Shellman is an agricultural hub in rural southwest Georgia
Towering grain silos painted with bright murals welcome residents home to Shellman. The southwest Georgia city began as a sleepy railroad stop and evolved into an agricultural hub known mainly for peanuts, cotton and corn. Today, it’s also home to Southwest Georgia (SOWEGA) STEM Charter School, which draws a competitive number of applicants. “It’s really quiet, we have nice parks for the children, and we’re up-and-coming with the charter school,” says Angela Graham, chief administrative officer for the City of Shellman. The Shellman Historic District, a relic of the community’s early development and history, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
Rural outskirts feature fields, forests and larger properties
Near Shellman’s center, historic cottages and bungalows sit on small shaded lots. Properties in these areas typically measure one-third to a full acre. On the outskirts of town toward rural communities like Brooksville and Martin Crossroads, fields and forests dominate the landscape, and most properties include more acreage. Paved sidewalks border the main roads but become rare on the narrower side streets. Sales in the area are limited, but an investment property recently sold for about $50,000, and a renovated late-19th-century cottage sold for around $200,000. When homes come up for sale, they can stay on the market for nearly 250 days, about 5 times the national average.
Chelsea’s Fountain Memorial Park honors a Shellman native
Chelsea’s Fountain Memorial Park is in a sun-dappled grove between City Hall and the old train depot. The namesake fountain, a tribute to Shellman native Chelsea Langford, is one of the town’s most notable landmarks. Sturdy picnic tables provide seating in the shade, and the adjacent playground sits next to the railroad tracks and grain silos.
Southwest Georgia is prime territory for deer and quail hunting. Nearby lodges like The Southern Residence and Piney Creek Plantation offer guided trips, lodging and hearty homestyle cooking.
Home of Southwest Georgia STEM Charter School
Randolph County Elementary School and Randolph Clay Middle School both receive Niche grades of D-plus. Students at the C-minus-rated Randolph Clay High School can participate in the Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) program and obtain credentials to boost their employment opportunities. All three schools are a short drive away in Cuthbert.
Southwest Georgia (SOWEGA) STEM Charter School is a public charter school that receives a B-minus from Niche. All age-eligible applicants with Georgia addresses have an equal chance of being admitted to the school, which serves students from prekindergarten through Grade 12. If the number of applicants exceeds the number of open positions, the school holds a lottery to determine enrollment.
Groceries, gas and Southern fare near Shellman’s town center
Locals find several shops and restaurants near Shellman’s town center. Groceries are available at Brumby Farms IGA, where drivers fuel up at the onsite gas station. Shellman Auto Parts and hardware store Curry Co. are also nearby. The Back Porch Steak & Seafood on Buford Street has built a strong local following with Southern favorites like fried chicken, pot pie and peach cobbler. Dollar General opened a location on U.S. Route 82 in fall 2022, bringing additional commerce and job opportunities to the area. More restaurants and retail can be found 10 miles away in Cuthbert.
U.S. Route 82 leads to nearby Cuthbert and Albany
Shellman’s population hovers around 1,000, but agricultural companies like Peerless Manufacturing and Shellman Peanut & Grain draw workers from surrounding communities. Route 82 leads 10 miles west to Cuthbert, home of Southwest Georgia Regional Medical Center. The highway also paves the way for the 35-mile drive to Albany and Southwest Georgia Regional Airport, which offers flights to Atlanta three times per day.
The Brotherhood at First Baptist Church serves the community
Several churches serve the local community. Shellman First United Methodist Church is across the street from Chelsea’s Fountain, and an imposing white-brick edifice with arched stained-glass windows welcomes parishioners to First Baptist Church. “First Baptist Church has a group called The Brotherhood that does a lot of stuff for the community — back-to-school drives, helping the elderly,” Graham says.
June Fest and Boudleaux Bryant Festival bring Shellman to life
Shellman kicks off the summer season with June Fest, a two-day celebration held early in the month. “We have kickball tournaments, car and bike shows, and vendors out selling their stuff,” Graham says. October’s Boudleaux Bryant Festival celebrates the songwriter and Shellman native with a barbecue competition, cornhole tournament and fiddling contest.
