Sumter County was created in 1831 from a portion of Lee County and was named for General Thomas Sumter of South Carolina, a soldier of the French and Indian Wars as well as the American Revolution.

The Town of Andersonville has won a Phoenix Award for Preservation, Conservation and Beautification. The site of the Civil War prison camp that bore the community’s name is in nearby Macon County.

Charles Lindbergh learned to fly in Sumter County. Mr. Lindbergh bought a military surplus “Jenny” aircraft in the county and had it assembled at Southern Field. Mechanics there gave him flying lessons and saw him off on his first solo flight.

Communities in Sumter County include Americus, Andersonville, Cobb De Soto, Leslie, and Plains.