Planes, Trains & Heroes: A Story of Warner Robins and the Robins Region

Marsha Priest Buzzell, Warner
Robins Convention & Visitors
Bureau director.
On March 5, 1943 a bill passed through the Georgia State Legislature incorporating a
new municipality in middle Georgia. Originally known as York, then Wellston, the
community was officially named Warner Robins after General Augustine Warner Robins.
What was described in Atlanta newspapers as “a city of destiny”, the citizens and work
force today can proudly celebrate the 75th Diamond Anniversary of “keeping them flying
since 1943”.
Planes, Trains & Heroes is a tribute to the Warner Robins community whose reputation
for Southern hospitality is legendary by living the motto Every Day in Middle Georgia
is Armed Forces Appreciation Day – EDIMGIAFAD! It began when troops and civilians
arrived, often by train, to serve at what is now Robins Air Force Base. A rural Georgia
farming community grew from supporting the World War II effort into one of the largest
industrial complexes in the state.
Today, the historic train depot is the E. L. Greenway Welcome Center, whose namesake
was instrumental in the planning and zoning of the City of Warner Robins. It stands on
the corner of Watson Boulevard, named after C. B. “Boss” Watson, the first mayor (1943-
1950), and Armed Forces Boulevard (formerly First Street) directly across from the Main
Gate of Robins Air Force Base. Standing as a legacy, the property is listed on the National
Register of Historic Places and includes the Elberta Depot Heritage Center, the authentic
Mildred’s Country Store, and a historic Southern Railroad Caboose.
The book project is a partnership of the City of Warner Robins, the Warner Robins
Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Museum of Aviation, Robins Air Force Base, Robins
Region Chamber of Commerce and the Warner Robins Oral History Project. An
advocate of preserving Georgia’s history, culture and folklore, author Dianne Wilcox
continues the story Planes, Trains & Heroes. Truly the rest is history.
We salute the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. Thank you and your
families for your service and sacrifices as defenders of freedom.
128 ✦ PLANES, TRAINS & HEROES