgers as 'upper-scale burgers,' but we also try very hard to keep our price points in line with the other restaurants in town," he said, adding that "the burgers will start at $5.99."
One of the franchisees of the Milledgeville WNB Factory is Allisha Gray, who's probably the best female basketball player ever to come out of this part of Georgia. Gray was a middle Georgia basketball legend at Washington County High School, where she only lost four games during her entire high school career and averaged 32 points per game during the 2010-2011 season, leading Waco to a state title. Gray then went off to college and won a college national championship at South Carolina and was the fourth overall pick in 2017 WNBA draft. She also is an Olympic gold medalist.
Off the court, meanwhile, Gray also is making history, as she will become one of only a small handful of African-American female restaurant franchisees in Georgia.
The local WNB Factory is a family affair. Brother A.J. Gray also is one of the other franchisees and will oversee the Milledgeville restaurant. A.J. Gray also was an elite athlete, once scoring five touchdowns in the first half against Baldwin while quarterbacking the Golden Hawks. Gray then went on to start in the secondary in college for Georgia Tech. Meanwhile, the third franchisee is Tim Mangum, Jr., who is Allisha's boyfriend.
Al Bundy once scored four touchdowns in one game against Andrew Johnson High, while A.J. Gray once scored five touchdowns just in the first half against Baldwin High!
WNB Factory is targeting Sept. 19 for a "soft opening" in Milledgeville, although nothing has been set in stone. The restaurant will seat 45 and eventually will file for a "beer and wine license" with the city government.
It's not immediately clear if the franchise's Milledgeville location will have the exact same prices as its two in Macon. For whatever it's worth, however, HERE is the Macon menu and prices.
WNB Factory also will offer carryout and direct delivery, while also partnering with all of the different third-party delivery services here in Milledgeville, according to Bales.
Frat kid house busted; "large amounts" of shrooms and marijuana recovered
Baldwin2Khttps://baldwin2k.com/g/milledgeville-ga/n/240549/awedrasdf
Whatever some members of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at Georgia College had planned for Alumni Weekend, it definitely wasn't this.The Ocmulgee Drug Task Force, assisted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Middle Georgia Gang Task Force and local law enforcement, executed a search warrant at 321 West Montgomery St. last Friday night, which coincided with the start of Alumni Weekend at GCSU, always one of the biggest party weekends of the year.The large home isn’t technically affiliated with the national cha...
Whatever some members of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at Georgia College had planned for Alumni Weekend, it definitely wasn't this.
The Ocmulgee Drug Task Force, assisted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Middle Georgia Gang Task Force and local law enforcement, executed a search warrant at 321 West Montgomery St. last Friday night, which coincided with the start of Alumni Weekend at GCSU, always one of the biggest party weekends of the year.
The large home isn’t technically affiliated with the national chapter of the fraternity, although around here it’s the de facto “Pike House.”
Certain drug busts involve long hours and weeks of planning, while others just sort of fall into law enforcement's lap. The latter happened here, as a representative from one of the parcel services reportedly tipped off law enforcement about a possible large delivery of drugs to the residence at 321 West Montgomery St. Law enforcement rallied, raiding the house and locating "a large amount of suspected marijuana, THC Vape cartridges, THC gummies, THC wax, and suspected mushrooms (Psilocybin)," according to a GBI press release.
Drew Charles Courtenay, 19, easily is facing the most serious charges – possession of a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance with intent to distribute, as well as possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. Courtenay, pictured at top and on the left, was listed with an address in the 400 block of West Montgomery. Joseph Lombardi, 20, was booked on one count of possession of a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance. Lombardi, pictured at top and in the middle, was listed with a nearby West Montgomery Street adress. Meanwhile, Noah Petrick, 21, was charged with possession of cocaine. Petrick was the only one who lived at the frat house, according to arrest reports.
"Further arrests are pending," added the GBI press release.
Added the release: "If anyone has information about this investigation, please contact the Middle Georgia Gang Task Force at 478-414-5997 or the MGGTF Macon Office at 478-207-1301.Tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS(8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app."
TPLOST easily passes in Milledgeville/Baldwin County
Baldwin2Khttps://baldwin2k.com/g/milledgeville-ga/n/223979/tplost-easily-passes-milledgevillebaldwin-county
Voters have approved a TSPLOST referendum by nearly a 3-to-1 margin.Turnout was predictably low. Out of the 25,904 registered voters in Baldwin County, 23,039 of them didn't vote. The final tally was 2,120 "yes" votes (74.07 percent) and 742 "no" votes (25.93 percent).The new TSPLOST goes into effect on April 1, 2024, which is when the local sales tax will increase from 7 cents to 8 cents.Baldwin County has had a "school SPLOST" and a "local government SPLOST" for more than 30 year...
Voters have approved a TSPLOST referendum by nearly a 3-to-1 margin.
Turnout was predictably low. Out of the 25,904 registered voters in Baldwin County, 23,039 of them didn't vote. The final tally was 2,120 "yes" votes (74.07 percent) and 742 "no" votes (25.93 percent).
The new TSPLOST goes into effect on April 1, 2024, which is when the local sales tax will increase from 7 cents to 8 cents.
Baldwin County has had a "school SPLOST" and a "local government SPLOST" for more than 30 years now, although the new "transportation SPLOST" will be a new concept around here. TSPLOST is expected to raise roughly $45 million over a span of five years for road repairs and other transportation projects.
TSPLOST revenues will be divvied between the county commission and the Milledgeville City Council. The county government previously released its list of "county roads" that would benefit from TSPOST, hitting many of the high notes, like Lake Laurel Road and Log Cabin Road. County Manager Carlos Tobar said that the goal is either to resurface every road on the list and in some cases repair the road base prior to resurfacing.
"You have to make sure that the base is solid before you resurface," he said.
Below is the list of county roads...
It's an ambitious list, but Tobar said that he's "pretty confident" that every road on the list can be completed within the five-year timeframe. Tobar added that the county also would utilize Local Maintenance & Improvement Grant (LMIG) money from the state, which is basically a 50-50 match from the Georgia Department of Transportation.
So, which roads on the list would be fixed first? If TSPLOST passes, Tobar said that the county commissioners will "prioritize" the list. Tobar added that it likely would be "prioritized" by some combination of the most traveled roads and the roads most in need of repair.
THE "CITY" LIST
CLICK HERE to view City Hall's most recent "street resurfacing ratings" list, which was compiled by an engineer and recently released to the public. It's an especially long list (11 pages worth), and there's a lot to read. While perusing, keep in mind that the higher the "rating number," the sooner that that stretch of road would be repaired.
Former employee remembers history of Green building at Central State Hospital
WMAZhttps://www.13wmaz.com/article/news/local/remembering-milledgeville-history-central-state-hospital/93-d54f26a9-96c1-4bc9-a963-31e26a88aa1b
In July, Governor Brian Kemp signed an executive order to demolish three buildings at Central State Hospital: the Green, the Jones, and Walker buildings.MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — It’s had many names. The State Lunatic Asylum, The Georgia State Sanitarium, The Milledgeville State Hospital, and finally Central State Hospital.The campus opened in 1842 becoming the world's largest mental hospital. The state closed it officially in 2010 and now some of it will disappear.In July, Governor Brian Kemp ...
In July, Governor Brian Kemp signed an executive order to demolish three buildings at Central State Hospital: the Green, the Jones, and Walker buildings.
MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — It’s had many names. The State Lunatic Asylum, The Georgia State Sanitarium, The Milledgeville State Hospital, and finally Central State Hospital.
The campus opened in 1842 becoming the world's largest mental hospital. The state closed it officially in 2010 and now some of it will disappear.
In July, Governor Brian Kemp signed an executive order to demolish three buildings on campus: the Green, the Jones, and the Walker building.
Former interim Executive Director of the Central State Hospital Redevelopment Authority says the state Green Building is a shame. But not just because of the broken windows.
“It's a shame that such a historically significant and architecturally significant building has been left to the elements,” Walter Reynolds said.
Reynolds says the place runs in his DNA.
“I'm actually the fourth generation of my family to work on this campus,” Reynolds said. “My great-grandfather worked in the steam plant, both of my grandmothers were nurses, my great-uncle was the photographer for the campus, and both of my parents worked with the Department of Corrections.”
He says the Green Building is just one piece of the hospital's history.
“It was actually one of the first buildings completed immediately following the Second World War. This would've been open around 1946 and it served as a patient dormitory,” Reynolds said.
He says it was named after the hospital's second superintendent, Dr. Thomas Green.
Credit: 13WMAZ
The plaque describing the Green building can no longer be found in front of it
“They really put an emphasis on making sure the people weren’t unnecessarily restrained or otherwise limited in their ability. They really wanted people to act as normal as possible and really enjoy a quality of life here,” he said.
For around 12,000 patients on campus, there were large dorms, bunk beds, showers, and activity spaces.
“For patients to come and go with relative freedom,” he said.
However, between the 1960s and the 90s, Reynolds says there was a move towards deinstitutionalization.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled people could not be confined just because of a mental illness.
"So, the state was beginning to get out of the mental health care business at that point,” Reynolds said.
Although the building was briefly used in the 90s by the Baldwin School District to teach Head Start, the number of patients decreased and the wings were closed.
“30 years on, there's been no serious maintenance effort for this building,” Reynolds said.
Water damage, decay, graffiti, vandalism, and asbestos have taken over the building.
Reynolds says it's a shame.
“There were so many people that walked these halls. The state had let this go on so long that this building is practically beyond salvage."
Now, he says it's a shame to tear it down because it was once great.
“These tell the story of not only Central State Hospital but Milledgeville as the former capital city. It tells the story of so many individuals who were touched by the mental health care system in this county. Building demolition is a travesty because it means we failed to do something in time,” Reynolds said.
On Monday, 13WMAZ spoke with the State Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disorders, who own the buildings.
They said their next step is to talk to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs' Historic Preservation division, which is required in the demolition order regarding historic preservation.
They said they will not be moving forward with demolition until they get recommendations back.
Reynolds says if you're concerned about the preservation of Central State Hospital's campus, he encourages folks to reach out.
If you'd like to learn more about the buildings and join the community surrounding the campus, the Friends of Central State Hospital Facebook group has almost 12,000 followers.