Former President Jimmy Carter may have only served one term as governor, but he left his mark in many ways before leaving for Washington, even literally. With a pencil, Carter signed the desk in the governor’s ceremonial office,

The mythology of Jimmy Carter begins and ends in Plains, but roughly 150 miles away is Atlanta, a city just as essential to understanding the life of the 39th president.

McPherson recalled visiting Plains with his aunt and uncle during Carter’s presidential campaign and meeting Carter’s brother, Billy, at his service station. He also recalled meeting Carter at Mom’s Kitchen in Preston, about 10 miles west of Plains, and on a flight back to Atlanta from Billings, Montana.